Haven’t opened it yet.
Got to go do that.
BBL, to tell you all about it. 😀
Tag Archives: sewing machine
5 Years And Hardly Know You
For the last few days I have been reading my Janome 10001 Memory Craft sewing machine manual and watching the video that came with it. I know I watched the video 5 years ago but some of the bells and whistles are just becoming clearer and making sense now.
First off, I have been saying Janome all wrong. I had been pronouncing it Ja (like you would start off saying jug), NO, Me. That is not how they say it at all. In the video it sounds like they are saying Ja (like jaw) No May.
The reason I dusted off the manual was because I wanted to know more about the twin needle function. How to thread, what to use it for. Also I wanted to know how to download embroidery patterns.
Along the way, I found out I could blanket stitch applique pieces. Even found out I could lock stitch the last stitches when I come to the end. I had been backstitching and sometimes making a bunched up mess. I spent quite a bit of time experimenting with my embroidery screen prompts. My machine can do WAY MORE than I thought.
If you are like me, reading a manual to ANYTHING is right up there with scheduling a root canal. I Hate It!! But usually after finally taking the time, it ends up being so worth it. Time well spent. Hopefully I will be showing you some of my newly learned knowledge soon.
And time to dust these off too. I bought all of this embroidery stuff when I bought my sewing machine. I made a couple of practice pieces and used the Sulky spray adhesive. The rest… just collecting dust… somewhere. Got to go find them.
How about you? What did you “wing” and not bother reading the manual? Did you ever go back to read it?
Yay!! My Sewing Machine Is Back
That was fast!! The repairman only had my sewing machine three and 1/2 days. (It sat 3 days while he was off on Holiday!!)
I am happy and sad. 🙂 Happy to have it back. 😦 Sad. The stippling is STILL off. Maybe I am sewing too fast. I am going to adjust the tension, try again. And if I am not happy, back it goes.
I have to say… IT DID GOOD!! It sewed all the blocks together, the sashing and borders. My original plan was, if I had to quilt it on Itty Bitty, to sew straight lines down the center and on the sides. Just to connect the layers.
As you can see, I was conflicted. On the design layout. From the beginning. And right up to the final two days. The block with the “arrows” kind of threw me. Without them, I would have finished sooner. I couldn’t decide where to place them.
I wanted a matching set of blocks. The same colors for the two. Throughout. So I ended up with this design.
I like it. Hubby loves it. It measures 40″ by 40″. Perfect laptop quilt. And I am thinking it would make a nice table topper too. The back is black polka dot. You can see it in this photo.
Wish I could take better photos. Maybe I will take it outside and photograph it on the grass. It needs outside light.
Now… back to sewing. Need to catch up on some quilting. Finish the stuff I made on Itty Bitty. BTW, I left it connected. It helped me out in a pinch. So its reward will be staying on the table a while longer. 😀
Instructions for the blocks can be found here.
I Figured It Out!! I Figured It Out!!
YAY!!
I am sewing!!
Up until yesterday, I had only used my little sewing machine for bobbin winding.
So, had to find the manual and read it to figure out how to thread it. And how to sew on it.
Here’s the good and the bad.
The Good.
- It can sew straight lines.
- It can sew zig zag lines.
- It has adjustable tension.
- It has adjustable stitch lengths.
- It can wind a bobbin.
- The foot can be raised higher than I originally thought. Yippee!!
And now The Bad.
- No light. 😦
- One speed. Slow.
- Foot petal is used as the On and Off Switch. LOL!!
- To remove the item being sewn, you have to turn the side wheel several times to advance the thread out. You can’t just pull on the thread.
- The needle goes up and down the entire time the bobbin is winding. LOL!!
- It is LOUD!! OMG!! I am sure with the windows open, the neighbors can hear it.
BUT… it sews. And the stitches look pretty darn good too.
In fact, look at what I worked on late last night (after reading the manual). A table runner and pillow. The squares were already cut. Months ago. It was easy to get started. I was so in need of stitching up something!!
You know the saying… you get what you pay for. Well, for 50 bucks, I got a 5 lb, 10 1/2″ by 9″ sewing machine.
It does what it is supposed to do. Sew fabric pieces together. Can’t expect it to do more than I paid for, right? 😀
More IDEA Sandwiches
Only been one day and I am going through no-sewing withdrawal already……
I hated to part with it, but I took my sewing machine in for repairs yesterday. The repairman was off so I couldn’t ask him any questions. But the Sales Associate seemed knowledgeable about my machine, Janome Memory Craft 10001, though it is no longer on the sales floor. It is not that old. I have had mine for about 5 years. I guess it is now considered Grandfathered. An antique. Anyhoo, she quoted 10 working days and $150. 😦
So… since I couldn’t sew anything, I decided I needed a bit of fabric therapy. I flipped through my quilting books looking for pretty blocks easy enough for a person with limited skills.
