Let’s Tidy Up the Quilt Room – And Vacation

Let’s Tidy Up the Quilt Room – And Vacation

August 6, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
Quilt Room - My Station

Quilt Room – My Station

If you recall a few weeks back I had received some new sewing cabinets from Arrow Sewing Cabinets that were an incredible deal.  They were moving their facilities and had some available at a STEAL!

Well this weekend I finally got around to un-boxing them and setting them up.  It will be great for my mom and my friend Joann to have a specific spot to come over and sew (which is not as often as I would like, that darn thing called life always seems to get in the way)

Quilt Room - Computer Setup

Quilt Room – Computer Setup

Anyway I now have a dedicated desk for the computer, as well as a blank spot for…well I’m sure it will collect things, but it’s nice to have a blank spot to sort, etc.

While I was arranging everything, I came to the conclusion that I needed more things on the wall.  I want to make my own design wall, and then…even though for years I’ve said how much I hate them…I want to get….a wall hanging!!!  There I said it!  For years I’ve been saying how much I hate them in a house….but in this particular instance, in a quilt room setting it seems appropriate.  🙂

Quilt Room - Joann's Station

Quilt Room – Joann’s Station

This week I will be going on vacation. (YAY!)  Karl and I are headed out to visit friends and family in Washington state.  His parents live in Coupeville, WA and I have some friends in Ephrata, WA.

So for the first 4 days I will be spending time with my quilting friends in Ephrata.  My friend Cindi is the owner of The Fabric Patch and has recently opened a Quilt Retreat Center (which is where I will be

Quilt Room - Mom's Station

Quilt Room – Mom’s Station

staying!)  And then my long-arm quilter Charisma (Owner of Charisma’s Corner – Long-Arm Quilting).  I can’t wait, we always have a wonderful time.  Lots of laughing, and inspiration, it will be GREAT!

Then I meet Karl and his family and we embark on an Alaskan cruise (a gift from Karl’s dad to the family last Christmas).  It’s going to be a really fun week, and I’m really looking forward to it.  I hope I see a polar bear!!  So I’m going to try and update my blog while I am away, but with internet service, etc on a cruise I can’t guarantee it!

Have a wonderful day!  Happy Quilting!

Filed Under: Equipment, General, LQS
My First Machine, Bernice

My First Machine, Bernice

July 28, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
aurora-430_0

Bernina Aurora 430

Getting into quilting can be scary, and some of the tools you need to have can be spendy.  The most expensive and important tool being your sewing machine.  Here’s the story on how I purchased my very first sewing machine.   (It’s a long story, so bear with me.)

When I first decided I wanted to start quilting I found my local quilt shop (Pine Needles Sewing Center) and set out to investigate what I needed.  I invited my friend Joann to come with me.  Joann worked with me at the school district, and thought quilting would also be fun.  So we go into the quilt shop for the first time.  What was my first impression?   OVERWHELMING, my local quilt shop has SO much stuff.  Fabric for days, all kinds of notions and thread, and machines everywhere.  It’s like stepping into the Candyland in Willy Wonka, but for quilters.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Pine Needles Sewing Center – Cedar Rapids, Iowa

We were greeted warmly and inquired about quilting lessons.  It was $60 for 3 months of lessons and “Start Quilting” was a part of those lessons.  So we both sign-up for the class.  Then my friend Joann decided she wants to look at their machines.  (Now please keep in mind the only sewing machines I have seen were at garage sales, and the craft isle at Wal-Mart.  The highest priced one I had seen up to this point was probably $400).

We start looking at different Bernina machines, the first one was called a Bernette and around $200, not so bad right?  So I’m feeling fancy because I have $500 saved up to buy a machine, so I ask about the Aurora 440 “Quilter’s Edition” thinking it might be a few hundred more.  Well that machine ranked in the thousands…THOUSANDS!!  (I chuckle now, but at that moment I was GOBSMACKED).

