Let's Talk Sewing Machines

I want to talk about sewing machines today. I have two machines: my grandmothers Singer featherweight and my Bernina 440 QE that I bought in 2010 or 2011. That machine was my first big purchase for my sewing and quilting. I did not buy the embroidery module, since I knew I would never use it. This machine has made so many quilts and clothing and pouches and bags.

I sewed in my kitchen and finally in my sewing room after my daughter got married and moved out. I bought this machine, my first new one in over 20 years, because it came with a walking foot, lots of decorative stitches and the BSR-Bernina Stitch Regulator. That helps with regulating stitch length for free motion quilting.

But now, this machine is 10 years old and it has a few hiccups. I do take it every year for a check up. I clean and oil it regularly. But that costs me $100 every year. I have now spent almost as much keeping it going as I did to purchase it. And still, it doesn't seem to run as smoothly as it once did.

So I have begun looking at other machines. I have looked at pricing and reviews. There are lots of brands out there. It scares me a bit to contemplate such another big investment. I am wondering if a less computerized machine would be better. This will likely be the last machine I ever buy, so I want to do this right.

I am not married to any one brand. My Bernina has been good to me, but I do not feel compelled to spend quite that much again. Their machines are pricey. So, what am I looking for?

1. Not more than $1000. Preferably less than that.
2. Good harp space for quilting.
3. Reliable and long life of machine.
4. Don't need a lot of fancy stitches, but zigzag would be nice.

So, tell me, what machine do you use? And would you recommend it? Would you buy it again?
It may be awhile before I buy a new machine, but I want to start gathering info. Thanks for all your help, in advance.

Have a great week.

She's Back!

I really missed Nina, my Bernina.  She went in for a check up last week.  I thought I was to a point in all my projects that I had enough hand work to keep me busy.  But instead, the minute she was gone, everything I wanted to do involved Nina.  She was only gone 5 days, but every day brought another idea that needed trying.  Torture I tell you.  But now she's home!

And the sewing has begun again!  Such chaos, such clutter; I am one happy quilter.  But the first thing I need to do is make some pants, a vest and bow tie for V for his mom's wedding in a few weeks.  I got the pattern idea/advice from Dana.  She drafts patterns all the time for her son and they are adorable.  I can do this!

Well, it took several tries with "junk" fabric, but now I think I've got it!

It's a very nice linen and the vest will be the same.  I have drafted the pattern for the vest, but haven't started it yet.  I am having trouble getting my Nina to sew over the elastic in the casing at the back of the pants.  If anyone has advice on how to make this work, I would be grateful.  The needle hits the elastic and won't go through.  It is one inch non-twisting elastic.

So I thought, since I have been so good about working on this must do project, I am going to reward myself with a want to do project.  I am starting my Hometown quilt.  I bought a layer cake of Hometown a while back and was waiting for inspiration.  I found it on Moda Lissa's blog.

This is an easy pattern that will really showcase the fabrics.  Since I really couldn't indulge myself with more of this line, I wanted to make the most of it and this pattern does it for me.  First seen in Moda Bake Shop, it's simple, but fun.

The rest of my weekend was spent helping my husband get some things done in the back yard for the upcoming wedding.  We will have family here with us, and want to spend all our spare time just hanging out and talking and cooking and eating.  So we needed more outdoor space to do this.  He found plans on line and we built a picnic table and are working on a fire pit.

it's nice and sturdy.

needs a few more bricks

We are going to have so much fun!! I can't wait.  Now, back to Nina.  I've got lots to do.
Have a great week.

After the Storm

What a weekend.  So much destruction all up and down the coast.  Our beaches, our cities, our bridges, our homes.  We have been here before, during hurricane Fran.  I never knew before then, that a hurricane could cause so much damage inland.  So when they said Irene was coming I felt a bit of fear, deep down inside.  I didn't really acknowledge it.

Now we were lucky here in Chapel Hill.  Hardly any rain and wind for a few short hours, but it was scary.  We sat on our front porch for several hours and watched the wind blow the trees around.  Every time the wind began to gust, my husband would stand up and look and I would stop what I was doing and watch... until it stopped again.  I was sewing yo-yos for my yo-yo along.  I kept that up for about 3 hours straight.  It was a way to pass the time until it was over.  A way to calm the nerves.

I was able to sew almost 50 yo-yos during that time.  When it was over... this was all the damage:

a few leaves

one small branch

This was a far cry from the many trees of Fran's wrath.  The next morning, the light looked different from all the leaves that blew away.

But also because summer is almost gone.  Fall is around the corner now.  I hope that we don't have another weekend like this one. 

I also packed up my Bernina and took her to the shop for a tune up  It was way past time for it.  I will miss her and use this time to finish up some hand sewing that I need to do.  If all else fails I will make yo-yos.  I still have 685 left to do you know.  And she'll only be gone a week.

Bye.  See you soon.  And of course I have tons of ideas jumping in my brain right now to try, but I have to wait until my Bernina is home again.  Then we will create again.

Have a great week.