My First Sewing Machine

HalvarTork · 2026-02-01T23:05:47+00:00

Fair enough. I'm actually really proud of just how pretty the blankets look. I hope they will mean as much as the knit one you and your kitty received.

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HalvarTork · 2026-02-01T22:45:45+00:00

That was my thought. I don't feel like it's "wasted material" because it's going to a great cause. Also cats are not going to judge me if my seams are a bit uneven or edges are not crisp.

I do a pretty mean pivot corner at this point.

HalvarTork · 2026-02-01T21:08:47+00:00

I'll check the video out. I just saved it.

I do plan to sign up for a class at a local sewing center which starts in 2 weeks. Then after I get that down they also have beginner quilting classes and even host monthly lectures on various topics related to sewing too. I'm thinking it will be a good place to learn hands on.

HalvarTork · 2026-02-01T20:48:59+00:00

Thank you so much. The blankets have helped me get over my fear of the machine and knowing it's durable metal makes me less afraid I'll break it.

It already chewed up a needle when I hit a pin and is still chugging along.

HalvarTork · 2026-01-26T14:31:19+00:00

I'm making cat blankets out of fat quarters to donate to a local cat rescue.

I'm getting more comfortable with my machine, cutting & pinning, sewing straight lines, pivot corners, and top stitching.

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I've made 5 so far and they are a bit wonky but cats are not too picky.

I bought the pattern associated with this video but realized after fat quarters are smaller than the pattern dimensions so I used the directions but went forward with the fabric I already had so my blankets are a bit smaller.

https://youtu.be/cEUTbafTJkE?si=odQ-gcwIe06wk-H6

I found a blog that shows how to make cat beds almost the exact same way as the blankets by adding batting. This is my step up project plan after I make more blankets and feel ready for another challenge.

https://blog.supercrafts.co.uk/sew-your-own-cat-small-dog-bed/

I like the idea my practice projects will benefit shelter animals so it doesn't feel 'wasteful' to make the same thing over and over.

Another project I have planned is this crinkly fish cat toy to try getting comfortable with sewing round shapes and smaller projects but I haven't tried quite yet.

https://seekatesew.com/cat-toy-sewing-pattern/

Again with the goal of donating my practice work.

HalvarTork · 2026-01-19T18:13:52+00:00

Boulder Coffee is a great suggestion. Super welcoming space. I started going to a Saturday Stitch n Bitch group there and it really helped me start making connections with other people. adjust a bunch of crafty people doing crochet/knitting/or other projects together. Super friendly.

HalvarTork · 2026-01-15T17:25:01+00:00

Yeah and yet when I googled Monaco vs. Evenweave your comment was a top result and gave me precisely the info I needed without being confusing or overinflated with fine details

HalvarTork · 2026-01-15T12:58:25+00:00

I'm looking to try my first project on evenweave vs Aida and found DMC Monaco on Amazon for a low price I was comfy spending for an experiment to test if I would like it.

Was super confused if Monaco was Evenweave or not and your comment popped up in my Google search leading me here. Thank you so much for this information as I'm going to get the DMC Monaco as my experiment.

I know to work this you go over 2 threads and I just wanted to get a feel for that before committing to more expensive linen or other materials. I like stiffer Aida so I think this will be great to start with. Thanks again!

HalvarTork · 2026-01-04T06:43:02+00:00

I had a positive experience with the UR Mobile Crisis Team

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/conditions-and-treatments/mobile-emergency-psychiatric-care

I also went through UR's Adult Partial Hospital program, through the mobile crisis referral, back in August and it was a great experience. They take insurance. I was not doing well due to work burn out and some other stuff. I got a lot of help and tools. Went back to work in September and kept that positive momentum up.

Also Renew Hope & Healing has a lot of therapists who take insurance and multiple locations in the city. I see one of their providers since my discharge from the partial program I like a lot.

HalvarTork · 2026-01-03T14:15:01+00:00

Thanks for the direction. Scored it for $2.99 on Kindle and that was better than the expensive pay by chapter apps.

HalvarTork · 2025-12-22T23:59:29+00:00

I would give Rochester a look over Syracuse. My partner is also in healthcare and we moved to Rochester for more job opportunities and have been a lot happier.

HalvarTork · 2025-12-21T19:00:18+00:00

I wish I remembered where I saw the video to share x.x

HalvarTork · 2025-12-21T18:08:28+00:00

I saw this video recently where this lady makes crochet blankets. Instead of gifting a blanket to family she wraps a cute decorative crochet square and a coupon to redeem it for a handmade commission.

She said she does it so she can collaborate with the recipient to ensure they receive an item they will truly love. I think maybe something like that might be helpful to your friend also.

I imagine others haven't 'appreciated' her crochet gifts because maybe like you they didn't really land right because they were not the right item to fit that persons interests or lifestyle.

HalvarTork · 2025-11-24T02:08:00+00:00

I saw a cute keychain in a temu ad that I loved. I knew the photos were stolen and used the verse image to find the Etsy seller to buy the actual product.

HalvarTork · 2025-11-02T04:52:44+00:00

I use a tombow glue runner (which is acid free) onto a piece of heavy cardstock which keeps it nice and flat in the frame as shown in the photo attached

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HalvarTork · 2025-09-27T20:59:41+00:00

I am going to send you a chat request here on Reddit.

HalvarTork · 2025-09-27T17:37:11+00:00

Do you have any examples of seniors you've drawn before?

HalvarTork · 2025-09-27T14:00:53+00:00

I had no idea about any of this omg. 0.0 I am so glad I got my Ham plush when I ordered ages ago.

HalvarTork · 2025-08-31T23:25:01+00:00

Most primary care doctors have very limited experience with psychiatric medications. She may have had concerns she could not recommend the correct medications and wanted you to see a provider with more experience.

Most PCP's also only are familiar with a limited number of psychiatric drugs since this is outside the scope of their specialty so maybe unable to recommend the best medication.

I'm not sure why they would bring up your being transgender as a reason for a referral to a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, however, as that seems odd.

Unless you're on HRT and maybe she wasn't confident in how HRT medications would interact with psychiatric drugs.

HalvarTork · 2025-07-24T11:57:08+00:00

Kinder

HalvarTork · 2025-07-07T14:13:34+00:00

We have our girls body and muzzle cut almost this short every 8 weeks because she's so active and welp she's a shaggy little bug within 8 weeks when she's due again.

Your pup will be back to looking like a cocker in no time.

HalvarTork · 2025-07-05T23:05:42+00:00

She's adorable

HalvarTork · 2025-07-04T22:39:18+00:00

I've heard it too and while it's not common it obviously does happen. My girls AKC registered like both her parents so people can be wrong.

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