#upcyling

backstory: I am tall and the sleeves on many of the jackets I have are too short, so I wanted to buy sleeve gloves….then! I miraculously found some similar ones at home but they looked a bit dull for me, so I started with just the crochet additions…. however knowing me, it couldn’t just end there because I have never been a minimalist so I added the bugs :) 🪲

This sock lizard is an unfinished object I've had lying around for at least a year. I've now decided he's having crocheted legs. 6 in total. He still won't be finished after that though 😅

The patches over the toes are actually crochet because the holes were so big I didn't want to darn them. But the pink one got a hole in the crochet recently so I had to repair it again 😅

I want to upgrade it because... you know... NEW and STUFF.

I am planning on using the excuse to my brain (who has crippling buyers remorse and guilt over spending money on myself - side note - there is a limit, anything over £50 is a LOT, but 5x£10 is fine - which is a lil leftover emotional abuse from mum) that it's a happy birthday gift to myself AS WELL AS a "well done for getting that whole weight thing under control".

Shopping online sucks because I love a good "high to low" and there are machines... for regular quilting grannies... that cost like £9k.

thats more than my car cost.

My current machine is 46 stitches, 5mm max stitch length, 40wats and fairly portable (which matters not, it lives in this room) has a LED light and you use the up and down arrows to select a stitch number.

I've used stitches 00, 01 and 02 for zips and 03 for stretch items, and the button hole thing is annoying because it's the four step one and I always manage to fuck it up, but I think thats more on me.

I've made a lot of items on this - I'm making a bag at the moment so a machine that can handle vinyl is also required (this one does, but struggles) I also live far enough away from places that servicing yearly just... isn't possible, but I have taken this apart a few times, cleaned out and oiled it.

I've made a lot on this machine and won't be getting rid of it - I may keep it for the Less Feral Little (TM) in my life, when she masters her lil portable barbie machine.

I spent £230 on my current machine and want to spend under a grand for a new one. I'd LOVE an automatic threader and the little 'thread cut' thing at the end of the line? And a one step button would be good - I have a 4 step one at the moment.

As for decorative stitches? I never use em as I make clothes not quilts, and I don't need an extension table but I do want a free arm because I make dolls things every so often and that small space really helps with sleeves.