The Sewing Mom

I stopped in at the Viking Sewing Gallery the other day. I had sort of been avoiding the store because I just knew that if I saw the latest addition to its sewing/embroidery machine line up that I would be wanting one. The new Designer Diamond was introduced only a few short weeks ago and I have to say, it’s the biggest, non-professional machine I’ve seen.

For anyone that is interested in embroidery on pillows, bedding, or large items, this is definitely the machine for you. It accommodates the largest embroidery hoop out there. It truly is an amazing machine. But, for the selling price of over $8,000, it won’t be on my wish list. I found it to be too large, a bit overwhelming. I do use my machine to embroider, but I don’t find a need for anything as big as the Designer Diamond.

Instead, I will continue to pine for the Designer SE. These two machines have almost identical features, remember, the SE came out not too long before the Diamond. Yes, there are differences, but for me, the SE would be all I would ever need. I am looking into used machines, but I don’t know if anything will happen anytime soon. People are trading in their SE’s to get the new Diamond and I will keep my eye out on what is out there. I have owned my Platinum for almost 2 years now, so the trade in value isn’t too high. I might do better to sell it on my own, but that can also be a hassle. First, I’m going to get it in for a good cleaning and then I will think about it.

Tags: embroidery machine, husqvarna viking, sewing machine, Viking

I don’t think anyone would have to think to hard to imagine what my dream job would be! I decided to record my dream on video though and submit it in a contest at futureresume.com. If selected, I could win a day doing my dream job (which I sort of do anyway), a subscription to “future resume”, transportation to my job (I wonder where I might go?) and, my favorite, a $1,000 stipend. That money would certainly allow me to do something positive toward reaching my goal with sewing.

So, take a look and then let me know what’s your dream job?

Tags: dream job, futureresume.com, sewing

I went into my sewing room this morning for the first time in several weeks.  For 2 of those weeks, I was away from home and this past week, I’ve been attempting to get caught up on other household chores before going back to my sewing.

I need to organize my projects in an orderly fashion.  I think I will put them in order of which ones I want to work on first.

I’ve decided that I have one tote bag project to create and then I think I may step back from the bag sewing for a little while.  I have several other projects that I’m itching to work on.  One of those is my block of the month quilt.  I have completed 1 block of the 6 I currently have and am almost done with the second.  I have 2 more blocks to pick up at the quilt store, so I believe that gives me 6 that I need to do and then I will be caught up.

While I was on vacation I purchased the fabric and pattern to make a wall hanging.  It is quilted and has applique, but I think it’s a project I can do.  My aunt and mom helped me choose all of the fabrics at a quilt shop in Bull’s Gap, Tennessee.  We had fun doing that together!

I also have a Christmas quilt that involves machine embroidery.  That will be the first time I’ve ever done a project like that and I’m looking forward to it.  The quilt is a snowy white and the embroidery is all done in red.  I can’t wait to get started!

I have a couple of other small quilt project waiting as well.  Boy, for a non-quilter, I have an awful lot of quilt projects lined up waiting to be done!

What are you working on?

Tags: block of the month, fabric, machine embroidery, quilting, sewing

I am very excited, I stopped in at the Viking Sewing center today and found out that they’re having a great class coming up in August.  They have a guest instructor coming (I can’t recall her name) and it’s a full day class.  I signed up!

For $40 I get a full day of sewing, all supplies included.  I also get to use one of the stores high end embroidery machines to make my project.  Lunch is also included.  The project will be to create a small lap quilt that includes machine embroidery and the binding.  I’m really looking forward to it.

I’m a beginning quilter, so this class will be fun for me.  I just hope I can keep up!

Tags: machine embroidery, quilting, sewing

I have designed a small name badge for each of us to wear at our booth next week.  I created the design on my embroidery software and have transferred it to my sewing machine.  It really should be a very simple thing to create.

Instead, I spent 4 hours fighting with my embroidery/sewing machine.  The machine would tell me what size hoop to use, I would place that hoop on the machine and would tell me I was wrong.  I battled with it until I couldn’t take it anymore.

