Tools

Serger Quilt

June 29, 2016 by Angie 2 Comments

Last week I purchased a Juki Serger MO 654DE and I decided to make a Serger Quilt the minute it arrived. (Yes, I wanted the Bernina serger but I needed to make sure it was a machine that I would use.)

Here’s the story ….

I made this Serger Quilt by watching about ten different videos….. none of the instructions were helpful in all areas of the quilt so I had to search. By the end of the quilt …. I had made so many changes it’s safe to say it’s my doing (does that make sense?).

I used my Juki Serger and a Walking Foot with my Bernina. You can make this quilt without a Serger but you must have a Walking Foot because the layers are thick!

I cut two strips each of five designs that measure 6 (or 6-1/2) x WOF (WOF is width of fabric). Then I cut 8 strips of White Fabric by the same measurements.

I serged the strips together with the batting and the back fabric … stitched in the ditch … and then I stitch to the left and the right of seam. Just typing all that sounds so confusing … which is why I will film a video! For my benefit and yours 🙂

This was my first very attempt at binding and now I know why I pay my long arm quilter to do it for me!! I am determined to master it~

Now for some honestly … I need to go to cutting fabric school! I don’t like cutting strips of fabric that exceed my cutting mat because I never cut straight. So …. I have an idea on how to change this quilt …. by using smaller pieces of fabric. I will play with that on vacation!!

This quilt measures 36 x 51 and it’s the perfect size for a child!

Gotta run … we leave for vacation in a few days and I have a million things to do!!

p.s. I re-read my post … I think I’m a little scattered today 🙂

Another Sewing Machine

June 27, 2016 by Angie 4 Comments

Yesterday I shared a Sewing Machine perfect for a beginner and today I’m going to share another option.

The Juki TL-2010Q 1-Needle Portable Sewing Machine

If you’re looking for a fast machine that is very sturdy …. look no further. It sews very straight with very little effort.

But …this is the one machine that I have difficulty threading. I’m not sure why but I have to watch a video every time. Maybe because it’s very different from the Bernina sewing machines or there’s very few videos on You Tube showing you how to actually use the machine. I like how it sews and I love how fast it goes …but because I struggle with the threading and the tension … I don’t use it very often.

That is the one thing about Bernina … there are a ton of videos on You Tube! My favorite channel is Heirloom Creations … those videos will help you decide which machine you must have (there’s 34 videos for my 350 SE sewing machine).

See ya!

Sewing Machine For Beginners

June 26, 2016 by Angie 4 Comments

Today I’m going to talk about sewing machines ….

Everyone has their favorites … just like cameras …. you’re either a Nikon fan or a Canon fan …. or somewhere in the middle.

The same can be said for sewing machines!

Personally my most FAVORITE sewing machine will be my BERNINA 350 SE!

I have the Tula Pink version … I’d love the have the Best Friend version below (the Special Edition machines change designs every so often).

But … I realize they are not in the budget for a person brand new to sewing.

So, earlier this year I bought a Brother machine so that I could test it out and give it my seal of approval.

If you are brand new to sewing …. I recommend the

Brother Project Runway PC420PRW 294-Stitch Professional Grade Computerized Sewing Machine

I have taken it back and forth to the lake house to make sure it travels well and it does. It also has all my favorite features, knee lift, self threader and a thread cutter.

With all that being said …. if you get hooked on sewing like I have …. stop by your local Bernina Store and test out of one of their machines …. (the difference has to be seen in person).

See ya later~