Well, That's More Like It!...

Feeling Better, Thanks!

The first thing I did yesterday morning was call my machine tech and ask if he had any insight into why my Jane might be giving me grief (without having to drive an hour away for him to look at her). After running through a short list - and me offering to text a few photos of the offending section of her undercarriage - he asked me if I had more than one bobbin for this machine. When I told him I did, he suggested I rethread the machine, insert a different bobbin, and see if that took care of the issue.

Guess what? It did! I admit, it never occurred to me that the bobbin might be the issue. With that being said, we were back off to the races. All the Nocturnes were finished by mid-afternoon. I spent the rest of the day cleaning up the studio and working on my list (which I admit has been shortened).

I'm so glad I had Kenny to help out in the meantime. It's amazing how a person can get so used to small amenities...like a knee lift and "reverse" bar on a machine. I kept trying to lift Kenny's presser foot with a non-existent knee lift. I giggled every time. Even so, if it weren't for Kenny, I would have lost a lot of time and sewing would have come to a halt.

I'll be making Kirby Crossbody and a few Ensemble Bags today. We'll see how much I'm able to accomplish. I need to get creative, as I'm running short on a few hardware pieces I use. What next?!

I think those who've suggested I need a spa day when this is all done might be right. I can tell you I'm sleeping like a log at night. I'm out nearly as soon as my head hits the pillow. 

Sooooo, coffee first. Studio for the rest of the day. It's a good thing I have a comfy sewing chair! Photos tomorrow. Have a great day!

Ready For The Next Project...

Brynwood Needleworks - Sewing Studio

My studio has looked like it had been hit by a tornado the past few weeks. It was barely tidy enough to find what I needed. Fabric, threads and scraps were flying everywhere. Stacks of partial yardage, bolts to be cut, and strips for straps.

Over the weekend, I really needed to clean things up. I got after the project, picking up; putting away; vacuuming; and moving machines around.

I've been using Jane in a SewEzi table, which is wonderful, but it really vibrates when Jane is working at full throttle. I did a little research, and found a source to purchase the plexiglas insert, customized for Jane, to fit in my original Horn Quilter's Dream cabinet.

I placed an order on Saturday, and then moved Jane into the cabinet, waiting for it to arrive. Until it does, I've attached the portable extension table to it, so I have a larger work surface. The nice thing about my Quilter's Dream is that it has an extension leaf that lifts up on the back side to double my work area. Perfect for quilting, and projects like the recent mask making.

Unfortunately, the opening for the machine isn't large enough for Destiny, otherwise she'd be installed there rather than on the table on the wall. Maybe someday I'll purchase the updated version of the Quilter's Dream. It has an opening large enough to accommodate Destiny, and has a motorized lift which is more heavy duty than the manual one on my current cabinet.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Sewing Studio

 

The framed pieces were recently returned to me by my dad. I brought them home after seeing him on Friday. He's cleaning out some of his stuff and wanted to give things back to those who had gifted them. I'll be hanging my pieces in the farmhouse once I decide where we want them to be.

 

I have two projects hanging on the (attic) door. Parts of Wooly Critters, and the unstitched blocks that I set up for Primitive Gatherings' Twilight Garden quilt from last year. I'm determined to get back to working on them soon.

 

For now, I'm going to enjoy my tidy space. It never stays this way for long - and yes, there are things that are slated to move out and on to my shop or donation. One good thing about being told to stay home is that I can tackle tasks like this and really make some headway. Of course, if the weather is nice, I may spend some time outside, too. 

 

Tag will be back tomorrow. He's fairly jumping out of his fur to talk with you this week, but I promised I wouldn't give any hints. You'll have to hear it straight from the Corgi's mouth. I'll be back on Wednesday!

Well, That Was Fun!...