I politely smile and try not to look shocked, I have a used Kenmore at home, and decide for now, it will be fine.  We go about picking out fabric for our “Start Quilting” class, a few rulers we need, a book.  And then go to check out.  I ring up around $100 and pay.  My friend Joann goes to check out and her total is well, it’s a LOT more than mine.  I look at her and then the cashier, there MUST be some mistake, well there was no mistake Joann had purchased a new machine to go along with her class.  I think I almost fell over, I believe my exact words were, “You are crazy!”   Joann had purchased a sewing machine before, this wasn’t her first sewing machine rodeo, so she knew what to expect.  Gotta love Joann she keeps you on your toes!

cheeseandcrackers

Cheese & Crackers Quilt

At our first “Start Quilting” class we cut out our project, and have some time to sew on their classroom machines.  They sew nicely, then I take my project home to work on.  My Kenmore, was older, and sounded like all the nuts and bolts were loose.  Clickity-Clackity, rattling it’s little heart out, but hey it’s what I had and I was just excited to quilt.  The class progressed and as I worked more on the classroom machine, I realized how easy their machine was to work with.  It had a THREADER, and a beautiful hum to it, and stitching on it with the 1/4 inch foot was nice and easy.

Well I finished my quilt with that Kenmore, and then through saving and the generosity of friends and family (via gift cards) I walked into Pine Needles Sewing Center and asked them for an Aurora 430.  It was an exciting day because I had used this machine, and KNEW it was the right fit for me.  The first quilt I made on this machine was called “Cheese & Crackers” and I used dog themed fabric.  While making my “Cheese & Crackers” quilt I watched Designing Women (I like to watch old TV shows while I quilt) And the name for my new machine came to me….Bernice.

Do you remember Designing Women?  Bernice was played by Alice Ghostley and was my FAVORITE character on the show.  (Below is one of my all time favorite clips)


So when choosing a machine, make sure you USE it.  Ask to use a floor model, bring some things to sew.  Your machine is a large investment and you should LOVE it.  So don’t be shy to ask questions, get demos and feedback.  I personally would recommend a Bernina.  🙂

Happy Quilting!

P.S. – I feel like I should also disclose that I do not work for Bernina or get compensated to talk about their machines.  I’m simply a fan of their machine and have had a wonderful experience sewing on them.

Filed Under: Equipment, LQS, Sewing Machines
A Quilting Rut…

A Quilting Rut…

July 26, 2014 by · Leave a Comment

Do you ever fall into those moods:

  • You have a zillion great quilt ideas?
  • Patterns you are dying to try.
  • Fabric you can’t wait to use?
  • Then you get home have 4 hours of free time and NOTHING gets done?

You my friend are in a quilting RUT!

How do I know?  Cause I happen to be in one now.  I literally have TONS of ideas floating around in my head, a quilt pattern I have planned out and need to start producing…but my gumption seems to have gone by the wayside.

In truth there are a few things conspiring against me, a missing piece of equipment or certain color of fabric.  And because of that I feel like I can’t start ANYTHING on that project until I have all of my tools lined up in a row like a surgeon.  (OCD Much?)  Once I have everything I need, I normally throw myself into a project and go full bore.

Sadly, that hasn’t happened for me yet.  The good news is, I’m taking a vacation soon!  My in-laws gave the family a cruise to Alaska for Christmas.  (really excited about it).  I know what you’re thinking….Alaska has nothing to do with quilts, where are you going with this?  Well we are flying in a few days before the cruise and I get to hang out with my friends from Ephrata, Washington at the Fabric Patch Quilt Retreat House!!

I LOVE watching other people quilt, the little tricks they have, things you watch, and think, that makes perfect sense, how smart, why didn’t I think of that?  So I have no idea what project we’re going to work on.  But I know there will be fun, laughing, and sewing.  Just the little jump start I need to get me out of neutral and into drive.

I’ve also decided that I need to plugin to more classes at my LQS Pine Needles Sewing Center.  They offer TONS of them, and the price is right, $60 gets you a class ticket for 3 months.  Sign up for pretty much anything in that 3 month period.  Many times I think a project is out of my league because of the difficulty, well that’s where the classes come in.  Building my skills, and hopefully giving me a bit more quilting confidence.

So if you’re in a rut, go out to your LQS, sign up for that interesting class, Block of the Month, or upcoming retreat.  Sometimes you just need that spark to put a little charge back into your quilting!

Happy Quilting!

Filed Under: General, LQS