I am concerned that perhaps the embroidery arm of my machine has somehow gotten out of whack.  There is a sensor inside that tells it which hoop is attached and I’m not sure it’s reading it correctly.  This could be a costly repair.  I think I will be taking the entire machine to the store and ask them to look at it.

I really need my machine this week, so if it needs to be sent off for repair,  it will have to wait.  I can still sew on it, I just can’t embroider.

Tags: embroidery, embroidery machine, sewing

Well, I wish I could say that I did this work today, but as I said in my previous post, I wasn’t that productive today. These are bags I actually complete a couple of weeks ago. This is my favorite bag pattern to make and I tend to make them in between my larger projects. These three are made from very summery fabrics and all are great little totes, about 10 inches tall and 8 inches wide.

Tags: fabric purse, fabric tote, purse, sewing

I had so much fun making this bag. I wasn’t really sure about it when I first saw the fabric, but once I got it cut out and was putting it together, it seemed like it was meant to be. This bag is approximately 10″ h x 8″ w with a 40″ over the shoulder strap. The front has a zipper and the back is a pocket. This is a great travel bag for keeping your small items and identification for quick access. It’s also handy for carrying ipods, gameboys, cd players, etc.

This bag is $15 + shipping.

Tags: fabric, sewing, western

Okay, it only took me two weeks, but I’ve completed this project and I have to say, I’m very happy with it. The only reason it took me so long was that I kept procrastinating when it came to the quilting part of it. You see, I’m a sewer, but I’m not a fan of quilting, at least not when I’m the one that has to do it. I love quilts, and my mom is an expert quilter.  I’m just not comfortable with. And, because I expect all of my bags to end up perfectly, quilting can be frustrating for me. I just haven’t done enough of it to be good at it.

However, in the end, and with a lot of moral support from my mom, the quilting came out just fine. I love this bag!

This is a “medium” sized tote, approximately 8″x10″x13″. The entire bag is made from 100% quilters cotton, except for the backing of the main tote fabric which is a muslin. The muslin was only used as a quilt backing and is not visible in the bag as it is covered by the interior lining. This bag is padded with an all natural cotton batting. The larger pockets are supported with a fusible interfacing, as are the straps.

This bag is so nice and roomy inside. Besides the two exterior pockets, it also has 4 interior pockets. It is deep and wide and will carry many, many things. It’s even large enough for a laptop. I’ve added a magnetic snap closure to the top for security.

Due to the amount of fabric (almost 4 yards) and the time involved (even ignoring my procrastination), I will have to charge $48 for this beautiful tote bag.

Tags: cotton, fabric tote, quilting, sewing, tote bag

One of two purses I finished recently. It is 9″h x 12″w with one exterior pocket and 2 interior pockets. It has a metal tubular closure mechanism that pulls open and then “snaps” closed when you apply pressure. It is fully lined and the handles are reinforced for comfort and security. This bag sells for $40.

Tags: fabric purse, purse, sewing

I have been attempting to push myself to tackle this project for almost a week. I continue to find reasons and excuses as to why I don’t have time to do it, but I really need to get it done. You see, my current project is a tote bag. Now, I love to sew, I love to create and I love seeing and sharing the finished product. So, what’s my problem? Well, this particular tote is wanting to be quilted. I am not a quilter. I don’t enjoy quilting, probably because I’m not so good at it. Therein lies the problem.

You see, I’m a perfectionist when it comes to the projects I sew. I try very hard to do things right the first time around, but I certainly and not afraid to rip out a seam if I don’t like the way it turned out (probably why I own 3 different seam rippers). My machine, although it is quite capable of quilting, doesn’t seem to cooperate very well when sewing through thick layers that include batting. I’ve attempted several different machine adjustments and have yet to get it right.

I’ve spent the last few days reading through various sewing manuals that came with my machine, trying to figure out the best settings for this particular project. I’ve attached the machines “walking” foot and now have to figure out how the heck I attach the guide. The guide allows me to not have to mark the fabric with all of those quilting lines. If I can get the gide attached, I only have to mark the first line and then the guide helps me with all of the rest.

So, my tackle for today is to stop making excuses. Stop being afraid of the task at hand. Get in there and Just Do It!

Tags: machine quilting, tackle it Tuesday, walking foot