Showing posts with label Sewing Machines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sewing Machines. Show all posts

Saturday, December 26, 2020

A NEW sewing machine!!

Hello my dear blogging friends!!! 
warm wishes
I'm so excited for the new year as I forecast much more sewing in my future!
Yep!  I just upgraded my sewing machine! I patiently waited for the "after Christmas sale
and treated myself . (Hubby was so good to come and be my "carry" guy.)

It's literally been TEN years since I bought  my first "real sewing machine":

...and we bought our daughter her FIRST sewing machine!

I've often been very frustrated with the small arm on my current machine, yet didn't want to give up my comfort level with it. Soooo with a little help and guidance from a dear sewing friend, 
I just simply upgraded my machine:
 
She's going to come over tomorrow to give me a quick tutorial and I have a new table on order.
I'll spend a good part of this evening just reading the manual and playing.
But! I am soooo excited! 
I honestly don't know why I waited so long to do this. I can only imagine how much easier it's going to be so sew borders and bindings onto my quilts with this 10" arm. Anyhooo....wow! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to me....as I look forward to sewing in 2021 with this new "toy" .
With Smiles!
Val:)

Friday, February 16, 2018

Back to Basics Checklist

Twelve hour parent conference days are now behind me and 
I settled into my studio today as I began to enjoy a four day weekend...at home!
I love being home and am looking forward to a little "at-home" sewing retreat of my own. 
But! Before I do, I thought it would be a good time to get back to the basics and 
give my sewing machines and tools some much needed TLC!
You can get in every last nock & cranny to grab all the dust bunnies hiding inside your sewing machine with this pipe cleaner brush. Learn how to make it on The Sewing Loft
Love this idea. Click HERE to check it out.
I created a checklist to share....
1. LINT CHECK: Pull out those screw drviers, remove the foot plate and bobbin and clean out the lint. Perhaps add a a few drops of oil.
2. CHANGE THE NEEDLE: I am much better about changing the needle on my long-arm than I am on my sewing machine. Admittedly, I wait till a needle breaks to even think about changing it. With tha said, I can't even pluck blood from my finger with my current needle! Egads right! Seriously, my stitches are better, tension wonderful and my machine hums now.
3. CHANGE YOUR ROTARY BLADE: Why do we allow ourselves to struggle with cutting? I read, as soon as the blade starts to skip and not cut through the same amount of fabric consistently, change it. Don't wait. Oh and while you are at it, also wipe the lint from the rotary cutter. 
4. CHECK YOUR SEAM RIPPER: If you use a ripper for your stitches check to see if the pointed end feels dull. If is is, buy a new one. I'm learning they don't last forever, and the dull end actually makes it harder to rip those stitches out as I find myself catching fabric more.
Image result for tinlizzie18
I also got my long-arm back from getting it's first over-haul of maintenance and parts replaced since I bought it six years old. OH you should hear it hum. I'm humbly reminded that our machines are an investment that need the same maintenance and TLC that our cars and other appliances with motors get. Soooooo now I'm curious to know if you are better at routine machine/tool maintenance than me? And if so, please do share how you remind yourself to do so as for me, time seems to pass so fast.

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.
I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

My New Embroidery Machine!

Welcome to the "family" my new-to-me Embroidery Machine!
Yep, I've been keeping an eye out for a good deal...and I finally found a great one.
Merry Christmas to me!!

 I took my introductory class on Tuesday. 

I then spent the better half  of Wednesday's 8 degree, freezing fog day 
learning about VP3 files and uploading software. 

I even figured out how to download a pattern, convert it and get it on my sewing machine!
(This IS big deal stuff for me...as I'm usually a little impatient at this kind of thing.)

Oh the sewing wasn't without some errors...but I just kept telling myself what my instructor said: "Give yourself time to learn" . 

 I got things back up and going in no time. I mean what's a little tension anyways!

It was so fun to watch this little guy evolve...

I had a "dense stitch area"  issue when I switched to the black. Thus, I messed up his little black toes and you'll notice his face is a little "off" LOL! But I'm learning. And our grand guy has a new pillow: 
I just used some scrap minky and flannel to whip this little pillowcase together. He'll love it!

It has "warmed" up to 15 degrees today, but even Jackson won't go outside for a walk. Lucky  me! That means I now have more time to make all the the kitchen towels pretty and enough time to finish the quilt I have on the long-arm before all the Christmas activities begin!
Happily sewing on this Winter Break of mine.

Val's Quilting Studio

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Tuesday Archives #123: Featherweight Sewing Machines

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! 
Please click here to read more about this linky party.  
Val's Quilting Studio

This week's theme is: 

Featherweight Sewing Machines 


.:



 I'm looking forward to having everyone's Featherweights gathered in one post this week. I even have a post of my own to rejuvenate!! Wahooo! Happy Tuesday everyone, link your Featherweight post right here: 
1. Val's: Vintage Meets Modern  5. Tanya Quilts in CO  9. Featherweight for mother's day present!  
2. Nancy@PugMomQuilts: Meet Pinky!  6. Tanya Featherweight Storage  10. margiestitcher  
3. Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine Review  7. History of Sewing Machines  11. Needled Mom  
4. Embroidered Carry Bag for Featherweight 221  8. Happy Cottage Quilter  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
JOIN US for my Fourth Annual Piggy Bank Challenge.
Click HERE to read more about it. Help spread the word and join in!
Click the picture to read more!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Tuesday Archives #84: Vintage Sewing Machines

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 
Val's Quilting Studio
You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.

