Panel Quilting

 I love it when a concept in my head actually turns out better than expected and there are days when this seems to be the exception rather than the rule. I have been browsing around to find ideas for how to include a large panel in a quilt and just haven't come up with any really great ideas. The panel I've been saving is not so much pricey, it's the fabrics I'm putting with it that are so I don't want to mess it up. Along comes another panel, bought at a thrift store, that gave me the push I needed to actually dream up panel quilt ideas of my own.

While browsing one of my favorite thrift stores, I spied a panel that said something I wanted to keep:

Center panel with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

There were about eight of them and even though I was tempted to buy more, reason kicked in and I went out the door with only one. Showing it off to friends later I noticed it wasn't cut even on one side and that was going to be a problem so I went back the same day and traded it out for a better one. It didn't languish long when I got out block patterns and tried out various color combinations, as you can see from the block next to the panel above. Here's a close up of my experimentation:

Color combinations

The white or cream background was nice but just too washed out. When I tried a print as the main color you can see that it's so busy you cannot see the pattern.  Since I was using a 10" layer cake stack of fabrics (the colors were really great with the panel colors), I went with one of the dominant colors for a turquoise main color with the others as supporting fabrics. There was too much red/pink to my liking so my husband suggested I try more yellow. I had to look in my stash of fabrics to find a few more that would coordinate well but in the end that was what worked.

Mock up for borders

With my daughters' help in color coordinating, I added the blue and brown inner borders but when it was done it just didn't look complete so she suggested another brown border and that was exactly what was needed. I found a brown print in my stash that would work for the backing and I was on a roll. Deciding how to quilt the various areas was really fun with an outline of the large botanical elements on the panel, outline the word "love", free motion designs on the blue and brown borders, but what about those big 12" blocks? I moved to a walking foot and stitched in the ditch on one side of each V pattern. With only twenty blocks it wasn't too tedious even if I did have to take out stitching once in awhile due to puckering on the backing. Once I got to the final border I got excited to mimic the straight diagonal lines of the blocks by making a diamond grid along the final edge. There was even enough brown fabric left to bind the whole thing! I love it when I don't have to buy anything new and for this 76" square project I only had to purchase the turquoise solid. Here's the quilt I took to First Quilter's to show off as well as get some advice:

Almost done!

I shared with them how I wanted to add stitches in the panel area so it would wash well and not bunch up and I got two suggestions. I added an outline of a dove in the center of the words and also added some flourishes around the lines of text where needed. It worked out  with no spaces larger than the 8" required for spacing by the batting manufacturer. 

Which machine did I use? For this project I started on a Janome Skyline 3 that was wonderful for piecing but when it came time for the free motion sewing the Janome didn't have feed dogs that dropped so I moved to a Bernina Artista 200. While that was great for free motion, when I needed to use a walking foot I moved to the Elna Quilting Queen 7300 with its built in walking foot. I love all three machines but think the Janome is going to be listed for sale and the Bernina was only bought so I could learn the embroidery system. More about those things later because we are off camping again to give me a bit of relief from sewing. 

We do have some sad news: our beloved cat, Meg, was finally put down a couple weeks ago, just shy of her 19th birthday. She was my sewing companion many times sitting on the back of the chair seat with me, trying to vie for my attention. Here's a final photo of the quilt and one of our Meg. May this quilt give someone joy as Meg did for us.

Grand finale

Meg, our quilting cat

Growing Older with Sewing Machines

 Many people ask where I find my sewing machines and I usually tell them I troll Craigslist, resell shops, trade-in, and new friends in sewing. Lately I've been the recipient of machines and sewing supplies from those who can no longer sew due to failing eyesight, physical limitations, and moving to a care facility. I first reported on finding an Elna Quilting Queen in the post Queen for a Day where failing eyesight forced the owner to sell her very fine sewing machine. I continue to use this machine and I'm considering keeping it.

