Archive for April, 2008

Brainstorm

Apr 27

Posted by lastpiner in Quilting, General, Quilts & Patterns | No Comments

Brainstorm 1998

Pattern: from either Quiltmaker or Quilters Newsletter Magazines. QNM recently featured the pattern in
March 2008 issue.
English paper piece, hand stitched, hand appliqued. Hand quilted

I got 3 of the whirly thingies put together, and then realized the legs were too long. Back to the computer for resizing and reprinting the paper pieces. I soon was BORED with the whole thing and put aside the finished units. Looking through a fabric catalog I saw the background fabric and the boring bits had a home. The central mass is quilted in a spiral. There are lightening bolts quilted with a flat metalic thread, further embellished with beads.

P.S. It looks much nicer on the kitchen wall now that the awful wall paper is gone. A less than lovely project than was excepted, for it seems the wall board had never been primed. There is now a terra cotta, slightly rough textured paint on the walls.

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Tags: Pattern Reference, Quilt Pattern, Quilting How To

Quilting Machines

Apr 27

Posted by lastpiner in Quilt/Sewing Machines, Quilting, General | 2 Comments

Is there a right machine out there?

I have spent some time roaming the internet and have found out one thing. There are the old tried and true quilting machine names, and then there are even more new names do to our growing world economy. I have included some of the better rated quilting machines, depending on who you look at. As i have said there are literally hundreds out there some i will continue to see what i can find out, and will continue to try an give you some informed information, with my slant of course!

Janome 405 Sewing & Quilting Machine
The Janome 405 easy-to-operate heavy-duty sewing machine has 5 of the most popular utility stitches and a 4-step buttonhole, giving you Janome quality sewing at a great price Price range $150

Brother XL3500 sewing and quilting machine
The 72-stitch-function XL-3500 sewing machine features an easy automatic 4-step buttonholer with stitch balance control for perfectly uniform buttonholes every time. It also has conveniences such as an automatic needle threader and automatic bobbin winding system. Lightweight with a built-in handle for portability, the XL3500 is a truly versatile machine that will be… More enjoyed by both the sewing and quilting enthusiast. Price range $200

Brother ES2000 Computerized Sewing Machine
The ES2000 computerized sewing machine includes 77 stitch functions, one-step bobbin replacement with quick set drop-in bobbin, automatic needle threading and a built-in thread cutter. A LED display with computerized stitch selection will make creating delicate family treasures a breeze using the built-in heirloom stitches. This unit also features variable needle positions, electronic foot control and drop feed for free motion quilting. Price Range: $50

Singer 7442 Mechanical Sewing Machine
The SINGER® 7442 is a fully electronic sewing machine. It has a full range of utility, decorative, quilting, heirloom, and stretch stitches. Each stitch is electronically formed and optimally set, which means every stitch is sewn with exact precision. The SINGER® 7442 threads quickly and easily with its 6-Second Threading System. And with Pushbutton Stitch Selection, even selecting a stitch is a snap. Price Range: $149 – $200

Juki TL-98QE Mechanical Sewing Machine
Juki TL-98QE’s 1-needle Lockstitch Machine is great for Quilting and Home Decor. A powerful machine with 1500 Stitches Per Minute! The arm & bed of the TL-98QE is constructed of aluminum die-casting. Body lowers vibration while sewing and ensures high quality stitching. This portable, is lightweight and easy to transport. Includes: a 1/4 quilting foot for free motion quilting & free-hand embroidery. Price Range: $700

Gammill 24″ x 10″ Longarm Quilter
24″ machine, variable speed control, regular size bobbins, 12′ table, laser, and accessories. Price: $9400

Husqvarna Quilt Designer II
Quilt Designer II features the exclusive patented Sensor System that gives you unique qualities to make your sewing easier. Included with your
machine, are four Stitch d-Cards with a total of 92 attractive stitches plus an alphabet. These cards are made with the latest technology and
offer one-touch stitch selection on the large touch screen. You can also purchase more Stitch d-Cards as needed. Price range $1100-$2300

