Since my featherweight has joined my sewing room, Miss Juki has found herself on the floor. To help her feel better, I made her a cover so she won't get all dusty. 

Never fear, Miss Juki, you will be used very soon! I promise!!

Since my featherweight has joined my sewing room, Miss Juki has found herself on the floor. To help her feel better, I made her a cover so she won't get all dusty. 

Never fear, Miss Juki, you will be used very soon! I promise!!

Lisa @ Mom So Blessed asked me if I would share what machine I use to quilt with and the other tools I like to use in my sewing room. 

Sure! Why not! Besides, I like knowing what other people use and why, as well. =) 

My very favorite and the most important thing in my room is my Juki 98Q. 

I adore this machine!! 

She (all of a sudden "it" became a "she"...) does one stitch, a straight stitch and it does it to perfection. I rarely have to touch the tension knob.

 She is fast! Up to 1500 stitches per minute. I don't often take her to that speed, but I do find my self annoyed at other sewing machines that aren't going fast enough, so I must take her more to the limit than I think I do. 

She is sturdy. Made of metal and not a lot of plastic. Maintenance is a breeze. Oil her once in a while and clean to the lint. Easy peasy....

She is large enough to handle the biggest quilts. The area right of the needle is 6" x 9". Plenty of room to manouver a large quilt, and I have. Many times. 

In the two years I have owned her, I have never had any trouble what so ever. 

Two things here. The Pin Place magnetic holder and my favorite tweezers. I use the tweezers to pull the bobbin thread up to the top of my quilt when I am quilting and the Pin Place keeps me from losing it. I got the tweezers at Joann Fabrics. The Pin Place I found on line. Just give it a Google. 

This thread cutter I bought at Nolting's. When I am chain piecing, it's faster, handier and easier to use this to cut all the threads between the pieces than to use scissors. It came with a double stick tape to attach it to the machine, but I found it wasn't strong enough, so I attached it with a small piece of a Command Strip. It's not going anywhere any time soon. 

Machingers. Best quilting gloves ever, in my opinion. They don't stay clean long, but that doesn't affect the performance at all. =) 

Famore scissors.  The smaller 5" pair of scissors I won in the Quilter Wantobe Campaign last summer. Oh, how I ❤ these scissors. They cut like a hot knife through butter. I loved them so much, I asked for a 8" pair for cutting fabric for my birthday last year. They do not disappoint. I have a few more Famore scissors on my wish list. =) 

For pressing, I use one of two vintage irons I found thrifting. I own a Rowenta iron and it is very nice, however, once I started using these smaller vintage travel irons, the Rowenta stays put away. These babies get hot and they don't weigh a ton. 

 I bought the Polder Iron Cord Holder over 2 1/2 years ago and I have never regretted it. I will replace it if something should happen to this one. 

Several years ago, Russ made me a large pressing board to fit over an ironing board. When I found my pink cabinet, the pressing board found a new home. Originally I stapled the cover to the board, but after replacing the cover a couple of times because of the staining the starch causes, I no longer staple the cover on. Now I can wash the cover when needed and when it gets too stained for my liking, I toss it and make a new one. 

I hope this was helpful and somewhat informative. 

I would love to know what your favorite machines and tools are that you like to use. 

Happy sewing!

Lisa @ Mom So Blessed asked me if I would share what machine I use to quilt with and the other tools I like to use in my sewing room. 

Sure! Why not! Besides, I like knowing what other people use and why, as well. =) 

My very favorite and the most important thing in my room is my Juki 98Q. 

I adore this machine!! 

She (all of a sudden "it" became a "she"...) does one stitch, a straight stitch and it does it to perfection. I rarely have to touch the tension knob.

 She is fast! Up to 1500 stitches per minute. I don't often take her to that speed, but I do find my self annoyed at other sewing machines that aren't going fast enough, so I must take her more to the limit than I think I do. 

She is sturdy. Made of metal and not a lot of plastic. Maintenance is a breeze. Oil her once in a while and clean to the lint. Easy peasy....

She is large enough to handle the biggest quilts. The area right of the needle is 6" x 9". Plenty of room to manouver a large quilt, and I have. Many times. 

In the two years I have owned her, I have never had any trouble what so ever. 

Two things here. The Pin Place magnetic holder and my favorite tweezers. I use the tweezers to pull the bobbin thread up to the top of my quilt when I am quilting and the Pin Place keeps me from losing it. I got the tweezers at Joann Fabrics. The Pin Place I found on line. Just give it a Google. 

This thread cutter I bought at Nolting's. When I am chain piecing, it's faster, handier and easier to use this to cut all the threads between the pieces than to use scissors. It came with a double stick tape to attach it to the machine, but I found it wasn't strong enough, so I attached it with a small piece of a Command Strip. It's not going anywhere any time soon. 

