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.

That's not just to Maine. Unless I'm remembering incorrectly, Calais is at the Canadian border, although considering it's already a trip from Texas to Maine, I guess another 300 miles or so is no biggie. WOW.

He and his finacee are planning to kayak from Texas to Maine

They are amazing.