Tag: Quilting

Which sewing machine to take to my upcoming retreat?

April 28, 2024

This is my current dilemma. I’m flying, so I’m limited to machines that will fit in my Travelpro underseat rolling tote. Here are my options:
1) Singer Featherweight
2) Elna STAR (similar to Janome Jem 720)

Option 1: The quilt shop organizing the retreat sells and services Featherweights. I will be in good hands should anything go wrong with my machine during the retreat. I’ve also been wanting to switch out the tension assembly for one with a numbered tension dial. They could take care of that for me and giver the machine a once-over at the same time. Sewing space is limited (4′ wide), so having the built-in wider bed means I won’t have to carry a separate acrylic extension table.

Opton 2: This is my usual machine for sew-ins, classes and retreats, especially when I need more than a straight-stitch capability. It travels well and does exactly what I need it to do. The only drawback is that full throttle is a mere 650 spm. It’s fine for applique and most piecing. For long strips when you want to sew fast, it’s akin to driving a moped instead of a motorcycle. I’ll also have bring the small acrylic extension table.

I checked with the retreat organizer. The staff are bringing their personal FWs to the retreat. No retreat projects require any zigzag stitch capability. I’m taking a FQS Layer Cake Shake kit made from leftover 10″ Christmas squares and the 2024 Middle Georgia Shop Hop blocks + the FPP center block to work on at the retreat. No zigzag stitches required. I’ll be perfectly fine with my Featherweight!

How did I learn so much about sewing machines?

April 20, 2024

Answer: Natural curiosity and necessity.

When I ran the Stitching Stallions maker club at my former elementary school, I had an eclectic collection of mechanical and electronic sewing machines for the kids to use. Some came from the district’s own warehouse surplus, others were purchased with grant funds, some were donated and a couple were purchased by me. There was no money for sewing supplies, let alone annual service for the 5-8 machines we used. I had to learn how to troubleshoot, maintain and repair our machines. I did routine maintenance on 1-2 machines every week and a more in depth service during the summer. I learned how to replace spool pin holders, exterior thread cutters and needle threaders. I learned how to make bobbin winder adjustments. I learned how to remove covers to undo tangled threads, broken needles and big wads of fluff that managed to collect in the machines. Believe me, if there is a way to mess up a machine, a kid will find it!

Today was our first Sewing Machine Maintenance class at the Southeastern Quilt & Textile Museum taught by yours truly. In class, we had an Elna SU from the late 60’s, a Pfaff 1013 originally purchased in West Germany in the mid-80’s, a Singer 9960, a Viking Opal 670 and a Singer Merritt 4530. Can you believe no machine used the same bobbin? Students left with clean machines and a lot of smiles.

Feedback was positive and I was encouraged to offer this class again – which I think the museum director plans to do in the fall. Others asked for Featherweight specific classes so they can learn to use and care for their machines. Look for those to come in July and August. My local FW club is looking for someone to lead them in a machine spa day for their Featherweights. After today’s successful class, I think I’m going to put my big girl panties on and offer up my services to lead that class, too! I certainly know a lot more about FW than I do each of the machines we worked on today.

I definitely stepped outside my comfort zone and the sense of accomplishment I felt after the class concluded is something I’ll never forget.

A fun quilt pattern to make with your ‘tween or suitable for a quick charity quilt

April 20, 2024

Take a look at the Layer Cake Shake, a free quilt pattern offered by Fat Quarter Shop.
The FQS video tutorial for this pattern may be found here.

Why I like it:
1) Great way to use up leftover layer cake (10″) squares
2) Simple piecing with fewer match points
3) At 56-1/2″ square, it makes a perfect size quilt for a ‘tween

This variation of the Friendship Star block lends itself to all sorts of creative interpretation. Be as scrappy or as matchy-matchy as your heart desires. If you need to make it a little longer, consider adding a row of 8-1/2″ Friendship Star blocks or colored strips across the top and bottom of the quilt before adding the borders.

Hint: The quilt center consists of 4 large blocks. Before sewing all the rows into the four 9 patch blocks, lay them out first and decide which block is 1, 2, 3 and 4. Seams on blocks 1 & 4 will be pressed alike and seams on blocks 2 & 3 will be pressed alike. This makes a difference when you sew the blocks together.

This quilt is also very easy to work on in chunks. When I was still working full-time, this was the exact type of project that kept me sane. By working on it for an hour or so each night, I would have a completed top by the following weekend.

And more more advantage to this pattern – it’s a good size to practice my FMQ skills. Can’t wait to see how my free motion quilting plan for this quilt turns out!