The center of my Confetti doll quilt is now finished. Being such a fun pattern to stitch, it was hard to stop. With no repeats in fabric, you would say my quilt is charmed.
Instead of squaring up the edges with ruler and cutter, I have made up some templates. This way I will not have to cut into the diamonds and squares. Now, I have to decide if this round will be an inner border, or part of the border.
The month of January came and went and I am happy to report that it was a fabric free purchase month, but I did go a little crazy with books. I just couldn't resist Link to the 30's by Kay Connors and Karen Earlywine.
Last posting, I mentioned the three books by Kathleen Tracy and I also ordered Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts by Mary Elizabeth Kinch and Biz Storms. Plus, Quilting Line & Color, by Yoshiko Jinzenji, which is techniques and designs for abstract quilts and a book by Jean Wells, Intuitive Color & Design, about the adventures in Art Quilting. It's just like going back to school!
180 Klosjes Completed
10 made this week
It looks like I have been enjoying a little vintage charm!
The other day, I final got around to testing out my grandmother's Singer 301 and it seems to be running just fine. So, on Friday, I purchased some sewing machine oil and needles, and soon she will be ready for her first assignment. The original darning foot (for free motion) is missing, but I can easily order one and I also have my eye on a 1/4 inch foot with a quilting guide bar attached.
As for my Brother PC 3000, it has been three months and the keypad has yet to come in. What I didn't know was because the repair shop is not a Brother dealer they cannot order Brother parts, they order from a distributor which sells parts that will work in a Brother machine. I didn't like the sounds of that and told her to cancel the order.
After thinking long and hard about it I have decided not to get it repaired. I am not willing to travel as far as the nearest Brother dealer is located and the keypad and installing of it will cost almost half of what I paid for the machine. Not worth it for a machine I rarely use. If I was ever to buy a new sewing machine, I would be sure to leave all the bells and whistles at the store.
Now, I can still use the machine, but the needle is locked in the left hand position. Why one would sew with the needle to the left is beyond me, but I tested it out and am still able to attach my walking foot for quilting, but not my 1/4 inch foot, as this requires the needle to be in the center position, but I did find another foot in my bag of goodies, that works like a 1/4 inch foot, so piecing and binding is still possible. And, because the free motion foot has a wide opening, it should work with the needle in the left position.
So, all is not lost, just the parts of the machine I never really used. Sure wish I thought of this three months ago!
Until next time.....happy quilting!
Karen
With August comes summer's end, time to break from daily routine and relax. Instead of tending the garden I shall sit in the garden. Meals will be simple, straight from the vegetable patch. Long walks, afternoon naps and endless hours of reading. This summer my Reading Retreat will be devoted entirely to the quilt. I even ordered some new books, as you can never have too many!
