No thanks, I’ll use curbside pick-up at the competition from now on

February 19, 2024

Wal-Mart, you’ve lost a customer. I went in to buy 4 sets of colored markers for my students to use tomorrow. The store was a hot mess, but I managed to find what I came after. Since I was already there, I decided to pick up some other items on my shopping list. Big mistake. What’s up with all the health and beauty aid products in locked cases? Laundry products, too? When I perused the craft/sewing aisles, I noticed sewing machines, Cricut supplies and sewing notions in locked cases. What on earth? At that point, I decided it was time to check-out and leave. Oh, but not before I had to stand in line at the customer service counter to have my bill corrected because the cashier rang up too many marker sets.

Fortunately, we have other options available to obtain the items we need. I’ll use curbside pick up a competitor for certain items and a trip to my favorite grocery store for the rest. Much less stress and hassle – all with competitive prices.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Loving the lake view!

February 17, 2024

Sadie and I took a detour and explored the area in the picture on our way back from Cabin Fever Quilt Studio in Ellijay a couple of weeks ago. I really liked what I saw (so much so the dog and I sat through a sales presentation so I could go look at model homes). It’s located about an hour north of where we currently live. A former co-worker and a couple of quilt guild members live in this particular community. I’m definitely adding it to our short list of areas to consider for retirement! It was a nice surprise to find an area that checks so many boxes on my wish list tucked away in the northwest part of the state..

My essential Featherweight feet

February 13, 2024

Intended audience for this post: Newer Featherweight owners.

Your machine may have come with a single presser foot all the way to a blue velvet lined box full of different feet. The Featherweight Shop does a great shop of explaining each foot and its purpose. That said, you really only a need a few presser feet to handle most quilting, garment and home dec sewing projects.

These are the feet I keep with my Featherweight at all times:

  1. Original presser foot
  2. Original zipper foot
  3. Modern low shank snap-on adapter with 1/4″ foot, scant 1/4″ foot and “open toe” foot
  4. Modern walking foot made especially for the Featherweight
  5. Modern low shank FMQ foot with feed dog cover

I use my FW for piecing quilt blocks, quilting small items, mending and making home dec projects. The one separate attachment I highly recommend is a buttonholer with as many templates as you can find.

Collecting vintage feet and accessories is fun! I do have a complete set of original feet that would have come with my FW in an original Singer box that’s seen better days. It’s put away for safekeeping, along with the original foot controller and cord with the bakelite plug. I also have several other accessory feet that I’ve found while antiquing, including a Penguin foot. My collection includes a zigzag attachment with several pattern cams. It’s fun to play with, but not exactly designed to be used for precise zigzag stitching that you might need in applique. If I’m at a retreat with my FW and our project involves applique, I utilize the Lori Holt solution – hand applique or use a straight stitch. If I know in advance I’ll need a zigzag or blanket stitch for a project, I’ll bring my 3/4 size Elna STAR edition instead. It fits in the same Buc-cee’s travel bag!