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Butterick 5285 and yet another machine

Saturday, May 18

So yes, my sewing machine saga continues. I had a long think about my Nina, and decided that though I liked her, I was not ready to start investing in more machine feet. When I wrote about my new Bernina purchase, Karen suggested I get a walking foot. I went looking for one, and boy was I scandalised by the price. £99? Hell no. All of a sudden, my love for Faffi intensified. You see, Faffi, is a Pfaff Select 4.0, and she comes with the IDT technology, aka built in walking foot. I have really been taking that part of my machine for granted, and just assumed it would be the same in other machines, or even if it wasn't , the foot won't be overly expensive. Boy was I wrong. Do you know what £99 can get me? yes, a trip to Paris on the Eurostar, and enough change to go crazy in the Sarcelles Market. True, I have to book my Eurostar ticket early but still....£99? Why thank you Bernina, but I'll pass. So, tails between my legs, I went back to Pfaff. Yes, the prodigal daughter went back.

I have invested alot of mullah in presser feet for my Faffi, so it made sense to get a machine from the same brand so I could painlessly continue sewing, without killing myself on presser feet. I took Nina back today, and came home with Tarquin.


Isn't he cute? I could not wait to get started, and I finished this skirt which I had started on with Nina.


It is Butterick 5285, and it was relatively easy to sew. If you need an easy skirt pattern, then this should be on your list. Read the instructions before sewing though, because I did not, and then found out I had to install the zip before I made the pleats in the back. So I had to redo them, after putting in the zip. Precious time wasted if you ask me


 The fabric I used is a heavy cotton fabric which I bought from one of the shops on Goldhawk road. I think it was too heavy for this pattern. I don't know, it just feels too stiff. When making it next, I will use a softer fabric, just because I think it will drape better. This fabric holds the pleats well, but I just don't think I should have used it for this skirt. It feels very home decky. Oh well. Lesson learned.






27 comments:

  1. Gosh, who would have known that feet for machines could be so 'spensive! But may I say that I do love the skirt; especially the vertical waistband - I think it's gorgeous!

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    1. Tell me about it. I was really shocked hy the price.

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  2. Where did you return the Nina to? I'm v tempted!

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    1. Btw, that colour is wonderful on you :)

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    2. Direct sewing machines. They are in battersea. You can ask for Chris, he is very nice.

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  3. When I went to buy a walking foot for my Bernina the shop assistant told me that Brother feet fit it too - so I use a Brother invisible zip foot and a Brother walking foot. They work just fine and are a lot cheaper. It was 30AUD, which seems to be about 20 pounds. A bit better than 100 pounds!

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    1. oh dear, now I wish I had known that before I took it back. Oh well, there will be a next time I think.

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  4. You look great Dibs, and I love your skirt!

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  5. another fantastic make Dibs. I have learnt so much from your sewing machine saga. I won't take mine for granted again that's for sure. Btw you look great in this skirt.

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    1. Yeah, i think we always think the grass is greener on the other side, and then find out to late that, actually, it isn't.

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  6. Well I think it's gorgeous! The colours are great on you. Loving the glass of wine ready to go in your pic of Tarquin!

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    1. Ah Fiona, you noticed the wine. Yes, I had to drink to dull the pain of the Bernina going back. lol.

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  7. £99 for one foot?! That's daylight robbery!! No wonder the Bernina went back! Your new Pfaff looks great, as does your skirt. I'm going to be shaking my head and muttering £99 all day now!

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    1. lol. My thoughts exactly. but the people who own bernina machines don't seem to mind. I think when you start with a particular brand, it is easier to continue with it because you would have bought the feet.

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  8. Wow, that foot costs an arm and a leg :) sorry, just had to say that! But seriously, wow!
    Your skirt looks very pretty in the photo, the colours are fabulous and you look great in it!

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    1. aww thanks. Yes, I loved the bernina, but, I have to be realistic I think. maybe in a couple of years, when i want to upgrade my machine, I might go for a Bernina, but for now, I'm on a budget.

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  9. I've just purchased a walking foot for my Janome but I went with the universal one which was £20 instead of £50. Hoping it'll do the job ok!

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    1. I hope so too. I really don't know why these things are so expensive. gosh

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  10. What, wait? You sent the Bernina back?! Noooooooooo!

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    1. hahahahahhahahaha. I could not in all honesty, justify the expensive presser feet. lol.

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  11. I have had the exact pfaff machine you have just bought for 18 months now and I love it. You won't be taking this one back I promise!

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  12. I can't believe you purchased (and returned) so many machines in only 1 week (I think the salesperson would go crazy if someone attempted to do anything like this in Paris)! Indeed, presser feet are just SOOOOO expensive so going back for a pfaff totally makes sense. Poor Nina, she must feel abandonned....

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  13. I've had a Pfaff machine with a built in walking foot which I love, for nearly 20 years and any extra feet cost a small fortune so I think it's a wise move to stay with a brand where you've already spent your hard earned cash on extras that are interchangeable.

    Your skirt looks great, very pretty colours :)

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  14. Ahahahaha! Your sewing machine saga is so funny! I'm glad you've found a machine that seems like such a good fit for you! I love your skirt, too-- the drape of it is gorgeous!

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  15. You look so beautiful in that outfit. The cardigan, the skirt, the top, your shoes, even your your haircut suits perfectly. What a lovely spring ensemble to share with us! Happy day :) Lyn

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  16. love the skirt fabric! from the pictures the fabric looks perfect, not heavy at all.

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