Another Row

I was really tired today and didn't do much.  I cleaned up a little and rearranged some fabrics into project packs.  I have way to much to do and wonder why I'm doing it.  I do enjoy learning some of these techniques.

One technique that I like is the Tube Method for making these strips.  The second Checkerboard strip for the wallhanging went together so easily today and that was great since I was tired.  Now it is joined to the Apple Row.

Checkerboard Row added

Autumn Wallhanging so far...

Next row involves learning to do a Dresden Plate.  This is going to be a small one so the blades are cut at 2".  Now I am sewing and experimenting to figure out how this template works.  As with most everything, I don't want to do it like it is designed.  I want to use a 5 inch square and the blades are working up to a 3 inch circle for the middle to be placed on a 14 inch square.  Way too big!  So tomorrow I will be playing and changing my design again.  But here's what I have so far.

Two Inch Blades

Oh, no!  Tomorrow I have to clean the carpet in the living room.  Dickens threw up again after eating something he shouldn't have of the plastic variety.  And I have to mow the lawn-sewing time will be severely limited.

Today, all the matches for the US Open were canceled :(   I wonder how they are going to make them all up.  I'll be outside for part of the day, but will have to remember to check on what's happening.

Go, Rafa!!!

Autumn Wallhanging: One More Row

The wallhanging got another row today even though it hasn't been joined yet.

Planet Applique Apple

I changed my mind about the previous apples I stitched and started over-nothing new for me.  I am really happy with the way these apples turned out.  Of course, I sewed the Pumpkin on the wrong side.

This is my design, so I wondered why I felt I had to go with my plan and not my mistake.  But I did  redo that too. Overall I felt it was a successful day.

Next row is a Dresden Plate Flower Row and I get to use my new Template and fool around with sizes, etc.

I also worked more on the Christmas mug rugs.  It will be some time before I start another mug rug project-too time consuming.

I am anxious to get these projects completed so I can quilt three 1930's quilts waiting.  I want to see how the Designer 1 works tension wise and if I can manage to keep to my FMQ plan.

Happy sewing!

New sewing machines

My "new-to-me" Designer 1 has kept me involved through the last several days.  I intend to get some pictures posted of what I have been working on, but I really wanted to check out a new fabric store that also sells sewing machines.  So, I went for a 1/2 hour drive to Bensonville.  The shop wasn't hard to find and I did check out the machines, especially the one I was interested in.  The Elna 7300 has a nice amount of throat space,  the floor model was available, the price was right and the size seemed very close to being right.  I will have to make a template of my cabinet space as it might be a very close fit.  Anyway, they will be checking on the availability of a new one on Tuesday and I will call about it then.  But, one of the cabinets on the floor was a perfect fit for that machine and it would actually work out better than mine, so I am thinking of ordering it. The cabinet has a wonderful extension on it for when you are sewing large quilts that will be a real advantage to the Koala I have. The price is half of what I paid for my current cabinet-which I will either keep or give away with my Viking Rose.  If none of my nieces or grandnieces want the Rose I will try to sell it.

I worked on more decorative stitches on the Designer and am getting the hang of them, but remain unimpressed.  They stitch out okay, but the backward and sideways stitching on them is not good.  See these mug rugs I used for the experimentation.  Yes, a Christmas UFO that might get finished after 3 months.

The next experimenting I did was on FMQing with the Designer.  I really like it!  Of course, the mug rugs were small and easily managed, but the stitches were very even I thought, considering I didn't even warm up or have a glass of wine.


Binding is next and I hope to find a stitch I will be satisfied with for tacking down the binding eliminating all that hand sewing which takes me forever.

On the way home I wanted to stop at JoAnn's to get a Dresden Plate template and found they had moved their store to a site previously occupied by Hancocks Fabrics and closer to home.  I will be shopping there more regularly now since it is only 10 minutes away.

All in all good stuff!!!