This week's theme is Vintage Sewing Machines: 

I knew immediately that I'd highlight my blogging buddy Marianne who blogs at Adventurous Quilter. We starting blogging at the same time. We met in person in 2013 as she was on vacation and planned a visit. (My town was on her route.) It's always fun to meet a blogging friend in person isn't it. Marianne has 22!!! Yes! I said 22 vintage sewing machines.
They are all unique and original like Patty:
You can click here to see all her Sewing Machines. BTW, Ava continues to be my favorite!

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)
Thank youFabrics N Quilts for your linky support! Though this sponsorship is ending, I wanted to wish them good luck in their local endeavors, shows & pattern writing.
And hey, If you'd like to be a sponsor in this spot, please send me an email. 


Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Tuesday Archives #73: Our Sewing Machines!

Hey Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 
Val's Quilting Studio
Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! 
You can always click here to read more about this linky party if you are new to this ol' blog.
And remember, every time you link up counts as an entry for our monthly
 $15.00 gift certificate to Fabric N Quilts. 
Man! I haven't even been through all of last week's scrappy links and here it is Tuesday already!
 How is it some weeks go like that?? 

Well, this week's theme highlights our Sewing Machines.

Have you ever posted about your sewing machine or machine(s)?? If so, dig through those archives and rejuvinate them today. If not, perhaps write a new post, highlighting your "baby". I always keep Tuesday Archives open until Friday and since we are on the letter S, I couldn't resist the opportunity for us to share our sewing machines. This is my one of my "babies".
She's already five years old and does a good job keeping up with my heavy foot! (Hahaha...Tanya I hear you laughing!!) I like her decorative stitches and that she's simple for me to use. 


I also have my little featherweight, which I admittably need to use more.
I like that it's easy to travel with and her old fashion oil smell. (Is that wierd?? LOL!)

And finally, there's Lizzie.
My mid-life splurge!
I pretty much like everything about her. It's taken awhile for me to build my confidence and get over the overwhelmingness of it. But, I also like the challenge that there is just soooo much I still have to learn and try. She should keep my mind sharp for many years to come! LOL!

Of course, I'm curious what kind of machine(s) use and what you like about them. Share them right here: (Oh! And hubby and I are off for a mountain vacation for a few days, so I'll post our August themes on the sidebar this weekend when we get back.) 
1. Singer 99K  12. Brother PQ 1500S  23. Two Ladies in the Room  
2. Bernina 440QE  13. Tanya Quilts in CO Featherweight  24. My Little Beauty  
3. Nita's Watermelon Pink Vintage Machine  14. Busy Hands Quilts Antique 31-15 Long-arm machine  25. My Longarm Pete  
4. Juki TL-2010Q  15. Laura  26. New Addition!  
5. Pink Featherweight  16. How to Clean/Care for your older sewing machine  27. 1927 Singer  
6. Maartje quilts in Amsterdam  17. Pfixing the Pfaff  28. 201-2 Singer  
7. Kate  18. History of the Sewing Machine  29. When Husband and Quilt Show Meet  
8. Debbie@ The Quilt Journal.com  19. How to Drive Yourself Crazy Without Even Trying  30. Jean's Quilting Page EZ-Q  
9. Krista in Ottawa  20. New Travel Machine  31. Juki TL2010Q  
10. Julie@Pink Doxies Janome Horizon  21. An Ordinary Day Goes Wild  32. Featherweight 221  
11. Juki TL 98E & Bernina 1020  22. Michelle's Romantic Tangle  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Vintage meets Modern

Yesterday I dug out my ol' featherweight and was intrigued by this contrast of vintage meeting modern as I quietly sewed the binding onto my almost finished T-Shirt quilt.
 As I listened to it hum along, I found myself daydreaming about garments it might have sewn so many years before. It was relaxing. Looking forward to sewing on it more today.
With smiles,
Val:)

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Sewing Cabinet Refurbished

Before


 After

THANK YOU for all your comments on my previous post. The wood of the cabinet was not in very good condition, so my dad decided to sand it down and restored it to "fit" into our primitive decor using a black satin spray paint. I love it so much that I decided to set it up next to a window in our diningroom. I plan to follow up on all your references and once I get the machine up & going I think this will be a perfect spot to start sewing my eye spy quilt

Meanwhile, the rest of my weekend will be spent enjoying a household of family. Umm...no body told me being a grandma meant rearranging all my lower kitchen cabinets! LOL!
Happy Weekend!
With smiles,
Val:)

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Look what $15.00 bought me!

Treasure Find #1:

Hidden inside this case:

Was this:

For FIVE DOLLARS...and it works! 
All's it needs is a new light bulb and a belt: (ya think!)

Treasure Find #2:

Check out what's inside here: 

 Ta!Da!
 I seriously have no clue about either of these. (LOL!) But we were out garage sale hunting for a high chair and came across them. On day one, they wanted $100.00 for them both...by late Sunday afternoon...they were lined up on the sidewalk just waiting for my final return! 

And seriously,my treasure hunting didn't even end there 
as I found all this inside one of the drawers:
The best $15.00 I've spent in a long time don't ya think!?
I can't wait to research these and get them busy sewing. I guarantee future posts. But in the mean time, if you have any websites you would recommend me to use to start my research, please do leave them in the comments, I'd be sooo appreciative. Linking up with my blogging buddy Marianne at her linky: Thrift Thursday and a few other linky parties that are on my "party" page. Check them out.
With smiles!
Val:)
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