Hi everyone! Thanks so much for all your words of encouragement from last post...I am going to get a walking foot, or better yet...maybe a sewing machine? I would love a new one, mine is a $79.00 one from Walmart. Maybe that is not the exact price, but it was under $100.00. It has been fine, but has a few tension tangles at times. What is your favorite piecing machine??Above is the big blue and yellow sampler...the borders are now attached. Yippee!! I need to piece a backing. At this point, it is about 100 x 108 inches. Pretty big for me...the biggest top I have ever pieced, in fact!! I had a ball doing it!!
And now for something a little smaller...remember Bonnie Hunter's scrappy blocks? I was wondering if I could use my 1.5 inch strips and make these blocks, and this is what I came up with. They are so cute and little! I plan to make 12 of these, for just a little wall quilt to hand quilt on. This will use a little bit up of the bin of 1.5 inch strips/squares.
I finished hand quilting Lori of Humble Quilts doll quilt. I love this so much, thank you dear Lori. I made a motif...cut out of a spare circular, kind of like a pioneer quilter would use, anything at hand. This is what I quilted in the cheddar blocks.
Here is the whole thing after washing...I love it! Very old fashioned looking, I think.
I enjoy hunting and gathering rocks. I found this one, kind of hollowed out, and made a candle holder out of it.
Out of thrown away antibiotic bottles from the hospital, I made these candle holders. I should put some tiny colored rocks or something in the bottom...hmmm, will try that. Guess I am just in a crafty mood!
We went to a wonderful state park, McKinley Falls state park in Austin Texas, recently. This is one of the falls. Have no idea who the guy was...I was just shooting at the falls. Water gives me such energy, I love water falls, creeks, rivers, etc. Do you???Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend...and has a wonderful week!!
Julie
21 comments:
I love being around water. When I saw our current house I hated it until I heard the river behind it, saw the pond next to it and the lake on the other side of the neighborhood. We fixed the house!
As for sewing machines. I love my Juki TL-98E (there is a TL-98Q now that was not available when I bought mine.) It only does straight stitching but it's perfect and FAST! It's great for FM quilting too.
Wow you finished the yellow/blue top!!! I can't wait to see the finished product...it is awesome.
I like to use my Janome Memory Craft 3500 for piecing....it is about 10 years old. I also have a Singer featherweight that I enjoy. Love your little quilt blocks, be sure to post the finished quilt. When I was at retreat, Jo Morton was working on the Cheddar and Crackers quilt....I never did get mine started! Love the way yours turned out!
Such beautiful quilts for such a little investment! Yes, you would probably find machine quilting easier with an updated machine and how cool would that be? Machine shopping! Wahoo! My favorite is an older Bernina (1090). It's my favorite. If you could find a used one, I would recommend it. But there are so many fun ones out there..shop and check them all out.
The featherweights are fun but not as good for sewing long strips of fabric together...like borders,etc..IMHO
Love the water shots. That's a beautiful park.
I have a Husqvarna Lily which I bought purely for the decorative blanket stitch. It is ok except for going over thick seams. Last year I bought a little Janome Gem to take to sewing and it is perfect for piecing and really light and compact for travelling. Your blue and yellow quilt is huge (didn't look that big in the photos) and I love your little blocks.
I have had a janome, bernina, and now a pfaff. I love janome and pfaff...love what you are doing!
Your quilt looks fantastic! :-) And love your little candle holders~ very clever! As for sewing machines, I have a pfaff and love it to pieces. The walking foot is all built in, nothing to attach. :-)
You have pieced that blue and yellow very accurately and well so obviously an expensive machine is not necessarily required. My advice would be to really try out machines in the shop - don't be pushed; try the things you are finding not so easy now on all the machines and never buy on the spot...go away and compare then go back - speaking from experience here...I jumped right in and realised later I had not explored all the options.
Lots of work going on at your house..with all the big and little quilts going on. I am trying to make a table runner and can't find my walking foot...so am fighting with the wrinkles like you mentioned.
The little candle holders made fromthe antibiotics jars are so cute. Suggestion for what to put around them...color some salt with chalk...just rub the chalk against the sand and pour it into the jars...would coordinate and not spend much money.
Have a great week.
I'm sure you're going to get as many suggestions about machines as people who leave comments. I guess we all love our own machines and mine happens to be a Bernina Aurora 440. I also have a Bernina 1080 Quilter's Edition which was the last steel machine that Bernina made. It's a workhorse and never misses a stitch...just like a Timex...but that's a tick. (wink)
The blue and yellow sampler is going to be smashing when it's done, Julie. It's a biggie!
Great job on the little guys too. You've been a busy lady!
Sewing machines are like cars, get a new one and learn where all the buttons and dials are. I like my Pfaff 'cus of the built in walking foot. Plus I wanted needle up/down (my biggest priority) and I LOVE the blanket stitch this machine does.
I have a jamone 9000, I love it, it does my sewing and free hand quilting. Really like your quilt top very pretty, also you little candle holder are adorable!
You know how much I love the blue/yellow quilt, but I am not smitten with the new blocks you created from the strips. I've got to try making some. Thanks for the idea.
Love the waterfall! All your quilts look great! My sewing machine is a Brother I got from Wal-Mart. I think it was $114 at the time. I dream of someday having a nicer machine but this one works just fine for now.
You deserve a new sewing machine! And with a walking foot for sure. It will make a world of difference.
Your yellow & blue quilt is going to be big enough to cover Kansas! It is going to be a beauty.
Congrats on another finish!
I love water too...I hope to retire near the lake.
I love my Brother 1500 for piecing and quilting. Nothing fancy, nothing computerized to break, no extra stitches, just great straight stitches! It's exactly like the Juki.
You have done amazing work with a lower-end machine......and I am very impressed. You will do even more amazing work with a bit more powerful machine, too. Once I got rid of my Janome that was defective (after quite a fight with the dealer and having to involve the CEO of the company), I have been very satisfied so far with the replacement machine. I was also happy with the Husqvarna I had before that, but it didn't have all the features I wanted, so that is why I went with a newer machine. Good luck with your search. There are a lot of good machines out there, so take your time and try a lot of them out before you decide!
That bright blue border really makes the sampler sparkle! Good choice.
Love the scrappy blocks--little quilts are fun.
We were around water this weekend too and it was revitalizing. Funny, I live in a beach town and never go to the beach, just drive by a sliver on the way to and from work everyday.
I have a Husqvarna that DH bought me 8+ years ago. It was expensive (1K) but has lasted and never has tension problems. Maybe you can find some good quality machine used?
How exciting to be thinking of a new sewing machine!!
I love the quilting in the cheddar squares! The quilt looks fantastic!!
Also am digging the little scrappy blocks. Looks like you've been busy!
Definitely need a walking foot, but a new machine would be even better. Everyone will have their favourites, but it comes down to price and availability of servicing and spare parts. Most retailers will be quite happy for you to test drive...
There's something so calming about water... from showering/bathing to splashing around in the ocean, little water features... very soothing...
Oh your cheddar doll quilt turned out wonderful! I"ve got to get going on mine!
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