My 1964 white Singer Featherweight is a pure joy to sew on…NOW.

Miss Fussypants (aka “Crystal”) had been giving me bouts of grief ever since she arrived in May. It all started with skipped stitches. She went to see the Singer technician. No more skipped stitches but still really tight and the machine seemed to struggle when sewing. Technician told me I would eventually need to replace the hook assembly. Did that. Adjusted the hand wheel and collar. Put on a Super Belt from the Featherweight Shop (hint: dust back of belt with cornstarch if it tries to jump the track). Purchased a pedal adapter so I could use the Bakelite foot controller without hurting my foot. Despite all this attention, Miss Fussypants was still not playing nice.

I was seriously considering selling Miss Fussypants when someone at the ATL Quilt Study Group suggested I try swapping out the foot controller. I’d purchased an electronic foot controller for my classic black Featherweight, so I had an original Bakelite foot controller that I knew worked well (it went with me to the FW retreat in Idaho back in June and had been adjusted by FW Shop staff).

What do you know? It worked! I have great control using the pedal adapter. Now, Crystal (fna “Miss Fussypants”) literally purrs. I can’t wait to start on the next round of Granny’s Flower Garden blocks from Lori Holt.

Additional accessories that I like for my Featherweight.

Super Belt from the Featherweight Shop
Thread Post from the Featherweight Shop (I’ve had better luck using this with my white FW and the thread stand with my black FW)
LED light from the Featherweight shop (bright white)
Ruffled spool pin doily
Dritz needle threader
Open toe foot (can buy 5mm low shank foot or snap on to work with adapter)

 

 

 

Last year, I attended a lecture by Meg Cox where she discussed the future of the quilting industry as the age of the “average quilter” continues to increase. I’m about a decade behind the “average quilter” but I can relate to much of what she said. Generally speaking, the “average quilter” already has all the machines, notions, thread, books and other stuff he/she is likely to ever need. Said quilter also has a fair amount of disposable income to devote to his/her hobbies. Marketers are designing destination travel geared specifically toward this demographic.

That’s certainly something to look forward to when I retire, but hey, I’m interested in retreats I can attend NOW while I’m still working full-time!

Retreat organizers – consider scheduling week-long retreats from June to mid-July, or 3 day weekend retreats in late September to mid-October and again in mid-February to mid-March. You’re more likely to reach those quilters with disposable income who are still working full-time. You might even attract younger sewists who can manage 3 day retreats, but not an entire week.

Keep the costs reasonable. $2,000 for a weekend stitching retreat in New England in the fall is a bit beyond my budget (especially when I still have to factor in airfare and car rental). And no, I’m not going to pay $495 for a one day EPP class – regardless of the instructor. Yes, there are those who will, just not me.

Fortunately, someone has listened. I’m already signed-up for a FW retreat in 2020. It’s during a week in July that I can attend. It’s only a few hours away by car. Nationally known teachers conducting the classes. The best part? All accommodations, meals and fees combined are less than the registration fee I paid to attend a retreat last summer in Idaho.

This means more $$ in my pocket to spend on supplies and other sewing events during the year.

And a quilter hooked on destination travel who will have the time to attend those amazing retreats in 5-7 years!

So, I purchased this tumbler from a quilt shop in the Atlanta area last spring. It is a constant presence in my sewing studio. It even traveled with me to the JK Quilts/Featherweight Shop retreat in McCall, Idaho last summer. Do you have an idea of how much I love this particular tumbler? Besides the cuteness factor, it’s the perfect size and shape for my small hands to hold.

I lost the lid!

Since it’s not a Tervis product with lids available almost everywhere, trying to find a replacement lid that fit was like finding a needle in a haystack.

I’m happy to report that replacement lids and straws are available from Tritan USA. If you have a tumbler from your Baby Lock dealer that looks like this, then you might want to bookmark the TritanUSA site for future reference.

You’re welcome.