Clean Up!

Before I could start on the Burda, I needed to clean up after the dance dresses. Honestly, it looked like a bomb filled with sequins had exploded in my sewing studio, and in my sewing room at home. Today I spent the afternoon packing away the extra dance fabric for the next time (next time?), and once I got started, it was hard to stop.

So for readers in the Boston area, I have a couple of goodies to give away over the next few days. First up is this Consew Coverstitch/Serger:

It runs and has all the accessories except the itty bitty screwdriver for the needles. My son used that for a science project and I haven't seen it since. I think I used it four times and decided I needed an industrial. I don't need two CS machines, but I do need space. It's not a great machine, but it's worth every penny. Because it's free! Yep, free to a good home. Heck, free to a mediocre or rotten home. I just need the space. The caveat is that you have to pick it up. So if you would like it and can pick it up this week, send me an email (ann "at" gorgeousfabrics "dot" com) and it's yours.

Over the next day or so I'll put up a bunch of stash fabrics (they're fabulous, trust me) and notions, so keep an eye out.

Happy sewing!

Gone Kittens, sorry, and thanks!

Lookee What I'm Getting!

I blame Gigi for this. I have been lusting after a coverstitch machine (a real one - I have a cheap home one) for quite some time. Last week I called Reliable, my industrial sewing machine dealer, and asked Bill if they had any in. As a matter of fact, they had just finished working on a Kansai 3 needle upper/lower CS machine, and they were readying it to put on the floor. I went down and looked at it, and tomorrow I will pick it up and bring it home! Woo hoo!

Actually, since that puppy, with table and motor, is so bloody heavy, and since I had two moles removed from the back of my thigh yesterday (it sucks to have a family history of melanoma, let me tell you), I'm kind of tempted to have them deliver it. I think I'll give a call and see how much that would be.

I see a whole lotta knit sewing and binding in my future. Thanks Gigi!

Happy hemming!

Now We're Cookin' with Rocket Fuel!

I think it was Gigi who said to me, "Once you get an industrial, you will never want to go back to home sewing machines again." How true! For the past year-plus, I have been jonesing for an industrial serger. Last year I went to my dealer (Reliable Sewing in Stoughton, MA) and looked at a used Brother, but I wasn't ready to buy at that point. This week, I dragged Sewing Diva Phyllis with me to Reliable, needing to get some needles for my DDL8700. While I was there, I asked what they had for sergers. Now, I've had a Juki home serger since 1991. It's a workhorse and I just love it. It's a 4 thread model.

Bill, the chief tech there, showed me a couple of Juki MO 2516s, a 5 thread model. One was new, and one was used and refurbished. I tried the used one. Can I tell you? Wow! This puppy is FAST! And it sews a beautiful seam. I think I surprised Phyllis (I know I surprised myself) when after testing it, I decided to take it. Woo hoo! I brought it home yesterday. It's sitting in the foyer area of the "Great Room". DH is getting a little worried now that I'm putting machines downstairs.

But boy, can this puppy run. I don't have the spec sheet in front of me, but it goes in excess of 5000 stitches per minute. So remember how I said I could, with my industrial straight stitch, make wadders in 1/3 the time? Now it's more like one fifth! It also dims all the lights in the house when I turn it on. I think DH is a little scared of it. That's alright. He has his power saw downstairs (which also dims the lights). So, what to make? What to make? And how many big honkin' cones of thread in each color should I keep on hand? Oh boy, this is going to be fun!

Happy sewing, I know I am!

Anticipation... is Making Me Wait...

I have been fighting with my sewing mojo lately. It's there. It wants to come out and play, but I have been incredibly busy between work, kids' spring activities and life in general. But watch this space tomorrow. I got a great new toy that will definitely take its place in the sewing gearheads' hall of fame. And thank you Gigi and Phyllis for the inspiration and encouragement!

Happy sewing!

Just 'Cuz

Nope, I didn't get hate mail from some harridan, or even fan mail from some flounder. I just got caffeinated and ruminatin'.

Keep an eye out over the next couple of days. By the end of this week, I'll have something fun for show & tell!

Happy sewing!

I'll Tell Ya What I Want, What I Really Really Want..

Photo: Allbrands.com

I lust for an industrial serger. I have a Juki home serger that I really love, but boy, do I want one of these babies! My local industrial machine dealer has a couple of Brother 4 threads for $1200 used.

Must pay off car, must pay off car, must pay off car!
Break's over, back upstairs to work on my muslin.

Happy sewing!