This giveaway is now closed.
**Announcing the winners of yesterday’s giveaways: the lovely Catherine won $100 Gussy Sews shop credit, and miss Amy won a pass to Liv Lane’s blog e-course. Yeow! Gals, please email me at gussy(at)gussysews(dot).com. Thank you to everyone that entered!! [xo]
PS. If you didn’t win the e-course but still want to sign-up, use this secret link to save 20% off your order {the e-course would be $70 vs. $88}. Discount is good through June 5th. Yay!
Sewing has turned into an incredible creative, professional and interactive outlet, but when I started sewing in November 2008 I had no clue it would grow to such heights. I was new to the handmade world of Etsy and it seemed like EVERYONE knew how to sew. It took about 30 seconds of daydreaming to realize I needed to join the club, so the next time Zack and I visited my parents for the weekend I asked to borrow their sewing machine. Maggie + Fat Quarters = bffs.
A couple of months passed when I had decided on a name for my products {March 2009}, and so for the next few months after I spent a lot of time fine tuning the brand I had created. Sewing quickly turned into a serious passion. All 30 of the library books I borrowed gave me the boost I needed to confidently sew, and my blog served as a platform to showcase my products and document my journey as things moved forward.
Just a few months after I started sewing, in January & February 2009, my husband and I both lost our jobs. Very unexpectedly. Later that year, in August, we moved from Michigan to Minnesota to pursue the only job offer I received. Once we moved to Minneapolis, MN, it took just 2 short weeks for Zack to receive his first job offer, too. HOR-to-the-RAY!
Once we were settled in our new home in this new city, and the stirring in my heart to sew full-time pressed on, Zack and I decided it was time for me to take the leap towards entrepreneurship {February 2010}. For the next three months we were diligent with saving 3 months of my salary as back-up in case… Ya know. This was a really incredible/powerful time for us.
My first day of work as solo Gussy Sews, on May 17, 2010, was really a surreal day. While I couldn’t have imagined myself living “this life”, I also couldn’t be more thankful for a God that did and so graciously gave it to me.
Each day this week we celebrated my first year on my own, so it seems most appropriate to close out the celebration with this ~
That’s right — two of you will receive a Singer Confidence Stylist sewing machine. Can I get a yeowwwwww???!!!
I’ve been sewing on this machine for a little bit now, and let me tell you this: the Kenmore machine I learned how to sew on is basic, but it’s a workhorse! This Singer machine is a serious upgrade (considering it’s electronic), but what I love the most about this machine is that it has a heavy-duty metal frame.
With all the sewing we do, this is key to our production success.
And two lucky readers will win one! We’ll be like, sewing machine triplets, matchy matchy! *wink*
Guess what else? Look at all the notions the Singer Confidence Stylist comes with {minus the scissors & pin cushion}:
Here’s what you’ll receive:
* 4 BONUS Fashion Accessories (Side Cutter, Darning & Embroidery Foot, Gathering Foot, Even Feed/Walking Foot) Videos of how to use these feet can be found here.
* 70 stitch patterns
* drop & sew bobbin system
* class 15J bobbin
* automatic needle threader
* LCD display with push button stitch selection
* 3 fully automatic 1-step buttonholes
* drop-feed for free motion sewing
* StayBright LED light
* adjustable stitch length & width
* heavy duty metal frame for skip-free sewing
I think traditionally speaking, sewing machines are perfect as a wedding or graduation gift, but they are also the perfect gift for someone that’s looking to live a more creative lifestyle. The beauty of knowing how to sew is you can do so much with it: keep your skill set at intermediate or challenge yourself to learn a new technique/style each month. Gussy up your home through sewn accessories {mistreatments, pillows, table cloths/napkins, pillow shams, mug rugs, quilts, baby & children items (!!!) — shall I go on?}.
I often receive emails asking for advice on how to find a good sewing machine, and the two things I always reply back with is: “if you don’t like the machine you buy you can definitely find someone to buy it from you,” and “older, solid machines never seem to die.”
Having a machine that has a heavy-duty metal frame is KEY for us, and so the Confidence Stylist should be a perfect fit.
Here are some of the machine’s features that I personally love:
* the drop-in bobbin. Being able to quickly glance at the thread level is super helpful, plus this means easy access & usability
* the DOZENS of available stitches. I love this for two reasons: there’s a serge-like stitch {yes!}, and the opportunity for exploration. Fun new projects, here I come!
* easy access accessory/notions drawer — ‘nough said.
