Hey congrats on winning the Brother machine.  I actually have one of those exact same model.  There is nothing fancy about it and it can be a bit noisy but it works fine.  I use it to take with me on gigs since it is light and portable. You got it for a good price.  Do know that you can normally get these new for around $60 - $75 at either Walmart or Target.  Make sure you read through the manual carefully if you have not used a sewing machine before.  In fact if you want to get a head start here it is on-line. http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_LS_2125i_EN_1628.PDF

The manual is pretty good and gives you all the basics.  One thing that may not be clear is the setting of the bobbin.  They give you the following caution but don't really explain it.

Make sure you set the bobbin so the thread
unrolls in the right direction. If the thread unrolls
in the wrong direction, it may cause the thread
tension to be incorrect or break the needle.

. The manual is in pdf form so if you zoom in  you can see the image of the way the thread is coming off the bobbin.

If you have any issues let us know.  In fact I can always drag out my machine and give you a demo via BlogTV if needed.

BTW: Melonpool over at Muppet Central gave a really good reply to your original post over there about 45 mins ago. http://www.muppetcentral.com/forum/threads/i-absolutely-hate-sewing.50961/#post-880676

Awesome! Jeez this forum is extremely, extremely helpful. I checked out Melonpool's response but I'll use it when I'm creating my Nicky Avenue Q replica in the upcoming months, for the project I'm working on right now, I'm not using a foam structure (except for the body... I'll use it then.. doh!)

I may need to take you up on that BlogTV demo later on, Shawn. 

And as promised, here are some pictures!:


Top seam, I used the whipstitch.

Bottom seam, used the ladder stitch, my new preferred stitch  (Anyone know how to make that fleece that attaches

Ladder stitch..

Ladder stitch, again...

Whipstitch...

Inside out top seam, whipstitch.

Inside out bottom seam, ladder stitch!

Any advice/tips would be greatly appreciated!

(This is only like my third puppet and I know it's not the best Kermit D:)

Anyone know how to make that fleece that attaches

Not sure what you mean by that but I wonder if you are talking about flocking.  Flocking is what is used on Miss Piggy now.  They take a raw foam form of her head and then flock that to make it look like fleece.  It is a process where you spray the foam with an adhesive and then cover it in "bits" of fabric.  That is the simplified version of how it is done. The process is currently being discussed in this thread. http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,7290.0.html

Your seams are looking a lot better!   It really does take practice to get nice clean seams when you hand stitch so the more you do it the better you'll get. Just keep in mind the tips we have given you. 

One quick note. As a rule the ladder stitch is done from the front of the material not the back then flipped.  It works ok as you have found the way you did it but one advantage of it is that you can do it from the front.

Try this as an exercise. Take two pieces of fabric and iron or press with your fingers a fold on the edge of each about 1/4" wide. Make sure this fold is to the back of the fabric. Now lay the two pieces edge to edge with right side down. Grab the two folded over seams between your thumb and pointer finger then flip them over on top of your hand so you see the right side of the fabric. Now try the ladder stitch down the seam from the front.   You don't have to have the fold but doing it this way will let you follow that seam down the length of the fabric so your seam is straight and give you practice!  Now think about if you did not have the fold. You could still grasp the fabric in the same way with your thumb and finger about the same about you did with the fold. By using the fold first you should get some muscle memory and fell in that thumb and finger that well help you do the same thing without the fold.

Now say you have your fabric laying on your puppet like Melonpool mentioned. In this case you would not be able to get behind the fabric and hold it in your thumb and finger, but if you envision the fold line on the fabric and try to stay on it you get a nice clean line. The ladder stitch well actually fold under the fabric for you when you pull the thread tight.  The image that Billy posted actually kind of illustrates what I am talking about.

Hooray! I'm so glad to hear that you're starting to find a method that works for you! I hope you don't absolutely hate sewing any more.

Shawn is correct................Below is a video demonstration by one of our members Daryl.

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https://youtu.be/pPM8h6kdNp0

Wow! I'm a little late to the party. Looks like the crew has done their usual great job of offering spot on advice! But I will welcome you to Puppets and Stuff! I used to be pretty active on Muppet Central but found the folks here were more interested in the craft of puppetry and were SOOOOOO friendly and helpful. The knowledge pool that is represented by the members here is truly awe inspiring!

I also agree that your progress is coming along very nicely. Like Shawn I much prefer using the machine as much as possible but that ladder/Henson stitch has been invaluable in attaching facial features and the like. When I first began working with the machine I used to dread changing the color of thread I was using because it meant I was going to have to load a new bobbin and thread the machine again. Now I change colors without a second thought! Practice is all it takes. You'll be a pro before you know it. Well, maybe not on a level like Dr. Megan but at least a lot better than where you began.

Congrats on getting your sewing machine! It looks like all the tips here are also helping

Yeah, congratulations! I was really sad when my machine died on me last year. But I have a new one. But now I have so tiny bits, I don't need a machine right now...

I also agree that your progress is coming along very nicely. Like Shawn I much prefer using the machine as much as possible but that ladder/Henson stitch has been invaluable in attaching facial features and the like. When I first began working with the machine I used to dread changing the color of thread I was using because it meant I was going to have to load a new bobbin and thread the machine again. Now I change colors without a second thought! Practice is all it takes. You'll be a pro before you know it. .

I got this at Hancock fabric makes changing bobbins much easier.



http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Wrights-SideWinder-Portable-Bobbin-Winder-Front-Page_stcVVproductId49468897VVcatId537258VVviewprod.htm