Week 2 is in the books. Thank goodness. I had a nagging feeling that perhaps this week’s project was a little too ambitious for them to complete in the allotted class time. I was right. My current students don’t have a working sewing machine at home, so they weren’t able to practice between classes. They spent almost 30 minutes winding bobbins and “practicing” their stitching before we even began. My Nascar and Indy driver wannabes went full throttle on their machines (despite constant reminders to slow down from me, the shop owner and their mom) until they had to rip out some stitches and redo the really bad stitching. The shop owner graciously agreed we could use the classroom space on Monday to finish our project, so I’m thankful for that.
Both of my students liked the mechanical machine available in the quilt shop the best, so I stopped by the “donor” sewing machine shop to inquire about obtaining a second machine to use for my classes. The model in the quilt shop is the Jem Gold 3, which is okay, except I wanted the ability to do a true satin stitch, which the Jem Gold 3 does not. Enter the MyStyle 100. It met all of my requirements – top load bobbin, adjustable stitch width and length and is easy to use. The only thing it didn’t have was a needle threader…which is easily remedied by purchasing the Janome accessory needle threader (and it works better, too!). The price point is $199 for the machine, which makes it budget friendly and you’re supporting a local business. The machine sews a nice stitch, is quiet and fairly lightweight. I would consider this one for a travel machine to take to class or as a student machine in my mobile sewing classroom – if my business expands to offer an after-school stitching club.
Now mind you, I have a 15 year old Kenmore mechanical that I bring to class for their use (made by Janome) and neither one wants to us it. Don’t know why…they sure like to use the accessory feet I have for my machine.
Come Stitch With Me, LLC 