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Reviews Written by
C. Rigby (USA)
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Quantum Storage 5-Shelf Wire Rack with 12 Bins
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Pricey, but good!, December 18, 2007
Bought this for my garage to tame husband's workshop mess. Each bin got a label (spray paints, garden, clamps, etc.) and we got a grip on clutter. The bins are roomy enough to hold small power tools and their cords neatly.
I had expected blue like in the photo but I ended up getting red bins. Which is fine with me, but something to look out for if you are trying to color coordinate with other items. You may get another color than you think!
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Commercial Chrome 5-Tier Shelving Unit
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
 Great storage solution!, December 18, 2007
I bought three of these for my garage. It was simple for one person to put together and combined with Rubbermaid totes of various sizes helped me get a grip on garage clutter.
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Adams 5-pc. Dining Set - Natural
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
Good buy!, February 16, 2007
Very good buy for the price. An actual wood dinnette set that is both sturdy and easy on the eyes. The natural color blends in well with the rest of my natural mission style furniture.
Table goes together quickly, chairs take more time. No odor like in pressboard furniture and comes well packed.
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Hello Kitty Sewing Machine - Green (11706)
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104 of 105 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent choice for beginner or travel, November 14, 2006
NOVEMBER 16, 2006
This is a repackaged Janome Harmony 1017.
I purchased this with the idea that I'd have this 3/4 size machine for craft circles and could later give it to my daughter when she's old enough to learn on it.
I learned to sew three years ago on a Simplicity Creative Spirit Plus and while I still enjoy that machine, learning on this would have made things much easier on me!
The Green Hello Kitty Sewing Machine comes with extra size 15 plastic bobbins, extra needles, a seam ripper, buttonhole hole presser foot.
You will have to purchase scissors, small screwdriver, lint brush, sewing machine oil, pins, and other basics on your own. I HIGHLY suggest a magnetic seam guide -- this does have a metal plate to affix it to.
The machine itself is well built and sews like a dream. The preset stitches are nice and neat, and novices will appreciate only having to worry about tension. No stress over stitch width or length. Once you learn to keep things straight, the neat little stitches will make you look like an expert!
It runs quietly, and the slow 550 stiches per minute speed means you have more control as a beginner.
I'm an advanced beginner and I'm not sure I have the patience at this speed to be making slip covers, but it IS possible. You'll just have to have patience on long seams like that.
I've made cloth diapers with this (lots of layers!) and padded cloth books ( more layers!) and I had no problem sewing on various thickness of various fabrics.
It's a low-shank machine so the presser feet I have for my full-size machine can be used on this one as well. (Check Nancy's Notions online for deals on low-shank feet!)
MORE ADVICE FOR NOVICES:
1) I got a laptop bag from my local Target (Worldbound All Purpose Lap Top Tote 12 1/2 inches high x 17 1/2 inches wide x 6 1/4 inches deep) and it fits this machine perfectly with extra pockets for tools, fabric, and other items. So I can now carry this baby to craft circle in one neat package!
2) Keep the plastic bobbins it comes with for storing thread, but get Size 15 METAL bobbins for actual sewing. Plastic ones are too light.
3) Make sure you have put the bobbin spool in so it turns clockwise when you pull it while looking at it in the metal casing. Put it in backwards and you will snarl the thread up.
4) Make sure the thread "catches" on the little hook part of the bobbin case so it isn't flying loose.
5) Use a small screwdriver to adjust the tension screw on the bobbin case. Too tight and the thread gets stuck, too loose and it gets out of the little hook.
6) When you thread your sewing needle, the last step is to catch it on the tiny hook. This keeps the thread feeding nicely. Use the right kind of needle for your project and change it often. Schmertz Universal needles are great for most projects but they do get dull over use and they aren't going to work for everything. (ex: metallic thread needles have a bigger eye for metallic threads, denim needles for denim, etc.)
7) Always pull a few inches of both the top thread and the lower bobbin thread out behind the machine when you start a seam so it doesn't get raveled up in the sewing. Catch it in the sewing and you snarl it all up.
8) Gutterman thread = less lint in your machine to clog it up. There's a reason why cheap thread is cheap. If you pull a little out and hold it to the light and see it is all furry -- that's the lint that going to come off and clog your machine innards!
9) With regular maintenance there is no reason why this little workhorse shouldn't keep running smoothly. And the maintaining isn't hard -- sewing machine oil as per the manual. Then before and after each project use a can of air to blast out lint in the lower bobbin area, a lint brush for what the can of air can't reach and you are good to go.
10) Adjust the top tension for the type of fabric you are using. Also, your needle size. If they aren't right, the fabric will bunch, not feed nicely, or get weird on you.
BOOKS:
"My First Quilt Book: Machine Sewing" by Winky Cherry (kiddie book, but so what?)
"Sew Fast Sew Easy : All You Need to Know When You Start to Sew" by Elissa K. Meyrich
"Sew What! Skirts: 15 Simple Styles You Can Make with Fabulous Fabrics" by Francesca DenHartog
... to get your started on simple projects.
"Fabric Savvy" by Sandra Betzina to help you learn about fabrics and needles.
DECEMBER 19, 2007 UPDATE
I originally reviewed this November 15, 2006. I've now had it a bit over a year and wanted to update.
I have since taught 4 moms and one 9 year old to sew on this machine because it is user-friendly. I'm about to teach a six year old who wants to make a "super hero" cape with every confidence that he can do it with supervision.
With a magnetic seam guide on the metal plate, the slow 550 stitches per minute speed, and not having to deal with stitch length or tension gave them the courage to take the sewing plunge and all were pleased with their diapers, skirts, pants, curtains, altered T-shirts, and dresses.
I've done all my household sewing and mending on it all year -- haven't broken out the full size since I bought this just because it is that much faster to deal with.
Because of it's size and portability, I've taken it to craft circles and to church and cranked out all the costumes for TWO Christmas pageant productions without a hitch!
I've def. gotten my money's worth on this one. It has surpassed my expectations for a pared down 3/4 size machine and continues to perform well!
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