Sunday, August 12, 2018

More exciting news!

So much has been going on lately, I need to do a catchup post with all the news.

  • Free Motion Class

About month ago, I took a free motion class at the Quilt Barn Studio near Janesville.  It was a lot of fun and helped me gain confidence with different free motion skills.  I'm getting closer to having a nice feather shape, but I still need more practice.  (((Squint when looking at this picture-- it looks better that way!! 😋 )))


And the reason I took this class........Are you sitting down?

  • APQS Longarm Sewing Machine

My mom and I (well, mostly her) are getting a new/used APQS Millenium!!!! Woooooot!!
I felt that it was time we upgraded from our Voyager into a bigger and better machine.  Right now the machine is "at the spa" at APQS headquarters.  We are scheduled to get it at the end of August.  To say that I can't wait is an understatement!  I have a whole bunch of tops waiting to finish and it will be a perfect opportunity to learn how the new machine works.

  • Quilt Ladder
Massdrop had a drop recently for a handmade quilt ladder from Bourbon Moth.  I've been wanting a display ladder for a few years now, so I joined the drop.  It's lovely!  Made from reclaimed hemlock! For now I have it in my stairwell.  I get to see my quilts all the time and there isn't any direct sunlight to harm them.


  • Quilt Expo Exhibit

Happy mail came in early August-- my Hekla quilt was accepted into the Quilt Expo exhibit!  Hooray!  This is my third time showing there.  What an honor!



  • Missouri Star Road Show

And the last bit of exciting news to share.... I spent a Saturday in Green Bay attending the Missouri Star Quilt Company's Road Show.  It was lots of fun!


Here I am taking a selfie of with the MSQC van.


And here is Jenny Doan, signing a mini for my friend.


The talk was funny, informative and touching.  She shared how their company began and grew, why they became interested in pre-cuts and gave lots of ideas on how to use them.  Ron (Mr. Jenny Doan) was the quilt holder and he even shared 2 quilts that he has made.  I had a great time and would highly recommend attending a road show if you have the chance.

xoxo,
Kristin

Linking up with Let's Bee Social

Sunday, August 5, 2018

Exciting news! Singer Rocketeer

Somehow a sweet little sewing machine followed me home and I decided to keep it. 😎

Meet my newest baby a Singer 500a - Rocketeer!


I have wanted one of these machines for years.  They are sleek and cool and have a built in zig zag stitch (along with many other decorative stitches).  I had never seen one in person, only in photos online.  In real life, she has not disappointed!  A guild member shared the ad for a local estate sale.  The sale was huge and included incredible collections of pottery, silver, LeCreuset cookware and full house of things being sold.  I met the daughter of the machine's owner and had a lovely talk with her.  Her mother was an avid seamstress and made clothes for decades.  She had multiple machines and the daughter kept the modern ones, but was selling this one.  She was happy to hear that it was going to a 'good home' and that I was planning to use it.

After the sale, I jumped right in and started to learn how to use it.  The bobbin is drop in (sweet!  I've never had one of those!) and the threading was pretty straightforward. Right away, it stitched a beautiful straight stitch.  I was dying to try a zig zag-- not bad!  Changing cams and using the dials was easy to do.  I don't think it does a true blanket stitch, though.  (slight bummer)

The same day I bought it, was my monthly Late Night Sew Night at Blue Bar Quilts.  I brought the new machine and a bunch of flannel and batting scraps and spent the night making burp cloths.  It was fun!!



I can't wait to use this machine more, but I don't think it will become my primary.  I love my Featherweight too much to replace it completely.  💗

xoxo,
Kristin