Getting in to Sewing Again!

I'll be the first to admit that I have a short attention span, especially when it comes to projects.  For instance, I got tickets to a great play in Phoenix for Christmas, and some lovely lace yarn.  So I decided that I would (finally!) get around to making myself a shawl and wear it to the playhouse.  I crocheted like crazy for a week strait, but didn't manage to finish.  I was so focused on getting it done in time for the play and now....well, I have like half of the edging rows done and haven't touched it in 2 or 3 weeks.

So after making about 2 dozen little amigurumi animals for my shop, stuffing them, embroidering them, embellishing them.....I'm a little burnt out on crocheting.  I'm finally at a point where the horrors of trying to use my very basic Brother sewing machine to make cloth diapers while I was pregnant have faded in to my memory, and I'm starting to get the itch to sew again.  But did I mention that my sewing machine is buried somewhere in the 3rd parking space of my garage, which is still stacked five feet high with boxes from moving?  Oi vey.

I did brush up my hand-sewing skills on the head of a little vintage-inspired teddy bear pattern, but so far only his head is done.  It brought a lot of lovely sewing memories back, and also the memory that plastic safety eyes are a little difficult to place on a sewn item unless you use your measuring tape.  (The result--slightly demented looking crooked-eyed dismembered bear head....but I digress.)

In my quest for a few simple patterns to brush up my machine sewing skills (once said machine is either found in the bowels of my garage, or I simply buy a new one), I came across this great article on Craftster that I had to share.  Nine Great Sewing Projects for Beginners by jungrrl.

I will admit that I did very little studying before I first started to sew in my late teens.  I simply asked for a machine and went at it.  Needless to say, I never learned the proper way to do a few simple tricks, and since it's been nearly 2 years since I touched my machine, I figure now is as good a time as any to start sewing the right way.  Hopefully I will be able to share with you a few little projects and tips on sewing very soon.  In the meantime, I'd love to hear what kind of sewing machine y'all use and love, since this little Brother (if it can be found) will probably be destroyed a la Office Space after the 100th time I have to rewind the bobbin because it ate/snapped my thread.  ;)

Don't judge too harshly....he's a little special.