Sewing Machines

My first machine was a New Home that I got for Christmas in 1985, but unfortunately I lent it out about 5 years ago and never got it back. The next machine I bought was the Elna 2006. It's a great machine but not computerized so it's mighty noisy. Don't even try to listen to the radio when this one is sewing. I got it in my head that I NEEDED a machine that did embroidery so the next machine I got was my Bernina Artista 165 from hubby as a Birthday/Christmas present in about 2004 or 2005, I can't remember the year. This is the machine that I use on a daily basis and pretty much still like working with.

I also have a Singer Featherweight that I bought on the internet

probably 15 years ago. At the time I had it set up and did use it a LOT.....When I redid my sewing room I just didn't have space to keep it and all the fabric I'd accumulated out so I packed it up and it's been sitting in it's little case for probably 7-8 years.

I did run it this morning and it works like the day it was made!!!

Over time I've picked up a Janome DC2010 and also a Bernette50 that I occasionally take out and sew with, but not often :(

And, last but not least is my Baby Lock Quilters Edition machine that is on the Grace Frame in my upstairs sewing room. I am STILL having trouble getting quilts loaded on it but I think this winter I'll devote more time to it and if I don't "GET IT" then the frame will get sold and I'll just send quilts out to a longarmer....plain and simple!!! The sewing machine sews beautifully so it will just get set up on a table upstairs and i'll use that for piecing.

Hope you enjoyed my walk down the sewing machine lane with me.

Peggy

Sewing Machines

One of the Yahoo groups I belong to has started a discussion on what sewing machines everyone uses and owns. I'm thinking that's a great blog discussion so I'm going to go pull out my machines and take some pictures and blog about them.

It's an interesting question...do you only sew with one machine or do you jump back and forth from machines?

I can tell you that with the size of my room (9 x 7 approx) I only keep one machine up but some day..... Yes, some day I'm dreaming that I'll have a much bigger room with space to set up at least 3 machines....

Check back later for my post.

Fabric Tote Bag with Pockets

I coveted this tote bag that Michelle was carrying at retreat last month so nothing else would do....I had to make my own. I used the "Frolic" line for both the outside and lining (exactly like Michelle's). I cut it last night and then worked on it a little when I got home from work today and then after dinner. The binding around the edges gave me a run for my money but I'm thrilled with how it looks so it was worth all the work I put into it. Thanks for the pattern Michelle!!

Did I Show You This?

Back in January I assembled this quilt for my daughter. I have always wanted to make a black and white quilt but really wanted to add one other color just to add a little punch to it. Since I found a great fq bundle with turquoise in it that was what I used. I got it assembled and quilted and after a lot of setting it aside, I got the binding tacked down. Yesterday she was cleaning her apartment and decided it was the day to put it on her bed...and it looks great!

I'm keeping up

Yes maam, I'm keeping up with my 9 Patch Project, are you?

I have actually made these 8 and the alternating blocks to match with the wow corners "just in case" I want to use them in the same project.

I know these 4-1/2 inch blocks aren't going to make a big dent in my stash but if I use them with a bullseye project later in the summer then I might just clean out my 30's drawers.

LOOKIE

"Lookie", that's the kind of emails I get from "the girls"...yes, you know who you are Robin and Michelle! Well, I made the executive decision last night that the

2nd half was going to be a "no lookie" "no buying" time....even if it meant doing this

I'm very serious about not shopping for any other fabric for the remainder of 2010....except for quilt backs. I will have to take that money from my checking account using the debit card which rarely has a lot of money in it so this is going to be quite a test of my self control!!!!

So, what do you think? Think I will be able to do it???????

Have you heard?

Have you heard about the "Nine Patch Project" ? Karen Snyder at Anna Lena Land and Debbie at Quilting Possibilities had it on their blogs on June 1st. It sounds like a perfect summertime project, and if you know anything at all about me, I like NEW projects! These girls have it all figured out....if you do 1 block a day you end up with something like 92 9 patch blocks between June 1st and August 30th...

I'm not one of those scrap cutter upper kinda gals so in order for me to participate I had to do some cutting and then just grab a couple of fat quarters and cut them up too. I'm doing 30's with a nice white on white cut up into 2 inch squares which will give me 4-1/2 inch finished blocks. These will go perfectly as a border for some blocks I have in my cabinet or even as a baby quilt

Here are my first 3 blocks. I am officially up to date LOL