Bernina Activa 220
Computerized sewing machine.
In reviews, experts prefer electronic machines to mechanical sewing machines; changing stitches or adjusting stitch length and width involves pressing a button rather than turning a less-precise knob or lever. Reviews of the Activa reinforce Bernina’s reputation for producing quality Swiss-made machines that produce consistent stitches and are easy to use. The Bernina Activa has an electronic display that shows settings. Included in the machine’s memory is an automatic buttonhole setting and an embroidery alphabet for adding monograms. More expensive machines in the Activa line add more stitches, more embroidery patterns and more memory for custom settings. Price range $680

Pfaff Performance 2056
Quilting sewing machine.
In reviews, Pfaff sewing machines are popular among quilters for their built-in walking foot (Pfaff calls this feature IDT), which feeds layers of fabric evenly through the machine. A color touchscreen makes it easy to change and adjust stitches. The Pfaff sewing machine has 207 computerized stitches and four different alphabets for monograms. It also has adjustable foot pressure, another good feature for quilters or others who work with different types of thicknesses of fabric. Price range $2000

So if your the beginner or the pro shop and compare carefully. There is the right machine, new or used, out there for you! Come back again so that I can help you find the right deal.

This was one of this very first pattern designs submitted by E. Howe for a sewing machine.

Brother 1034D 3/4 Lay-In Thread Serger Click to see more about these machines

AllBrands.com Sewing Machines

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Tags: quitling machines

Amarissa’s Quilt

Apr 26

Posted by lastpiner in Quilting, General, Quilts & Patterns | 1 Comment

Amarissa’s Quilt 1999

Bed Quilt

Pattern: My own layout of patterns from:
Center panel, left top and bottom panels from the book Once Upon
A Quilt by Bonnie Kaster and Virginia Athey. Right top and bottom and side panels from Dragons Wall Hanging copyright 1997 Debra Konchinsky.
Hand appliqued, machine pieced, hand quilted.

The dragon patterns came with directions for 3-D wings, so a few have them. The knight in the center panel is a she with a long ponytail. I used semi-sheer ribbon for the dragon’s flames. Much easier than appliquing tiny pieces. I also made one of the wizards female.

quilt1-pattern-amarissa’s quilt.jpg

Quilting Fabric at Joann.com

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Tags: Pattern Reference, Quilt Pattern, Quilting How To

Quilting Machines the right one

Apr 19

Posted by lastpiner in Quilt/Sewing Machines, Quilting the Process, Quilting, General | 1 Comment

Buying a new Quilt/Sewing Machine? Questions to ask yourself -before shopping!

1. Where will I put it?? A permanent place? If you have a corner to be able to set up in and leave it, that’s the best choice. That way when ever the mood strikes you you can just sit down and work. Not only do you need a good work spot but storage for the no-yet-complete, or the “stash” which will grow with time. A desk or table in the guest bedroom, or den? A corner of the kitchen table, (that’s where ours is)? How good will the light be to work, do I need extra lighting? You need to find an area that will be big enough to work on your quilt without a whole lot of extra arranging to be able to get strated.
2. What kind of quilting/sewing do I do now?? Quilting tops-Cloths-light weight fabric-heavy or multi-layered? Do I need any special extra’s on the machine to do what I want to with my projects. Talk to a dealer, do online research, try and get some “test drives”.
3. What kind of quilting/sewing do I want to try??A basic straight stitch with reverse and zigzag. That will allow home decorating , clothing, quilt piecing, and paper piece quilt crafting. Built in decorative stitches and or embroidery modules for machine quilting cost more, and will you use them?
4. How computerized a machine do I need?? Remember the more complicated the machine the more it costs and the more expensive it is to have repaired! What kind of a relationship do you have with your computer/printer for pattern printing. My wife and our printer barely speak, although that is improving. Can you get access to a long arm to do that, every once in while project, instead of a big investment in something you don’t really need?
5. What accessories are included or available for purchase if needed??Free motion feet, 1/4″ feet, stitch regulators, etc.
6. Long arm machine??Where will you set it up and how much use will it get there? Is it worth the big investment? How about renting time until your sure you really need one.
7. How much can I afford?? Brainstorm, think of any more questions? Answer all of the questions truthfully then go an buy your machine, not someone else’s idea of your machine. Look at reconditioned machines there much less in cost and work just fine. Go to several dealers, look around on line, visit some online forums. Remember also that some sewers have more than one machine!