Some of you may remember my programs (I hope so, it was just last week–we better not be that old!), which were sewn booklets.
Well.
We have a problem. My sewing machine got a little bit jammed by trying to sew through 15 sheets of paper (I’ll admit, that was kind of stupid–that’s a lot of paper). So I had to stop about 25 programs into my stack of 100. I figured I’d take the machine to the sewing machine shop and get it fixed, then start on my programs again.
Um, not so much. I took it to the sewing machine shop yesterday and was told that the timing is off between the needle and the bobbin, and it will take 4 weeks and $150 to fix. Oh, crap. Not only is this bad news for my machine, but it’s bad news for my programs.
Today’s game plan: try to find a cobbler and see if they’d be willing to use one of their hardcore leather-piercing sewing machines to do it for me (and not get shoe polish on them in the process). If that doesn’t work, give up on the sewed look for the remaining 75 programs and resign myself to punching holes and threading ribbon.
Sigh.
Awww bummer 
I hope you find a cobbler that can do it for you (w/o the shoe polish)!
oof chick!
Poor sewing machine! Used and abused by its owner! 
Hey - be proud it made it through 25. My sewing machine would probably have laughed at me at the thought!
how many bride’s need cobblers during their wedding planning? i think it’s a great story to tell for years to come! good luck!
Even stapling these suckers would make them no less impressive! These are gorgeous. You’re a whiz!
It is such a wonderful detail; I love how your illustration looks like a tag.
**A thought** you could also look into upholstery shops too. In college we used to sew through paper all the time on the upholstery grade Juki. It might be less messy w/o shoe polish around. **side note** I had to go cobbler to shorten my heels of my shoes. I was a lil’ bit too tall for my FI.
good luck with finding a cobbler!
I was also going to stitch my programs together but have resigned to threading ribbon.
Don’t know if this will work or if you would even want to put the time into it, but if you look in the scrapbook section, they sell the puches and puts holes in the paper for sewing. Then you just have to hand sew the booklet together. It would be tedious but maybe something that can be done with a group of your friends.
How about just sewing the first page and affixing it to the rest of the booklet some other way? (like use brads to hold pages 2-25, sew the top sheet, then hot glue page one to page 2)
Oh nooo!! That’s horrible! I’m definitely thinking twice about my proposed DIY project that involved sewing paper. Hrm.
@skastanos: This is a great idea and totally doable. At least it will LOOK sewn.
Could you look into using a high school’s home ec- class sewing machines, borrow a friend’s, or maybe look into any community ed sewing/classes and see if there is anyone who could help? Someone might have a more industrial type machine…
I know here in the Twin Cities there are also several fabric/sewing stores where you can rent/borrow a machine, maybe they have something like that where you live?
Google “Japanese Stab Binding” which you can easily do yourself and make as many or a few holes as you need/like. All you need is a hammer, an awl, a big needle, and some strong ribbon/twine/string/thread.
Good Luck!
Sigh… I hate it when really good ideas get taken down by physical realties.
An industrial sewing machine is a good idea (upholsterers and outdoor gear repair shops will have them) - but FYI, they typically only do a straight stitch.
oh no! good luck!
Sometimes theater costume shops have sewing machines that are higher powered than the consumer versions. And I’m sure it varies, but they may well have the zigzag stitch you’d need. Good luck!
Try the Craft Gym! They are local, and they have tons of sewing machines. Yelp them - they will probably be able to help you out with a machine to use. And FAR cheaper than getting it repaired right now.
If you can’t get them sewn, I think ribbon would look adorable, so never fear! Your programs still rock.
Thanks you guys!!
An upholstery shop is a GREAT idea. I called around to some this morning and so far haven’t had much luck, but I’m still hoping.
@luxe–that’s a good idea! However, I think I’m over it. It all seems like too much work!!
@skasantos–that is GENIUS.
@Erin–good point. Ugh.
@JessicaSpeak–I’ve never heard of that place! They have a lot of really cool looking classes, too!
Oh noes!
Check with seamstresses also. My seamstress has a sewing machine for leather (don’t remember exactly what it is called). She and my mom started talking about it and it is really heavy duty and can sew almost anything.
Look up Arnolds Bookbinding in South San Francisco. His shop is on Linden Ave. He is a true craftsman and has done book binding all his career. You will be thrilled you found him…I know I am.
Mrs. Cream Puff, San Francisco Bay Area
Age and Occupation: 25, Illustrator
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Merchandise Planner
Engagement Date: May 27, 2007
Wedding Date: August, 2008
Blogging Since: February 7, 2008
Venue: Ceremony at Crissy Field and Reception at the Green Room
About Me: I never dreamed about my wedding as a little girl because I was too busy playing in the mud or pretending to be Martha Stewart–but now that it's here, I'm having a fabulous time DIYing everything in sight! We’re planning a very fun multicultural wedding (I'm Jewish and Mr. Cream Puff is Chinese), filled with as many personal details as I can muster.
I hate running into these DIY snafus that seem to wreak havoc on what would have been awesome ideas. I feel for ya, Cream Puff!