* winding bobbins are easy/quick
What am I nervous about, though? That it’s a new machine, one I haven’t sewed on for too long and one that’s very different from the machine we’ve been using. I say this not to doubt my new Singer, but more so to share that some times it can be hard to change things up… It will be good, though!!!
I’m excited to sew with the Confidence Stylist, and introduce it to the Gussy Sews production team ;]
The Giveaway:
Singer is generously giving away two [2] Singer Confidence Stylist sewing machines. And, each winner will receive a medium zipped Gussy Sews pouch of their choice, sewn using our new machine. Please leave a comment below to enter; open to the US only. This giveaway will close tonight at 11:59pm CST {Friday, May 20th} and will announce their names on Saturday, May 21st.
fine print: Singer provided me with a Confidence Stylist sewing machine in exchange for a blog review & giveaway post. The words in this post are mine and the opinions you read are genuine. I would never provide you with anything else. [xo]
GOOD LUCK to everyone, and thank you all for giving me a reason to celebrate ♥.
Omg, this is an awesome giveaway :) I would LOVE to have one of these great sewing machines!!! I hope you had a fun week of celebrating!!!!! Gussy You Rock <3
Awesome giveaway!!! Count me in.
Wow! Congratulations again on your 1 year since quitting, what an accomplishment! It is amazing to see someone doing what they love!
rebatink(at)gmail(dot)com
This would be so wonderful! I have been hoping to up my sewing skills this coming year, and the machine I have now is ANCIENT! It was my great-grandmothers…….needless to say I would love a new one!
Hi Gussy! I would also like to throw my name into the hat for the drawing! What a great idea and prize! Congratulations on all your success!!!
Amy
OMG!!! This is truly an amazing giveaway!!!!! This was an awesome week!
would love to try this beauty out. I’m really getting into the sewing world and this would definatly give me a chance to try new things.
oh my goodness!! wow!! what a way to end the celebration!!
{i hope i win!}
congratulations again! and thank you for allowing all of us to join in this week! hope year 2 is just as amazing!!
Holy cow! This is such a great giveaway! I definitely wanna win this!
Are. You. KIDDING. Me? Wow!
And, p.s., I always love love love reading about your story! AMAZING!!
Wow, this would be awesome! Been using an older machine for years now.
Congrats on your first year! I lost my job this year and am trying to get my courage up to start my own business too. way to go!!!!
wow wow wow wow wow! what a special giveaway! i am so excited to enter!!!!
Oh wow! What a giveaway! I would LOVE this! Thanks for the chance to win!
What an awesome giveaway!! Pick me!!!
I would love to win! My mom only sews with a Singer! :)
I would love to win a new sewing machine. It would make my year of making gifts so much fun!
WOW! I want to win so badly!!! I’ve been sewing on my great grandmother’s OLD singer that barely works for years… this would be fabulous!!! Congrats on all you’ve accomplished in this first year of being your own boss!
Great giveaway! Congrats on your 1st year anniversary! You’ve worked hard and are very deserving!
O wow- I’m drooling over this! What an awesome give-away!
Wow! As a relatively new reader who has a broken sewing machine that a repair guy in Tennessee told would cost as much to repair as to replace, I would be thrilled to get a new one! We’re saving for a house, and it would be sweet to be able to make things for it!
woweeee! What an amazing giveaway… such a beautiful machine! The happiest one year anniversary to you sweet Gussy :) I’d LOVE to create magic with that machine! Blessings to you and all you do!
Oh my – what a terrific sewing machine. Congratulations on year one – and may there be many more :)
Wow thank u gussy and thank u singer!!! Congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment!
Here’s to hoping!!!!!
Oh my gosh! This is an awesome giveaway and something that I really would love to have. I hope it’s me!
That is super amazing! I want to learn how to sew and getting a free sewing machine would be a dream come true!
What an amazing giveaway! A great way to end giveaway week. I would L-O-V-E to win one of these!!!
this is an amazing giveaway! I’m in!
nlay79@gmail.com
Stephanie
Before I even got to the part where you were giving away the machine I thought to myself – that’s a pretty awesome machine in that picture – Gussy’s using some nice equipment! :) Good for you! (and please send one this way!)
Big congrtas to you I love your bags they are just beasutiful!!!!Omg what a wondeful prize I would so love to win this!!!Thanks so much for the chance!!!
My goodness, talk about a big giveaway……thank you for a fun week!
What a cool giveaway to celebrate your 1 year anniv! Wonder if I could actually learn to sew on this!
What a wonderful giveaway! Thank you!!
I would LOVE to win this!
