Quilt Redux

[maggie~hamilton]

AMAZING is right!! Sewing machines have come a long way haven't they. I had no idea they were now (or could be) computer-interfaced.

As to the question about Stan Kann's "Sweeper Bag Suit," see photo.

 

[gansky1]

That's a very nice new quilt you have there, CRL! Flower power - I love the vintage look of the fabrics.

Fred has done some wonderful projects so far, it's going to be fun having "quilting bees" with some of those here who enjoy the art - or even want to learn. We're going to have to plan that, Fred!

Mike, what HV Embroidery model do you have? I've seen the Designer I on Craigslist and Ebay going for a decent price but this is a whole new realm and I don't know much about the offerings from the manufacturers. I have a Bernina 1060s, the older style Bernina that I love dearly. Your Kirby logo is just stunning!

My mother made me a quilt for birthday/x-mas, etc. but it needs to be bound and finished so I'll post pics in a couple of weeks when I bring it home - it's beautiful!

 

[ironrite]

Bigger Kirby

Here's a close up of the Kirby logo. It would look great on black fabric.

Greg, I have a #1+, the + is for the embroidery feature. A #1 is sewing only, no embroidery. I think my machine is from around 1997 and this is what Viking patterned the Designer 1 from. You may be able to find these from around $500-$1200 as they're starting to get a bit on the collectable side. A new Babylock Elure will run around the $1200.00 area, plus software and a reader/writer box.

I'm not a fan of the Viking series with the "exclusive sensor foot." There is no manual lift to the presser foot. When you hit the start button or foot control the foot lowers, senses the fabric thickness, adjusts the tension and starts to sew. It sounds good, but as you know in quilting, you have to line up just right, or your stitch line can be out of whack. I've sewn on the SE and D1, but really like the #1+ for all the features it has. I do like the sensor button hole foot. Usually buttonholes are the give away of a homemade garment. With the sensor button hole foot you set the length and do get perfect button holes every time.

My embroidery card reader is a parallel contraption. I have no clue how the computer even sees it, but it does. And with 3D organizer, I can write my designs to the card.

Again, I would be very careful buying from eBay and Craigslist. Another factor with them, is some machines have been stolen. You go to get it serviced, they look up the serial number and good bye machine!! We actually had a couple stolen where I used to work. Your best bet is a local dealer. I work P/T at a sewing/vac shop and we do get trade ins and trade up machines.

Now, hint, hint, perhaps someone can send a scan of that Airway bag and I'll give it a go in cross stitch!

 

[tolivac]

The deep red window covering in the window is very interesting.Looks pretty neat with the blue curtains!

 

[maggie~hamilton]

Deep red window covering

is actually magenta - vinyl retractible (roll-up) window shades. I got them at a hardware store here in L.A. called "Builders Discount" a few years ago. That store is now gone. I don't know if you can get this type of window shades in colors anywhere else - I have only ever seen them in white.

Initially I had gone there to look for them in dark blue - I wanted something to serve as "blackout drapes" as I often am up late at night and sleep until late morning. But when I saw them in magenta, my gay little heart heaved a big sissy sigh and I just knew I had to have them in that color!

 

[tolivac]

Pretty cool-red window roll shades-remember when they came in colors like that.I use two layers of blackout shades to block out light-and summer heat when I sleep during the day from my mid shift-HATE Venetian blinds-they clank and rattle,and collect every peice of dust around them.I have taken the blinds down and replaced them with roll shades in other homes I had been in-better for mid shift sleeping.

 

[petek]

Those newer wide slat wooden venetians or the plastic faux wood ones are pretty good. The slats slide out easily in either direction for easy cleaning which was always the crappy part about the old style venetions and especially those mini-blinds.