About a month ago I answered an ad about sewing supplies in a storage shed and got in touch with a gentleman whom I met at a nearby storage facility. This all sounds a bit sketchy but we met in broad daylight and I sent a quick text to one of my daughters to tell her where I was and what I was doing just in case I was never heard from again. No joke: I take precautions whenever necessary. As it turned out, I got to look through the boxes and decide which ones to haul home and which ones I could not use and it was only one flat fee. Here's where it gets sweet: the owner had a trailer and would bring them right to my house. Deal! Instead of the 15 boxes he thought were available, I ended up with 24 boxes and still left file cabinets of patterns behind. He told the story of his mother and how she made doll clothes and was way deep into crafts. She died over a year ago and those boxes had been stored for at least ten years and they were ready to clear them out. I actually love a project like this so I got busy and sorted through the boxes and made piles: sell, keep, Textile Center Garage Sale, garbage. I found some nice books, zippers, seam roll, tailors ham and point board, quilting grids, cool fabric, fabric paint, and so many other sewing items.

That's a lot of sorting!

One of the most amazing things was a whole bolt of white terrycloth that was dirty and stained on the top folded edge. I serged the cut edges, sprayed the stains, soaked in hot water with a detergent booster, and washed it up. It turned out fantastic! That's 12 yards of decent quality fabric for stuffed animals, bibs, robes, or whatever I can dream up. My sister Sue always comes up with great ideas so I frequently tap into her creative mind for additional uses.

Just this week I answered an ad for a giveaway of a serger and other sewing supplies. I met a sweet woman who was moving to a different apartment in a senior center and knew she needed to really get serious about what she should keep and find a new home for unused items. Due to an ongoing shoulder problem she could no longer sew and was clearing out her sewing room. I was to get a dress form,

Dress Form

Elna serger in a Koala cabinet, various sewing supplies, and an office chair. While we tried to figure out how to get everything on a flatbed cart, I spied her Janome sewing machine and asked if she was selling it also. She was but had no offers so I bought it from her, including two lights and the table it was on.

Janome Skyline S3

I brought home quite the haul, including some fantastic fabric that was high quality and rather recently bought.

Fabric waiting to be sewn up

While we boxed and chatted, I told her about my sewing life and she said she was glad to know her items were going to be put to good use. What a sweet woman and one I could learn some life lessons from.

During all of this we got a new shed that included a cement pad so our yard is a wreck with beaten down grass and no rain to bring it back to life but no rain also meant all of the work was done on time. With help from a daughter and grandson, it has now received two coats of paint and is ready for an electrician to install a line. My husband helped our neighbor build a ramp (thanks, Bob!) so we are almost finished. Will sewing machines find their way into the shed? Stay tuned to the further adventures of the Sewing Machine Mavin.

New shed

Queen for a Day

 When I was a small tyke, my mom used to plunk me down in front of the 12" TV and turn on a favorite show to keep me busy. We hadn't heard about limiting screen time back then! One show I remember was Queen for a Day where several potential winners would tell the host their problem(s) in hopes of being chosen and winning all of the prizes. The one with the best story would be named Queen for a Day and would be shown all of her wonderful prizes that usually included kitchen appliances, washer and dryer, maybe a vacation or a new car. I loved seeing all of the prizes but it also made me sad because the other contestants still had their problems and went home with some consolation prize. This post is going to show you how I'm not only a Queen for a Day but every day because I found an Elna Quilting Queen Pro 7300 sewing machine.

Elna Quilting Queen Pro 7300

The first project I used it on was my sister's blue quilt and I couldn't have been happier. Although it has a large table to help with those bigger projects, I set it up on my dining table so there would be even more room for the quilt. The extension table had a large chunk broken off the front but I used white duct tape and made it smooth and usable again.

Extension table mended

There are so many features but I'll list my favorite ones, or at least those I have discovered.

Needle threader: so many sewing machines have this handy feature and they work for the most part but the Elna QQ does a better job than most. Very few are foolproof!

Thread cutter: my only other experience with this feature is my Viking Designer I and it's a bit touchy. This machine makes a rather loud sound as it is engaged but it works every time. Enough said.

Handy features

Presser foot lift: there is a knee lever for this feature that I can't use on the table it now rests on (lever catches on the table's front trim) but it works fine on the right surface.

Stitch chart: I usually find these things annoying but even though it's fairly large I pull it out of the tote bag and peruse it from time to time. How nice to see all of the stitches at once!

Stitch selection chart

Presser feet: these are the snap on variety but work just fine and it came with a fairly large variety. The narrow hemmer worked fine yesterday.