I would love, love, love to win!!
Oh my, who would expect this wonderful sewing machine giveaway! You celebrate in style! I’d love to be one of the winners! Congratulations again on your anniversary!
OMG winning a machine like this would CHANGE MY LIFE lol!
Oh my! What an amazing giveaway to end your week with a bang. Even though I *really* would love to win a new machine {I mean, who wouldn’t?!?}, they had it so right on Twitter last night ~ we are here because we love you and your blog! :) Congratulations on a year on your own and Happy Anniversary!!!
Wow! What an AWESOME giveaway!!! Thank you so much for the chance!!!
YYYYYEEEEEOOOOOWWWWW!!!! Keeping my fingers crossed. I would love to own this!!!
Holy excitement, I WOULD LOVE THIS!!!!! My Singer “Simple” doesn’t quite meet my needs anymore, and I would LOVE to win this amazing upgrade!
Wow! What a giveaway! I’ve been wanting to learn how to sew!
What an awesome giveaway! I would love to win one because I have been wanting to learn how to sew and have finally decided it’s time! I already got a couple of books and have been shopping online for a sewing machine.
I live in Guam though so I guess I’m not eligible for the giveaway.
Congrats to you on your success! I hope to be as successful doing my dream job some day!!
Wow!! I could soooooo use this. The machine I have was my grandmother’s. It sews straight lines only, not even zigzags. I saw it being appraised on the Traveling Roadshow where they estimate the value of antiques, so you know it is old, but it is a Singer and just won’t quit and it reminds me of all the wonderful things my grandmother made for all of us while sitting behind that machine. But really, I’d love to sew more than a straight line someday. Can you make that happen for me please????
Omg, this is an awesome giveaway :) I would LOVE to have one of these great sewing machines!!! I anticipate three years when I can quit working, too!!! I adore your gussy goodies…..love the new turquoise/orange combo!!Happy Week to you!!
Ahhh what an amazing giveaway! Love me some new awesome Gussy sewing goodies!
OMG- WOW!!! What an awesome giveaway! You are so amazing lady!!!! I would love to win this machine!!!! Would definitely change my life! Congratulations again on your anniversary and an amazing celebration week!!!
Awesome!!! i would love to win!
I’ve always wanted to learn to sew! What An amazing giveaway!
Congrats on a year!!! This is a great giveaway!!!
WOOHOO!! go singer! that’s completely awesome…i have a very dead sewing machine right now and of course that equates to finally also having time to sew! count me in, too! <3
Wow! What an incredible giveaway! Thanks for doing something so generous!!
Blaise
I have ALWAYS wanted to learn how to sew…this would give me that chance!! Yippee!!
As always…you Rock and congrats to your amazing year, I look forward to see what the future hold for you! Thank you for allowing all of us to take that ride with you!! We love Gussy!!
yeowwwwww is right!!! I would love (and desperately need!) one if these lovely machines!!!
Hi! I sure would love to win a new sewing machine! My current machine is an unusuable antique from a 1940’s classroom. I learned to sew on it and made many crafty things until my kids came along. Now that they’re in college, I am reclaiming my right to craft. I especially want to sew!!!
Amazing! Thanks for all this fun celebrating!!
What an inspiring story. Truly a dream come true. We can all only hope ti achieve such success in our handmade endeavors. But you deserve it, you are amazingly talented!
Thanks sooooooooo much-I would love a new sewing machine…after years of not sewing…I want to start up again
This is such a great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of these great machines!!
Congratulations and Thank you!! Hopefully I will be celebrating one year someday!!
Ohhhhhh, I would LOVE this sewing machine for me and my girls. What an amazing giveaway ! :)
Wow, what a generous giveaway!! I could really use a new sewing machine, thank you for the opportunity to win one! Happy one year of working for yourself :)
Oh, WOW! I’ve been really wanting a sewing machine to try to hand at cute dresses for my 4 year old!
YEOW!! What an incredible giveaway!!! I would love to win one of those machines. My machine is very old and it’s starting to die… slowly. Also, it would be so cool if I won because today is my birthday! Thanks so much! =)
I bought my first sewing machine with some money from my high school graduation. That’s getting farther and farther away. =) This would be a great- love the metal frame! And of course the adorable pouch. Thanks for the awesome give-aways! Happy Celebration Week to YOU!
This is an amazing giveaway! It would be nice to have my DD sewing on a machine next to me. Thanks for the chance!
Amazing!!! I’d love a new sewing machine. Who wouldn’t? Well, maybe people who don’t sew, but I’d LOVE one.