And I played with my fabric stash.
Made these new Idea Sandwiches.
First, let’s discuss my obsession with Polka Dots. I LOVE THEM!! I think I have them in all colors. Different size dots.
The 1st one looks great. But even better with a bit of color added.
This purple and lavender combination makes me all knee-wobbly. I just want to get the rotary cutter and start cutting!! The outside print is from The Lennette Stash. It pulls all the other prints together.
Sometimes it just takes adding newly purchased fabrics to your stash pieces. Like this combination. The center orange and purple floral is new. The others had for a while. They blend so well. It’s like I walked around in the fabric store putting them together.
I love putting playful fabrics together. To satisfy the little kid in me. Novelty fabrics. They are high up on my Like To Work With list.
This “sandwich” happened after I received this really cute guitar fabric from my friend, Nana/Betty. I had a couple ideas on what I wanted to make.
So I went through my stash and gathered up a few Fat Quarters. Then, at JoAnn’s, I saw this white background musical fabric.
And on-line, I found this really cute Kitty newspaper fabric. I knew I had to buy it. Did a bit of fussy cutting to cut out the section I wanted. A cat playing a guitar. How perfect!!
This next one… tsk, tsk, all you ladies listen up.
It is How To Keep Your Husband fabric. LOL!! Too funny. No clue where to get more. It was in the scraps I purchased from eBay a couple years ago. It is just a small piece. About 1/2 the size of a FQ. But I will add these other fabrics to it and come up with something.
This blue fabric with mustard hearts is from The Lennette Stash. Imagine my delight when I saw the exact same fabric in red at JoAnn’s. Add in the other prints and I should be able to come up with something nice.
This last one will probably be a Dresden Plate Something. They just scream “make me up in the round”, don’t they. Can’t wait to get to cutting them. I have even more purple prints that will go with these. I will use them all. The more the merrier!!
Well, that does it. My New Idea Sandwiches. The fabrics are all set. Now just need to decide on what to make. (If only I had a sewing machine.)
A Few “Ta-Dah” Moments… Class, Bunting Set, Wall Hanging
And in no particular order…..
Ta-Dah!!!
I finally hung the first quilted item I made. My Dresden Plate wall hanging. It’s been so long. You have probably forgotten. I sewed a black polka dot sleeve on the back.
My Cold Connections class yesterday was FABULOUS!! I really enjoyed the instructor. What talent!! She teaches at several places including a Community College. I learned three ways to add a rivet, one way to “staple” metal together and used a Flex Shaft power drill to punch holes in metal.
Also more sawing of metal. We worked with copper and brass. In the last few minutes of class, I quickly added extra holes.
Don’t know what I will do with these pieces. Â I will figure out something. It was all hands on. My favorite type of class. I learn better when I am actually doing the work.
I created this Pillow and Bunting Set. I had July 4th on the brain.
You see bunting flags and triangles everywhere. So I decided to make up my own version. Using fabric, clear vinyl and cut up little pieces of yarn. (A perfect way to use up all that yarn just sitting.)
I pieced together some burgundy, blue and mustard fabric to make this patchwork pillow. I quilted the front and made an envelope back.
The pillow form is recycled. I took an old toss pillow not being used, was just being stored, took it apart, used the stuffing to make a new pillow form. The fabric is the same fabric I used to line the patchwork pillow cover. I have eight more pillows I can recycle.
Here are more photos. The pillow back. The bunting backs.
😦
My sewing machine died!! It stopped on me when I was stippling my first quilt. I already had about half done. Got through another 12 inches or so and the stitches started to come apart. I did everything any sewing machine owner would do. Rethread, changed the thread, changed the bobbin, cleaned out the bobbin case, removed the bobbin holder, cleaned out under it and all around it, changed needles (several times, different color tips). I did everything I knew to do. Still acting ugly!!
So.. my Janome now sits in the front passenger seat awaiting a trip to the repair shop. The last time I took it, they had it for 3 weeks. I sure hope it isn’t that long this time. I will go through sewing withdrawal. I will have to drag out my little Sew Petite. And try to sew on it. The foot does not raise up very high, so no way to quilt anything on it. Just straight sewing. 😦
A day without crafting!! No way!!
Maybe I will make up a few jewelry pieces. I have a couple coiled wire ideas. And I need to macrame a couple of plant hangers. This downtime may be good for me. Give me a break from sewing. Get a couple of patterns done. Get some of the many things I have made listed on Etsy. Now THAT is something I could do!! Should do. Will do.
Ready For The Binding
Well, I am happy to tell you my bonding with my Walking Foot went well. I have had my Janome 10001 sewing machine for over four years but had never used that foot. Had to refer to my manual on how to attach it. Glad I looked first. I wouldn’t have thought to put that long arm thingy on top of the foot holder bar.
It works great!! Walking along. Giving me a smooth stitch. Had no problems whatsoever.