Presser feet of excellent quality

Bobbin winder: place the empty spool on the winder, thread it up, push a button on the screen, it's done. Seems like less fuss than some, winds a nice tight bobbin.

Bobbin winding with the push of a button

 and finally, the even feed foot: it's really the best reason to own this machine. Just like the Pfaff IDT, this is just one foot that locks into place and is a built in walking foot: first photo shows lever

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even feet foot engaged

The Elna Quilting Queen Pro is designed for quilting but it can still be used for garment sewing and home dec but note there is no free arm option, something that is always handy. I still managed to sew up swimsuits, capri pants, and shirts in the past few weeks so I'm not missing it too much. I hate to say it but this might have to live with me for quite awhile until I slink back to my D1. It will certainly be mad at me for my defection. I always say you need more than one sewing machine since some perform better than others at certain tasks but the Elna 7300 has won my heart for now.

She's Not Blue

Today is the day I've been waiting for: the quilt I made for my sister Sue is being delivered. This quilt was truly a labor of love: love for my sister and love for quilting. Last spring, during shut down, I made a quilt for my sister Mindy. It wasn't a big plan, just a bundle of quilting fabrics I bought from a quilting friend for $3 that I managed to put together into a pleasing pattern. I liked it, quilted it with her name in it, and sent it off. It was more of a whim than anything but this time I wanted to make a quilt that was more of a custom order, just what the recipient would want. 

Finding a bundle of blue quilt fabric at the Goodwill Outlet (I always seem to find these great bargains), I brought them home, washed, and set them aside while I contemplated their use. Over time I finally thought about Sue's love of the color blue so maybe I would make her a blue quilt. Checking out quilt patterns, I fell in love with Triple Barnstar quilt pattern by Amy Gibson

and thought it fit with my sisters decor also. I sent her a photo of the pattern and a stack of fabrics to see how she liked them and if she would like a quilt like this. It was an enthusiastic YES so I got started. The cutting and piecing went together very fast, maybe due to the rather large size of the pieces, and I used my Singer 66 Red Eye treadle for the piecing. I can't explain why but I like to piece on the treadle!

Spread out on the bed: looking good

This photo was before sewing it together and it seemed okay; I sent this photo to my quilting daughter, Kelly, and she also liked it. Here it is spread out on the porch floor

In full view, top pieced and sewn together.

I shared this photo with several people and all were fine with it. I added the row of four stars at the top and bottom so it was bigger and better able to fit on a queen sized bed, the requested size. By now I hope you have found the flaw in my assembly. Take a good look at the corners: the two on the right are facing out (correct) and the two on the left are not. Of course, I didn't discover this until I was way too far into the free motion quilting to make the change. I guess this just shows how "unique" this quilt really is!

Next up was the quilting and I spent many hours trying to figure out what to quilt where. After learning more from online quilting sessions, I wanted to highlight the white spaces and let the blue fabrics have a supporting role. Once I figured out what to quilt where on a quarter of the quilt, it was easy to repeat the patterns on the next quarter and the next until I was all done. It has a star theme:

Large white spaces with stars and fill

This gets difficult to describe but I made three star templates that I then used to trace out the stars and then use a fill of meandering loops. Some spaces have scallops in large or small proportions, there are other sections that have been divided into quarters for looped lines. Well, you get the idea. I loved how the final wide white border turned out with packed leaves and it was fun to do, too.

Wide border before binding

Which sewing machine did I use? It's a new-to-me Elna Quilting Queen 7300 that I just picked up in the last month and is she a beauty!

Elna Quilting Queen 7300

I knew it would be a good machine and it was a very good deal but I didn't know I was going to use it for this quilt but it has some very perfect features. The free motion was made so much easier, I love the thread cutting (it's better than my Viking Designer 1), bobbin winding was super easy, the presser foot can pull way up and lock in place to get the bulk of the quilt under the foot, it came with a large table to help support the weight of the quilt, and it was just fun! I did have to watch my tension and when I forgot I ended up taking out three sections and quilting them again. It could be my new main machine but we shall see. Much to my surprise, it also has a built in walking foot that I used for the binding:

Walking foot on Elna 7300

It was just like the Pfaff IDT where it pulls down from the back of the presser foot and locks in place. I'm using it now for a chenille quilt and it's just perfect, keeping the fabric from sliding out of alignment. Finally, I made up a label using a Singer Quantum XL400 embroidery machine:

Label on the back corner

I took the quilt to church and my daughter's house for better chance on getting the whole quilt into a photograph so here's the final result:

Triple Barnstar in blue with added stars

It's out for delivery today and I can't wait until she gets it because she knows how much labor is involved and how much I love her. The flaws and errors? It just shows that it wasn't made on a machine but was quilted at home just for her. 