So happy that you’re celebrating one year of creative sassiness. It’s been great getting to know you through your blog. I wish you many more years of success!
How very cool! I never wim these things…but a new sewing machine would be awesome! Thanks for all the chances to win this week and congrats on yours first full year of doing what you love!
You sure can get a yeowwwwww, if I can get that Singer!! :)
Holy Smokes, Gussy! This is big time! I would love to win this – currently I borrow my friend’s sewing machine and we’re moving… which means we will have nothing (and my hand stitching is the worst). This would be ahhhh-mazing! Happy Anniversary!
ahhhh, I would LOVE a new sewing machine! I have a singer already, but its def plastic and can not do nearly all the things this one can do!!! I really hope I win the Mother of all giveaways!!! XOXOXO love my gussy!
Awesome, Awesome giveaway!!! Thanks for the opportunity to win and congrats to you :)
Wow! Unbelievable giveaway! Love it! And your shirt. :-)
yes please! i would love to use this sewing machine! :)
Hi Gussy- WOW, I can’t even imagine where I would start if I won a sewing machine! Growing up and into my early adult life I never had any interest in sewing or even learing how to sew until I started reading your blog and other fellow bloggers who sew amazing, vibrant, fun products! I love that it’s something you can “self teach” becuase who has time to take a class these days :-) My mom-in-law is an amazing sewer and I would love to be able to learn as well. I would love making little goodies for my family. Thanks so much for this amazing opportunity! Happy Friday!
Holy Cow! What a giveaway, I would <3 to learn to sew better on this!
Wow – I thought the giveaways for your shop were pretty awesome this week but this takes the cake! A machine AND a Gussy pouch = awesome! :) Im going to be crossing my fingers, picking up lucky pennys, not stepping on cracks and whatever other lucky thing I can do to be able to win this awesome giveaway! Thanks so much and congratulations again – I hope one day I will be able to share a similar story about going from hobby sewing to shop sewing!
Awesome giveaway! I just told my husband the other day that I really want to buy a sewing machine!
wonderful giveaway, thanks you! :)
Oh my goodness! I would absolutely love to win this! I love to sew but haven’t had a machine in a couple of years. This is a great giveaway!!!
Oh my good gravy!!!! I have been begging my husband for a sewing machine. This would be fantastic to win. yeowwww, indeed!!
This is a seriously Awesome give away! I would love to upgrade to a new machine, you are right in that the old metal frame machines never die, I still use my grandma’s! I also learned how to sew on a Singer – Love IT!!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Wow! That’s awesome! The machine I have now isn’t the greatest so this would be perfect!
Oh just reading about this machine and I’m in love already! This would just make my day…well um…more like my year :)
Congratulations on 1 year Gussy, you are one amazing and inspiring lady!!
What a great giveaway!!! I have been daydreaming of making my own little girly things for the daughter I am having in September. My Mom used to make all my dresses & such & it would be cool if I learned for mine!!
What an awesome giveaway!!!! I would soooo love to win a new sewing machine!!!!!
Oh my. my little sewing business could really use this!
wow, what a fabulous giveaway. my machine died this week and needs service in the worst way – so this would be a nice replacement!!! Crossing my fingers!
Oh my goodness! My sad old Brother machine could use a replacement…and this one would be amazing!
Thanks for the chance!
Who-hooo! YOU are the reason I would want to give sewing a shot. This machine sounds looooovely.
I have been wanting to learn to sew better for quite some time now. This new machine would be the perfect motivation! Thanks for your inspiration, Gussy!
triple YEOW! it would be aMAZing to have one of my own, instead of jealously eyeing my mom’s machine. yes please! =)
WOOOHOOOO!! What a sweet giveaway! I have so loved this week’s blog offerings! ;)
Congrats on your job anniversary, that is so exciting!! Cheers to many more!
Sarah M
wowza! what a generous giveaway! would love a new machine!
This is a beautiful machine. I would love one to make quilts.
What a fantastic giveaway. I own a basic Singer machine and I love it. This new machine would be fantastic to own. Congrats on your one year anniversary….
Leslie S.
what a lovely giveaway! thanks for being so generous :) congrats on one year!
I love sewing and so desperately need a better machine. I love making hand made gifts for family and creating fun learning toys for my daughter. Ooooh I hope I win, my birthday is right around the corner too!
Wow!! What a huge giveaway!! My 6 year old has been begging and asking for a sewing machine and this one would be perfect. It looks like a machine that she could grow into and use for a very long time. Thanks Gussy!!