Here’s what I did in about 4 hours. Going very slowly.
First, I sewed in the ditch starting from the center circle of the Dresden blades going down each seam. All the way diagonally to the edge of the quilt top.
I thought the single diagonal line looked odd so I added a short line to cross over it. Then I decided to fancy up the black dotted fabric. I made long straight lines down the length of the border. About 1/4″ apart. I wish I could have used my 1/4″ foot but did the best I could on my own.
Now it is ready for the binding. I am going to use up some of these green strips I fussy cut from the goose panels I told you about. The ones from the 80’s.
And then, by golly, IT WILL BE DONE. I even bought some Color Catcher. Gonna wash and dry it. And hang it up in my craft room to admire. My first ever quilted wall hanging.
It measures about 22″ by 22″.
Next, I plan to tackle one of the three larger ones. Probably my 1st quilt top. If I mess it up, I won’t care as much. It already has lots of flaws. 😀
Let’s Talk Sewing Machines
I have four sewing machines. 3 Janome and one Singer. Well, actually one Janome is a felter only.
The sad part is….. I don’t use any of them. 😦
I have to make a coiled fabric item by the end of November. For our November Challenge in the Crafters’ group I belong to. Last year I made a few baskets/bowls and a couple purses. I really enjoyed it.
So, sewing machines have been on my mind.
Until recently, I had only sewn on two sewing machines. My mom’s. It was a portable Singer with a snap-on carrying case. I sewed on it constantly during my teen years. She even let me take it to college for one semester.
Then, about five years after getting married, hubby surprised me with a brand new top-of-the-line Singer. It was the Cadillac of its day.
Here it is.
Singer Touch-N-Sew. Around the 70’s. It has parts and attachments I never did learn to use. Classes were offered. None of which I bothered to attend.
Right now it is hidden away in a spare closet. Out of sight. I want to donate it to charity. Or toss it out. But every time I mention that it needs to go, that I need the space, hubby’s mood turns sour. You see, as he tells it, he worked overtime for months to buy it. Paid cash. I understand all that, I really do. But come on!! The 70’s!!
So, if you are keeping count of the machines I own, that is Sewing Machine #1.
Here’s #2.
Janome Memory Craft 10001.
I have had this one for about four years. Got it as a retirement present. To myself. It does a lot of stuff. Most of which I am clueless.
Number 3
I bought this little baby Janome at the same time as buying the 10001. Called Sew Petite. Just to have. I didn’t think I would ever use it but did. Once. When #2 needed bobbin winder repairs. It works fine. Nothing fancy. Sews straight, zig zags and winds bobbins.
Number 4
Janome Xpressions, a felting machine.
It works GREAT!! From what I saw in the store over 3 years ago. Never used it. Just took it out of the box to photograph it. I am so glad all the parts were there. A bit late to be thinking about returning it. Anyway, I have several machine felting instruction books. One day soon I am going to try it.
My desire is to be a Three Sewing Machine household.
BUT… how do I convince hubby to let go of #1?
My Sewing Machine Is Ready!!
Janome Service Repair Center just called. I can pick up my sewing machine today!! Yay!! Yippee!!
Almost 2 weeks for me to move up to #1. Will have to give it a test drive this weekend. More coiled fabric bowls acomin’ up.
Made My 1st Beaded Eyeglass Holders
Sunday, August 23
No pictures to show you BUT I have been really busy. Making stuff.
Made lots of beaded eyeglass holders. Crystals, glass beads, wood, gemstones, pearls, seed beads. Whatever was sitting not being used. They came out nice. I think. Not sure how long they should be. I watched a lady on YouTube making them. She cut the wire 36″ long. So that is what I did. I tried one on a pair of my glasses and the length was perfect. Maybe I’ll make a few shorter AND longer just to make sure I have a variety for my upcoming craft shows.
Also made more macrame jewelry. I really like working with ribbon crimps. They are so cool. Anyone know how long they have been around? I only just discovered them several months ago. I even asked for them at one of the craft places I frequent. They never heard of them. I got mine at Fire Mountain Beads on-line.
One bracelet I made with crown knots. It is REALLY cute. Think I will make more. I am experimenting with the best clasp, the best closure.
I checked on the repair status of my sewing machine on Friday. Was told I am #22 and the repairman was currently working on #16. They have had it for one week. Not happy!! I could be sewing coiled fabric baskets.
But it’s OK. I haven’t beaded anything in a long time. It felt good dragging out all the tools and supplies necessary to make jewelry. For about 5 minutes I had to think where I had put my crimps. Started to panic when I couldn’t find them and couldn’t remember where I put them. But I did find them. Right where I left them… about 8 months ago.
I’ll take pictures tomorrow to show you. It’s been a dreary, rainy kind of day in my parts. Hope you are having better weather than I am.
This Year's Dozen 