Sewing up a storm

I have a wonderful sewing machine whom I introduced ages ago.  We’re best friends, sometimes, but a few months ago one of the motor belts broke.  It took me forever to figure out what the belt was called and find the replacement (apparently sewing machine repair is  a top secret business).  So after searching and realizing the new belt would cost me anywhere from $15 to $40 not including shipping, I pouted.  Then I got back on the computer and kept looking.  Eventually I found sew-classic.com.  This site has a variety of discount sewing machine parts, but you have to know exactly what you’re looking for.  Knowing nothing about motors or the guts of a sewing machine, this is the journey my sewing machine and I went through.  

Handmade Instant Gratification: Plushie Pincushions

A few years ago I attempted sewing.  I tried to make my own bags, and even a denim skirt (which never quite got finished).  I think, however, I spent more time yelling at the sewing machine than anything else, but I had lots of practice ripping seams and re-threading the machine...then I gave up for a while.  Last summer I began sewing again when my boyfriend's mom gave me her old Bernina 830.  I'm very grateful to have it!  It's an oldie but a goodie, and has a ton of different stitch options I haven't even tried yet!

I am still very, very much at a beginner level, but I'm actually starting to enjoy sewing.  I especially like re-using clothes and fabric I find at thrift stores, in fact, I'm currently working on two summer dresses: one made out of a purple jersey knit floor-length skirt which I will post when I'm satisfied with it...could be a while :) and another from a queen size butter yellow sheet with fantastic embroidered detail along the edge (again will post when I'm finished, and I may even attempt a tutorial).
Anyway, usually while I'm sewing I just put my pins on the table because I'm trying to keep my attention focused on the moving needle so I don't sew my fingers to my fabric...there have been a few too many close calls.  The problem is, my sneaky cats like to sit on the table and eye up the pins and I'm always afraid they'll steal one when I'm not looking, therefore I finally made a pincushion!