You may remember that I featured Kwik Sew Pattern #3596 on here a couple of weeks ago (see picture at left).

Well, I decided it was time to retire the Valentine apron, and make a new one for Spring. This week I am in Washington at one of the largest sewing expos in the country. We are featuring the Sew Mini Sewing Machine from Janome – so I thought my new detergent apron was a great time to try out the machine and get some photos of the stitching it produces.

People will travel to this expo from all over the United States, and of course it has always been difficult to travel with a sewing machine. But because they are sewers, folks at this event are always looking for a sewing machine that they can carry with them. This Janome machine is very affordable, and is a great little machine to get you through a class, or to carry with you if you need to do some sewing while traveling. It only weighs 5 pounds, and takes up very little room, which makes it a great traveling companion!
I have also found this to be a wonderful machine to get a child to start sewing, being much less intimidating than a full-size machine would be.

Features on the Sew Mini

• It is not a toy – it does work.
• It does straight stitches and zig zag stitches.
• Has a drop in bobbin.
• Weighs approximately 5 lbs.
• Tension adjustment.
• Button to Reverse Stitch.
• Uses regular needles.

Features you May Miss Having –

• There is no light.
• It is slower and is a little noisier than a regular machine.

However, to get someone new started sewing or for sewing when you are traveling it might just fit your needs.

Here is a close-up of the stitching.
This was stitched through five layers of fabric.

And here is a close-up of the back of the project.

And finally, my finished apron. It’s going to look great at the sink!
Sheila Reinke, Heart of Sewing
Sheila