Updating CraftLAB sewing machines

April 20, 2026

The upcoming school year will be one of change as my private students will be heading off to college or new private schools. CraftLAB sessions will continue with new faces already joining in on the fun. I am also assisting guild members with teen sewing programs at area libraries.

All three current CraftLAB sewing machines have been recently serviced and are in good working order. Two were made by Brand A and one was made by Brand B. The kids gravitate toward the Brand A machines, even though the Brand B machine is “prettier” and does a lot more fancy stitches. They tell me the Brand A machines “work a lot better”. Translation? Brand A doesn’t jam and chew fabric like Brand B does.

It will certainly be easier for everyone (including me) if the Brand B machine were re-homed and replaced with another Brand A machine. The existing machine they all like the best has two additional color options available. Students were happy to provide feedback and chose the red & white version. If it’s not available, they would prefer another one like the one we currently have.

I spotted a used Brand A machine at a local sewing machine shop a few weeks ago. Ken’s Sewing Center in Alabama has the Brand A variation that the kids liked now in stock. I’ll give both dealers a call tomorrow. Regardless, I’ve already ordered the wide extension table from another online retailer! Those little tables are hard to come by and are about 1/3 the cost of a custom acrylic Sew Steady table. Monies received for selling the Brand B machine will cover the purchase of our new CraftLAB machine.

Is it critical that I replace the Brand B sewing machine? Absolutely not! Updating the CraftLAB machines to a common manufacturer keeps things simple for me. That’s the real reason I’m considering buying a new machine.

Edited to add: I shopped the two local Janome dealers to look at the red TravelMate 30 (TM30). Floor model price at one dealer – $349.00 and sealed box price at the other dealer – $449.00. Honestly, I really wanted the red & white Elna 450 because I knew it would fit inside my wheeled underseat travel bag. I called Ken’s Sewing Center to ask some questions about the Elna 450 and the salesperson offered to throw in the 1/4″ foot with guide at no extra charge. I placed an order!

FWIW – Sewing Parts Online is also advertising Elna 450 sewing machines for the same price as Ken’s Sewing Center. If you live in the Nashville area, it might be worth a short drive to pick up as their lead time was 7-10 business days for an online order delivery. My new machine from Ken’s Sewing Center should be here on Friday afternoon (2-3 days).

A spontaneous weekend quilt retreat

April 18, 2026

This morning, a friend attending the JK Quilts spring retreat in Boise, Idaho texted pictures of the daily projects and swag she’d received so far. I’d opted not to attend this year, largely due to travel costs and the purchase of my Elna 782. Besides, family, therapy dog and quilt show commitments meant my travel wings were already clipped through mid-June (possibly longer).

Last night, I left our monthly book club meeting a tad envious after hearing the exciting travel plans shared by several members in the group. My husband reminded me that once our current season passes, we’ll be able to travel again. After his visit to MD Anderson in two weeks, we’ll know what’s ahead and can plan accordingly.

I knew I’d have the weekend to myself as my husband will be at a TR conference in Jacksonville. Once I saw the daily project pictures and found the supplies for one already in my stash, I decided to host my own mini quilt retreat.

Mini-Retreat Project:
Little Flag mini-quilt from Ten Sisters Handicraft

I actually have a package of the grid panels in the correct size in my stash! Carmen Geddes taught a class at Mountain QuiltFest a couple of years ago that was a lot of fun. My fall-themed wall hanging turned out absolutely adorable! The flag pattern is a free download from their website.

Projects to complete:
(1) Add borders to M50 Luau quilt.
(2) Spray baste Gingham quilt for grid design with walking foot.

“Potential” excursions for Sunday afternoon:
Sew Senoia or Stitched to buy backing fabric for M50 Luau quilt.

Happy retreating!

Summer Quilt Camp is coming together

April 15, 2026
Ascot by Villa Rosa Designs was the project selected by students to make at our quilt camp in late July.

Project? Check!
The kids finally agreed on a project. To make the pattern more kid-friendly, we’ll go with a 5×6 layout instead of the 6×7 layout shown in the pattern. Students have the option to provide their own layer cake bundle or shop my stash. One student began pulling fabric from my stash Sunday afternoon while another one ordered hers online.

Dates and Times? Check!
Parents were surveyed. We now have an official week for quilt camp (last week before public school start date) as well as, the schedule (Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.).

Logistics:
Students will bring their own sewing machines and leave them set up for the week. Yes, I have a back-up plan for possessed machines and potential student(s) without a sewing machine.

Everything will be precut so students can start sewing. A completed quilt in the smaller size by the end of camp is a reasonable expectation – especially from the girls who went to SQTM summer camps with me. It all depends on on their level of focus and the amount of socializing. My goal is for each camper to go home with a finished quilt top at a minimum.

Sewing space configuration will be finalized once I know the exact number of participants. I may need to get a little creative if more than 3 kids reach the machine quilting stage during camp, but we’ll make it work!