UPDATE:

Sue got her package on Wednesday so we had a long phone conversation at night: she loves it! Just so you can see it in her home, here is a photo she sent:

Triple Barnstar in blue for Sue

Cheaper By The Dozen

Editiors note: sorry for the long delay in finishing up this post. I always want to include more photos but while I'm thinking about it I'm cleaning up and putting them away. I'll try harder "next time" 

When it rains it pours and sewing machines have started to pile up here in Minnesota. It started with an offer to buy six sewing machines from a young woman who wanted to start a business in sewing high end clothing. She traveled the world buying fabric, renting a space to work and store supplies but then things took a turn and she decided to go back to school instead. Not only was she selling off all of the fabric, she had six very nice sewing machines for sale: two Bernina's, two Elna's, a Brother and a Signature dedicated to buttonholes.

Brother CS 100

Signature ZigZag

We made arrangements and I picked them up a couple weeks ago. While there I could see how much fabric she had and it was overwhelming and a bit reassuring: I don't have that much fabric! I should have brought my husband along so he could see how fortunate he is that my fabric collection is much smaller! My sewing daughter and I went to her "bundle" sale last weekend, vowing we were just going to look but we each managed to spend $42 for some pretty nice fabric.

How about those machines: they seemed to be very complete with cases and accessories so I got own to cleaning and checking them out. The Elna 8000 was very complete and in good shape but the Elna 9000/Diva is missing the spool pin and doesn't have the extra vertical pin either. That got ordered and in the meantime I tried out all of the cassettes for more stitches, something only the Diva has, not the 8000. Don't let anyone tell you the 8000 and the 9000 are the same because they are clearly not.

The Berninas were also great with accessories and cases. Just a little loving care was needed and I think one might already be going out the door. The Brother CS-100 did sell right away to a grandmother who is teaching her granddaughter to sew, something I heartily approve of! The only one left is the Signature that came with a Singer buttonhole attachment, use solely for making buttonholes. They do work up very nice buttonholes! Here's my bundle of fabrics I brought back from my second visit that includes the stretch velvet, leather like fabric, a nice dress fabric, and some scraps that I couldn't resist for only $1.

From knits to leather, I can't wait to sew them up!

While I was busy with this group of machines I answered an ad for a set of four machines up in Lindstrom so off we went. This was a much more rugged group that I suspect came from an auction. It included a Pfaff 77, Bernina 700, another Signature, and a Kenmore 158-19412. Unfortunately, the Pfaff 77 bit the dust early and I had to strip down for parts, the Bernina 700 has stitch width problems, and the Signature has a bad case of smelly case. The real winner here is the Kenmore: very dirty but working just fine. I spent some quality time with it and she's looking good, just needs a Kenmore case that I think might be in the garage attic. 

Whew! But I wasn't finished. There's also a Singer 301 in a lovely table that included a full set of accessories and the cradle for easy lifting out of the machine from the table for transport. I'll have to tell you about the fabulous Elna Quilting Queen I picked up and even a New Home/Janome MyExcel 15S that works perfectly (and was free). Now I have to stop buying and need to get these sewing machines in shape so someone else can revel in their "new" machine as I have. Sew on!

The Twenty-Nine Cent Wonder

I buy a lot of sewing machines. I have many donated to me. And sometimes I get a bargain basement deal that turns out ... surprising.

This past week I went to our Goodwill E-Commerce building to pick up an Elna SU62 I won on their auction. It was a super deal and I could pick up locally so I planned it for a Wednesday morning when I could go into work late (because I worked the early evening shift) and take advantage of the senior discount. That's a whopping 25% off when shopping at their outlet store right next door. I found a few things but the two sewing machines they had set aside for $5.99 each were not stellar models so I just kept shopping. Along the way I spied two sewing machines that were in with all of the usual stuff but had no foot controls and were both somewhat stripped down. I kept shopping until I checked the pricing sign: electronics were 29 cents each. Really? I went back and picked up a Kenmore 158-1340 that was in so-so shape and possibly could still be useful. At the check out I confirmed that it would only be 29 cents and the young woman got a big smile when I got excited about my deal-of-the-day.