Brynwood Needleworks - My Trusty Jane

 

I hope you were on Facebook to see my live video yesterday. Although I do it in my head, I'm not going to criticize my first live video. (Aren't we always our own worst critics?) I really had a great time doing it, and was glad to hear that it helped streamline the process for other mask makers. 

The video is saved in the group files, so you can watch it anytime. If you end up making masks, or if you just want to see me and hear my voice heehee, you can go watch it any time. It was fun for Handsome, too, so we'll likely do more in the future.

I began the day with 53 masks done, and ended the day with 76 (total) done - and fifty more ready to assemble. After I did my video, I sewed up 20 more (total 23 for the day), and then did all the prep work for assembly on another 50, so all I have to do is fold and add straps. I should get those all finished today.

I'm out early today. Tag has a dental appointment, so I needed to have him to the vet by 7:45. I'll work while I wait for them to tell me I can go back to pick him up. Anesthesia is always a big deal for any pet, but remember, my boy just turned nine. Prayers and good thoughts appreciated.

I've added Katie's poster as a button on my sidebar, so I can keep a running tally of the finished masks. Coffee and more quality time with (Babylock) Jane. I'll update you about Tag in tomorrow's post. 

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Let's Not Do That Again...

Image ©Disney

 

 Some days, it just doesn't go by the book. 

My plan was to use wool batting between my quilt layers, merrily stitch out my quilt design, and have my piece ready to bind by nightfall yesterday.

Destiny hates wool (who knew?), to the extent that she blew her automatic cutter, and possibly chewed up her bobbin case. Dang! 

So, I thought I'd let Jane give it a go. Apparently, my semi-industrial machine can pitch a fit, too. She decided to just hang out in one place on my quilt and weave her own thread nest on the back of my quilt. Well, as that wasn't in my original design, I told Jane to go on break before she injured herself (or I did something I'd regret later).

I unpacked my Janome 3160 QDC ("Q", standing for QUILTING!), and she did the same darn thing! I guess they all had a plan to boycott wool batting. Word spread quickly. I was miffed, to say the least. 

 

Last night, I spent about a half hour unstitching what I had managed to accomplish before my machines decided to contract Sewing Machine Flu. Why? Because I give in. I'm switching out the wool to replace it with an organic cotton batting. We'll see if anyone will deign to produce a beautiful stitch for the front and back of my "Song of Spring" quilt today. Wouldn't that be nice?

Meet Jane...

Babylock Jane Semi-Industrial Sewing Machine

My machine family is finally complete. Destiny, Jenny, my Imagine Wave serger (yet unnamed) and Kenny have a new sister. Her name is Jane.

Babylock Jane Semi-Industrial Sewing Machine

Jane is a semi-industrial, straight stitch only machine. She's not a computerized machine, and only sews forward and back. There's a reverse button, thread cutter and stitch length button. She also has variable height settings for the feed dogs to accommodate various fabric thicknesses.

Babylock Jane Semi-Industrial Sewing Machine

You'll notice the gap between Jane and my Sew Eze table. I ordered a new plexiglass insert, customized to Jane's footprint, and I've also ordered adjustment "shims" so that I can easily switch between Jane and Jenny. (She's sitting on an empty cardboard bolt here, so I could use her right away.) They'll be here tomorrow, and then she'll be complete.

Babylock Jane Semi-Industrial Sewing Machine

 

I used Jane to make my recent backpack project, and truthfully, I couldn't have done it without her. Destiny is high powered and heavy duty, but I don't want to abuse her computer or mechanical abilities by asking her to do jobs like that. I have many other plans for her. Jane and Kenny are my heavy lifters, and Jane has a larger sewing area than Kenny, so there are definite advantages to having her in my family.

 

Another talent she has, is that she can also do quilting for me! She came with multiple presser feet, including two free motion feet. She's going to get her inaugural quilting workout later today. 

 

Now that I have the semi-industrial Jane, our family is complete. I'll be working on the optimum studio arrangement to accommodate her. I won't can't take long. I have lots to do.