First, let me remind you that the only thing we went in there to do was find red fabric to go with what I had stitched for the giveaway. (Ok, maybe not the only thing.....) While going in the Quilt store is not quite as bad as going into a Needlework shop, there are still many temptations. After all, as much as I love Blackbird Designs cross stitch you know I'm going to pick up their fabric as well. So, when I saw this you know I had to add it to the stash for future finishing. It will come in handy when I cover more boxes!Anyway.....while I am looking around at fabric, Hubby goes off into the "classroom area" of the shop. The next thing I hear is "This is so cool!". And then "Ohhhh! I really like this one too." Next thing I know he's at my side dragging me into the other room and showing me all these quilts and the next thing that popped out of his mouth was "Why don't you learn how to quilt?"
OMG!!! ARE YOU SERIOUS????
Oh yes, he was dead serious. I don't think he realizes that he has now opened Pandora's Box! He thinks the stitching bug is bad? Wait until there are bolts of fabric spread about the house with ort jars full of fabric scraps instead of thread clippings! What's worse, I don't think that he realized that I really, really, really do want to learn how to quilt!
Then I saw this prepackaged quilt........ It is full of beautiful Moda/Blackbird Designs fabric. (Did you notice the pattern? I already had some of this fabric in my hand to put in my stash for finishing!) After talking it over with Hubby I decided that I was going to buy it (it came with the pattern) and I was going to put it away until I got a sewing machine (and learned how to use it, of course). I told him that a sewing machine would be the perfect birthday gift.....he could even talk to his mom and my mom and they could all go in on a really good machine! Crazily enough, he thought it was a good idea! I just don't know how to react. I think someone stole my husband and replaced him with a cross stitch loving quilter!
So, anyone have any good recommendations for a good beginner to intermediate sewing machine??????
10 comments:
oh youv'e caught the fever too!!!
I walk through 2 quilt shops every 1-2 weeks and drool over the fabric and watch the ladies make quilts and always wished I could do it. I bought a new machine last year, not really a good quilting machine, actually from Walmart....but I'm like you, I have the area downstairs and a big table I bought at an auction for little of nothing and it's a great old, old foldup oak table enough for 6 chairs if you sat around it.
Then, last month I did as you and braved myself to buy a kit, a jellyroll and a pattern to make a Dutch quilt.
I've still got to clear my table off downstairs and try it. It makes me nervous!
I wish I had spent the extra money for a better sewing machine.
But, someone told me that its the footer on the machine that you can change to accomadate many layers of fabrics, so I might dabble with it a bit.
Jennifer
Every time I am in JoAnn's, I see the display of wall quilt packs that you can learn to quilt with. I want to get one, but I tell myself no, because I don't have the room (I live with my father in a single-wide, 1970's or earlier model mobile home).
I do have a sewing machine, specifically for use in finishing (mainly pillows). It is a Brother, model LX-3125 that I picked up at Wal-Mart. It came with a DVD; that's the main thing that sold me on it. Plus it was rather inexpensive. It runs really nice and is relatively quiet.
How cool - a new hobby. You're doomed now! There is just something so wonderful about walking into a quilt store and seeing all that wonderful fabric goodness spread out in front of you. Moda fabrics will get you every time. I think that you made a wise move in buying that kit. It saves you the time involved in finding the separate fabrics and Moda fabrics are wonderful. I'm so excited for you - I hope that your birthday is soon so that you can get that sewing machine and put pedal to the metal!!
He doesn't know what monster he's unleashed!! I haven't had a sewing machine in years, but I really want one again. I'm interested in the answer you get as to what is a good machine. Yay for you!
I'll ask a lady I go to church with...I just remembered that she owns the LQS. How could I forget that?! :)
Boy oh boy as he ever opened Pandora's Box! I bought a Janome Quilting sewing machine last year but how I wish I would have bought a better one. If I was buying one now I would go to the Quilting Store and ask them what they recommend and tell them you can't use a sewing machine and see if they will teach you as well.
I love the quilt you chose to do by the way. The colors are just gorgeous.
Patti xxx
he really has opened Pandora's Box! I have a sewing machine, but it is a very old one and very basic which is good for me since i am just learning how to sew. :) Quilting is down the road a bit. :)
Jennifer,
Wow - love the fabrics and quilting is soon becoming my second favorite. Besides touching and seeing in my LNS, bolts of fabric all lined up and in order and then feeling them is the best! Good luck on getting a machine. I use the Singer my mom bought me back 20 some years...it's okay, but I know there's some other great machines out there as a lot of my friend's quilt! Good luck!
Okay, I talked with the lady at church that owns the quilt shop, and she said her favorite machines are Berninas. She said to buy the best one you can afford with the most stitches. She said the most important thing is to ask about the ease of getting repairs in your area because you could get a fantastic machine, but if it's not servicable than it's really not a good deal. Her other piece of advice was to ask your quilt shop about their guild newsletter for sale section. She said experienced quilters are always trading up their machines, and so some fabulous machines are always for sale at great prices.
I hope this helps you some!
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Happy belated annivarsary :)
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