meara, my sister says that Michael's craft stores have various clubs (beading, weaving, etc.) where people show up and craft together. Maybe they have sewing machines available as well?

The Joanne's fabrics around here used to have machines for classes - and I was told you could rent time on them

Joann's does offer classes and they have machines available. I don't know if you can rent them, but you could look and see what the class schedule is. There could be a class that is making something you want to make.

When I took a class there, it was a skirt class. We could choose any skirt pattern that had an elastic waistband (beginner class, no zippers!). So, there was flexibility in what we did.

meara, try a quilt shop. It may not be a great machine, but often they have rental machines or machines for kids who take classes. I used one at my shop when my machine suddenly stopped working in the middle of a class I was taking.

Actually, even better, a lot of quilt shops have "open" class night, where you can go in and just work for like four to six hours on projects you need to finish up. There's a teacher in case you have any questions or problems. And, the best part, you make the mess somewhere else!

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vw's first world problem of the day: my oreos are stale. This is what happens when I quit eating much and not needing snacks. Stale Oreos! It's a tragedy.

Yeah, I looked around--the Joann's "Superstore" has classes, but it's not anywhere near me...but the G-Street Fabrics has a "express skirt" (express meaning it's two classes, rather than a whole bunch) one, but it's $139! By the end of that, I'd better have a kick-ass skirt! And it's not clear whether everyone has to do the SAME skirt or not (it is listed as a fitted waistband zipper skirt with darts...I'm like "but is it A line? Pencil? Can I put pockets in it??"). May have to go do some investigating.

Michael's seems to have classes, but not in sewing, just other craftly stuff. And there aren't a lot of quilting stores around here--the whole city thing. Though really, the city is where people dont' have room for a machine! I swear I remember reading about something like this, but googling does me no good.

Or, meara, there's always this: [link]

meara, maybe you could call a high school or vocational school in your area. If you can connect with a sewing teacher, s/he might be able to point you in the right direction. They might have clubs or do enrichment type community/continuing ed on the weekends, too.

I wonder if you might be able to come to some arrangement with (if your neighborhood is anything like mine) one of the ubiquitous little dry cleaner/alterations places.

BTW, whoever recommended Old Navy curvy boot-cut jeans awhile back, thank you. I just bought a pair and I love them.

I have to pop in to brag about my brother. He and his finacee are planning to kayak from Texas to Maine, I think I've mentioned that before, and they have a website up -- Kayak Journeys [link] The logo is also my brother's tattoo.

They just got their first corporate sponsorship! And they are working with a video production company to make a documentary about their trip.