Quilting Practice

I've been working hard to practice the first two blocks in the Free Motion Quilting Challenge I'm doing.  I had to order some new supplies (lots of them) as I really had nothing to work with my new machine.

I now have two new feet that work, the first little ruler, gloves, expensive cotton thread (my machine LOVES it) and a slipper surface (teflon topper thingy majober).

The first two blocks are done.  The first one is just the squiggly meandering, and the second one (which I have a photo of) is the same, but also has a bit of ruler work in it. 

The other photos are just all my practice squiggly thingies which I'm posting as a way to see how I progress.

I'm having fun, and that's all that matter.

The Dark Side

Some of my friends worry that I might be moving over to the Dark Side when they hear I'm working on a quilt project.  I tell them to relax, it's just a way for me to keep busy when I really don't need to be sewing any clothes for myself...I just need to sew.

Awhile back I made that cute quilt top out of the batiks, but the top has been lying on a bed for some time now.  I'm so out of practice with quilting I just don't know where to begin.

Then the other day I saw reference to a freebie online challenge on free motion quilting, and I immediately signed up and got my practice quilt top finished.

And just a few minutes ago I finished up the pin-basting part, that is so darn painful.

I've been enjoying watching videos with the lovely lady who is leading the challenge, her name is Angela Walters, and she has some Classes, books and just seems like such a fun person.  And she even has a quilt shop not too far from where I live...so you know I'll be taking a trip up soon and having lunch with Melody and Judith (heck, that's what we do.)

Here's the quilt top, it's sock monkeys...how cute is that!

Started some Spring sewing

Not that the weather has gotten any warmer yet, but my clothes are definitely getting a bit looser.  Yea me!  So I decided a few new quick and easy t-shirts were in order.

I used my Silhouette Patterns Sweater Set pattern in a 4D to make a new muslin (actually the black shirt was my muslin, and it was perfect).  On the 2nd shirts I shortened just a bit above the bust, and also on the sleeve.  I raised the underarm also about 1/2" just to fix the shape a bit for my body.

I just drew a slightly lower neckline with a "sorta" V, and raised the back neckline a bit too.  The shirt is about 2 inches longer than the pattern.







I also resized the Classic Blouse Pattern using a straight size 4D and made a cute blouse, and then made another.





I also worked on a Lutterloh top, a woven tank, and this will be a great top for summer and I'll be making a few more (rayon challis will be perfect.)



Obviously I wasn't planning on posting these items as the photos aren't the best, just taken with my cell and a mirror.  But it's a great way for me to remember what I've made.

A New Machine Party

I recently purchased a new machine, a Brother S-7100A, which is an industrial machine.  I've been having a lot of fun working with it lately, but a real review will still have to wait.

But I thought I'd share some of the party pics.


This is not a machine you buy and bring home yourself.  It weighs a ton, and has it's own table and everything.  This is Jeff from Missouri Sewing Machine Company, who sold me my new machine.  He'd be more than happy to help you with any purchases also, seriously just give them a call, he can work with you over the phone.




I had to do some furniture rearranging to find room for this new machine.  My cutting table had always been against that back wall.  But this works.  You can see how Melody and Judith are totally at home in my sewing room...it might just be the wine to be honest, that's making them so comfortable.



Setting the baby up in its new space.



Jeff is showing me how it works.  He threaded it, filled it with oil, etc.



Checking tension on the bobbin.



I'm feeling pretty confident with it now.  We've done some stitching and I'm ready to go (or else I just had too much wine.)



Talk about a great party.  We enjoyed appetizers and wine and a new sewing machine.  Both Melody and Judith had a great time hanging out in my sewing room.