Once home I got to checking it over and couldn't figure out why the needle bar wouldn't go up or down and only moved a little bit. There wasn't anything in the way in the bobbin area and parts were missing from that area anyway so less to get jammed. The presser foot pressure dial was missing but I had more of those, and the tension unit was missing parts. As I picked it up to better see, I heard a clinking sound and found one of the missing tension disks was inside the machine near the needle bar, preventing it from moving up or down. Once removed the needle bar move just fine. A little cleaning, oiling, adding those missing pieces, including a power cord and foot control, and we were in business. Here's what I added:
Tension assembly
Shuttle hook
Race Cover
Bobbin case, bobbins
Pressure regulator
Light bulb
Power cord and foot control

New tension assembly in place and presser foot pressure thingy

Shuttle hook and race cover in place

All were pretty standard and I thought I might even have the extension table but I didn't find it with all of the others so chances look slim. I did have to try out a couple different tension assemblies to find one that was compatible but with some testing and adjustments it stitched just fine. Not every machine is worth rescuing but these old Kenmore's are sturdy, basic, and easy to use. Did I mention it was only 29 cents? That was a big win-win and someone will get a good no-frills sewing machine that's a nice bargain, too.

Kenmore 158-1340: a ready to go

Next up was the Elna SU62, the purpose for my visit to the outlet. It came in the blue metal carrying case, complete with foot control and power cords but sans any accessories. At first the stitching would only jam things up so I took off the needle plate to find thread caught up in the bobbin area plus a ton of linty stuff. Even after cleaning out the fluff it wouldn't stitch but the thread kept getting caught. Once I took the drop-in bobbin case out, held in with only two screws, I could see a large piece of thread caught in it. In the end I had to take most of it apart to get that thread out but now it was super clean and ready to sew again.

Elna SU62 feed dogs and bobbin area exposed (after cleaning)

It stitched very nicely and needed very few adjustments. I already have a set of accessories for an Elna SU, including many of the coveted cams for decorative stitches, so she will be ready to go to a new home very soon. That blue metal case was in excellent condition and I used my new Gojo to clean off the dust and give it a bit of a shine.

Elna cams and accessories

Very portable with accessories neatly tucked under the free arm

Elna SU62 ready for a new owner

A trip to Goodwill to pick up an auction item can sometimes turn out to have a bonus: a 29 cent machine discounted to less than a quarter of a dollar. Sweet.

Summer Sun-Time

We really appreciate our summers here in the cold north, especially with longer daylight and wonderful sunsets. It's a little more difficult to stay inside to sew or work on sewing machines but on milder days I work in the garage getting some of those cabinets in shape and ready for someone else to enjoy. Beside being very excited about some motor switching on an industrial sewing machine, I've had the chance to pick up a Bernina Sport 802 that came in a very old compact cabinet that just wasn't right:

Metal flanges where hinges should be

The old hinges were removed and the substitute metal pieces were screwed in to hold the machine aloft. It was pretty weird so I took the Bernina out, to be sold as a portable like it is, and took the compact cabinet back to its original glory:

Compact cabinet now with an Elna SU62

I had the perfect machine to go in it, an Elna SU62, a very well worn machine that someone was going to toss as written in earlier post Cabinets Again. The Elna came in a table with a mounted foot control with a motor block, one of those outlets that has markings for a motor plug and a light plug. That was not what the Elna used so it seemed a shame to keep it in the wrong table. Voila! It is now in the compact cabinet with a fun chair that fits up into it snuggly. I found some fabric that complimented the light blue top on the Elna and covered the seat after adding more padding. The cabinet cleaned up rather nice with Howard's Feed & Wax so she is ready for her new home.

