Author: Teresa

Quilts, good books and dogs. Plus a cup of tea. Life is good.

Holiday Reflections

December 30, 2023

Mid-December was a whirlwind as we celebrated Christmas a little early with our extended families. Sadie & I managed to get in a couple of extra facility visits, too, which brought cheer to staff and guests. Kids were out of school by 12/19, so CraftLAB was in session for holiday crafting. Sadie was overjoyed to see her fan club!  We even added a new member to CraftLAB! Somewhere in all the festivities, hubs and I managed to catch the crud that’s been making the rounds. It made for a rather low-key Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Being sick also meant that my SUV sat idle for a couple of days. The intermittent dead battery saga continues; however, we now know the underlying issue is a lot more complicated than first thought. Apparently my driving the SUV daily recharged the battery just enough to mask any power drain. Preliminary tests by the local mechanic pointed to a computer control module somewhere in the vehicle causing a 1 amp parasitic battery draw. (This is enough to drain a battery in 24-36 hours.) This is a dealer issue, so my vehicle will be there next week. I’m grateful we caught this now instead of me being stranded somewhere.

I’ve really enjoyed the Christmas season this year (which is a big deal because I normally don’t enjoy the month of December) and look forward to ringing in the new year.  I’m ready for two online quilting events happening New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Will I see you in the livestream chat?

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

The Christmas Season

December 15, 2023

Even my sewing space has a Christmas tree this year! It’s been a while since I decorated the entire house. Christmas finally feels “normal” again. Our mailbox has Christmas cards. I wrapped several presents using actual wrapping paper instead of gift bags. Clark Howard’s Christmas Kids is in-person this year. Invites to holiday parties, luncheons and dinners have returned. Several homes in my area have really pulled out all the stops with their exterior holiday lights. Likewise, our local town has upped its game with new light displays and holiday event offerings. Big Girl enjoys our evening rides to look at Christmas lights. I’ve made sugar cookies, crafted with the kids, and re-discovered some favorite holiday movies.

Gifts this year are practical and/or handmade. I made a personalized READ pillow for each of my nieces and nephews. My inner librarian thoroughly enjoyed spending time at B&N selecting the just-right book and magazine for each kid.

Here’s to a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. I’ll be offline enjoying the season with family and friends. See you in 2024!

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Easy upgrades for your sewing machine that just make sense

December 13, 2023

Nowadays, many people buy their sewing machines online or from a big box store. Your sewing machine probably came with a few basic accessories including an all purpose foot, zipper foot and a buttonhole foot. With a few simple additions, you can make your sewing time more productive, enjoyable and comfortable. I’m sharing what upgrades I made to my Elnita EC30, which I use at home, for teaching and as a travel machine.

  1. Upgrade your presser foot thumb screw to one that is more ergonomic. Janome uses the thumb screw pictured on the far right on its higher end machines. The same screw also fits the lower end Janome and Elna machines. Well worth the $4.00 investment. Your fingers will thank you.
  2. Add the feet also featured in the photo: 1/4″ foot, zigzag foot with the spring (if your machine didn’t come with one), and an open toe foot.
  3. Add an LED light strip, especially if the machine’s lighting is dim.
  4. Buy a mat to place under your sewing machine. It cuts down on machine bouncing and protects your table.
  5. Consider an extension table, especially if you travel or take your machine to sew days and classes.

6. Invest in a comfy seat cushion, This one stays packed in a canvas tote I take to sew days. It also comes in handy if I decide to sew at the kitchen table while streaming a movie.
7. A wheeled sewing machine trolley is also nice to have if you plan to sew outside your home with friends, attend retreats or take classes. Visit your local big box craft store to see what’s available. 

Do you plan to RV, fly, or travel extensively with your sewing machine? Consider a padded bag or a wheeled under seat carry-on. I have flown with my Featherweight and my Elna STAR in a 16″ black Travelpro underseat bag. The ATL airport is huge and I do not want to schlep a sewing machine on my shoulder the entire way. It took some maneuvering but I managed to get the Elnita EC30 safely in the case. Here she is packed for a flight. Normally, she travels in a different case when going by car. I’d like to take her to Boise, Idaho next May. Friends have told me that they’ve found similar rolling totes at Costco and Walmart. Whatever you decide, don’t put your machine in the cargo hold.

If you’re a quilter, you’ll probably want to add some specialty feet such as an open toe walking foot, quilting guides and a free motion foot.

If you’re into garment and heirloom sewing, you may want to add other specialty feet.

Visit your sewing machine manufacturer’s website to learn about compatible accessories available for your machine.

Places to buy extra feet and sewing machine accessories:
Ken’s Sewing Center
Pocono Sew & Vac
Amazon.com
Sewing Parts Online

Any products linked in this post are products I actually purchased and use with my own sewing machine(s). I receive no renumeration for any of these recommendations. I’m merely a satisfied customer sharing what worked for me to help newer sewists improve their knowledge.