Elna SU62 in its new home

Compact cabinet with recovered seat on chair

While perusing the thrift stores I found a pink sewing machine that sorely tempted me but it was in a big ol' cabinet and I just couldn't face another one so here's what I did. I promised myself I could buy it at 40% off, on Senior Day, if it was still there in four days. It was not there on Senior Day so I could walk away with a clear conscience, that is until I found another cabinet. That's right, I found one without a sewing machine but with a sharp edged opening of a Kenmore. Taking a photo and heading home, I was glad I didn't have the right vehicle with me so I could think about this one. Of course, I have a Kenmore that has needed a table or cabinet but this one exceeded my list of requirements:

Kenmore cabinet

Good lines, solid wood, excellent condition...would the Kenmore 158-161 fit? My husband went back with me on Member Discount day and I hauled in that very heavy all metal sewing machine to find out if it would fit. Perfect! At 25% off it was a deal.

Once again, I cleaned up the desk (table with drawers?) with Howard's Feed & Wax only to find it had been refinished along the way. Doesn't it look great with the Kenmore model 61? That is one very nice machine, similar to one of my first Kenmore's that was frozen but I got working again, an early career victory that got me hooked on sewing machine restoration. They are quite heavy though, so I suggest a cabinet, not a portable case.

Kenmore 158-161

Kenmore 61 in new cabinet/desk/table

Of course, I've been sewing, too, making up tote bags for sergers with rope enclosed in those handles:

Wide nylon webbing with rope sewn in

Finished bag with serger tucked inside

The mangle got into the act with pressing the fabrics so very flat and smooth; there's a definite learning curve in learning how to best use this large rolling iron! When we had a cool night over the weekend we actually had a fire in our portable fire kettle:

New patio, new fire kettle

Enjoying those Minnesota sunsets and hope you are getting outside, too.

Resolved

As my space for sewing machines, their repair, equipment, and storage of all of this does not grow any larger, I keep resolving not to buy any more machines. Notice I say resolve and I have not been very good at keeping this firm determination. Although I continue to sell many sewing machines and do reject any number I see advertised and in shops, there are some that I have not been able to refuse. My last post, Blizzard!, reported about the Singer 31-15 industrial machine, table, and motor that I brought home. It took a whole week before I could figure out a way to get it out of my vehicle without hurting myself or calling in the muscle. With the head already out and in the house just the heavy clutch motor was holding it all down so I crawled into the back of the Jeep and started unscrewing. There were six screws and a belt holding it in place and then some electrical connections. With my husband's help we got the electrical wires disengaged but still usable. Now to order a new servo motor: there are so many kinds/brands/features that I'm overwhelmed but I'll figure this out, too. Ratings are all over the place but I have to consider who I would be selling this to. It's not for true industrial work but for the hobbyist who needs something with more piercing power and strength.

Back of industrial Singer 31-15 sewing machine table with motor and head removed

Now that we are assured winter is over and spring might actually have a chance, I can get back to having sewing machines and their tables in the garage. We actually got both industrial tables set up at the back of the garage along with a Wheeler and Wilson #9 treadle.

Singer 78 and 31-15 at the back of the garage

Then I have 2 compact cabinets along the side next to the wall of the house. Along with lawn mowers and the usual garage stuff, we still managed to get both cars in the garage! That is until we bought a snow blower: after winter is over and no more snow is predicted, we get our first snow blower. It came via friends who are moving to San Diego and clearly had no need of one so we agreed upon a fair price and picked it up last night. That sounded easy, didn't it? As it turns out, it was way too big and heavy at 250 pounds for my Jeep and my back so we recruited my son-in-law who has a pickup and muscles for the job. He brought a friend along and they made it look easy but I'm sure it was not. In return we filled up his tank and vacuumed out the cab, the least we could do for him.

Craftsman 28" snow thrower

The seller told us there was no electric starter on it and proceeded to show us how it worked without it; we were disappointed but it was not a deal breaker. The next day a neighbor came over and he and my husband worked on it and he said the electric start was right there on the side. Sure enough, it works like a charm. What a deal! Sometimes blessings come in ways we never expected.

We just found out we have a granddaughter who not only enjoyed her sewing lesson a few weeks ago, she really wants a sewing machine for her birthday. I suggested she get one at the beginning of the summer so she has all those hours to fill with learning how to use a sewing machine and to sew. We have agreed upon an Elna 1500 that should be a good place to start:

Elna 1500

That's how blessings work, isn't it, when someone can sell me a snow blower at a ridiculous price and I can give away a sewing machine to a younger learner. That always feels so good!