Machingers. Best quilting gloves ever, in my opinion. They don't stay clean long, but that doesn't affect the performance at all. =) 

Famore scissors.  The smaller 5" pair of scissors I won in the Quilter Wantobe Campaign last summer. Oh, how I ❤ these scissors. They cut like a hot knife through butter. I loved them so much, I asked for a 8" pair for cutting fabric for my birthday last year. They do not disappoint. I have a few more Famore scissors on my wish list. =) 

For pressing, I use one of two vintage irons I found thrifting. I own a Rowenta iron and it is very nice, however, once I started using these smaller vintage travel irons, the Rowenta stays put away. These babies get hot and they don't weigh a ton. 

 I bought the Polder Iron Cord Holder over 2 1/2 years ago and I have never regretted it. I will replace it if something should happen to this one. 

Several years ago, Russ made me a large pressing board to fit over an ironing board. When I found my pink cabinet, the pressing board found a new home. Originally I stapled the cover to the board, but after replacing the cover a couple of times because of the staining the starch causes, I no longer staple the cover on. Now I can wash the cover when needed and when it gets too stained for my liking, I toss it and make a new one. 

I hope this was helpful and somewhat informative. 

I would love to know what your favorite machines and tools are that you like to use. 

Happy sewing!

Viking got a tune up. She sews "sew" fine now....

Stay cool and enjoy your 4th of July!

Viking got a tune up. She sews "sew" fine now....

Stay cool and enjoy your 4th of July!

Fair warning: spending time Michelle  will make you want to rescue sewing machines. 

Case in point...Russ found this little lady was at Goodwill the other night with a price tag of $15. After a wee bit of research, Russ and I discovered we found a Singer 15-91. 15-91's are gear driven and not belt driven. She has what is called a "potted motor." This particular machine was born in 1949. More information on the SInger 15-91's can be found on Sew Classic Blog. 

As you can see, the cord was in terrible shape. Not too surprising with it being over 60 years old. I confess, I did plug it in to see if the machine worked. It ran beautifully. When I went to unplug it, the sparks flew from the plug and exploded. I never claimed to have common sense and am grateful my house didn't catch fire. Lesson learned....

During the cleaning time, the black plastic that was on the wires crumbled off and made a huge black mess. Clearly, the whole thing needed to be rewired. 

This is where Russ, my personal electrical tech comes in the picture. 

He began some work on it last night and is making more progress today. It will be a sweet machine when it's all fixed up and oiled. 

And, no, I am not going to begin collecting machines. 

Although, a featherweight would be sweet....

Hmmm......

Fair warning: spending time Michelle  will make you want to rescue sewing machines. 

Case in point...Russ found this little lady was at Goodwill the other night with a price tag of $15. After a wee bit of research, Russ and I discovered we found a Singer 15-91. 15-91's are gear driven and not belt driven. She has what is called a "potted motor." This particular machine was born in 1949. More information on the SInger 15-91's can be found on Sew Classic Blog. 

As you can see, the cord was in terrible shape. Not too surprising with it being over 60 years old. I confess, I did plug it in to see if the machine worked. It ran beautifully. When I went to unplug it, the sparks flew from the plug and exploded. I never claimed to have common sense and am grateful my house didn't catch fire. Lesson learned....

During the cleaning time, the black plastic that was on the wires crumbled off and made a huge black mess. Clearly, the whole thing needed to be rewired. 

This is where Russ, my personal electrical tech comes in the picture. 

He began some work on it last night and is making more progress today. It will be a sweet machine when it's all fixed up and oiled. 

And, no, I am not going to begin collecting machines. 

Although, a featherweight would be sweet....

Hmmm......

 I...

Can't...

Breathe...

A HUGE thank you to Michelle @ Life With Lou who told me about the garage sale that's happening tomorrow and encouraged me to call to get the info on the 301A today. All who are looking for this beauty tomorrow will be disappointed because it came home with me! Woot!! 

I'd love to find a cabinet for her...

 I...

Can't...

Breathe...

A HUGE thank you to Michelle @ Life With Lou who told me about the garage sale that's happening tomorrow and encouraged me to call to get the info on the 301A today. All who are looking for this beauty tomorrow will be disappointed because it came home with me! Woot!! 

I'd love to find a cabinet for her...

It's amazing and I love it...Even though I have only sewn a few short seams on scrap fabric. Why only a few seams? Because as much as I was looking forward to trying it out, I had more important things to do today...

Cuddle a baby.

Follow a toddler.

Give a young mom a break.

Because people are more important than things.

I'll post a review and pictures soon... :-)

It's amazing and I love it...Even though I have only sewn a few short seams on scrap fabric. Why only a few seams? Because as much as I was looking forward to trying it out, I had more important things to do today...

Cuddle a baby.

Follow a toddler.

Give a young mom a break.

Because people are more important than things.

I'll post a review and pictures soon... :-)

Remember when my Mac was sick and needed fixin'? Remember how some sweet friends took up a donation to help me pay for Mac's surgery? This confession is for them, but y'all can read it. :o)

I have been harboring a guilty secret. For weeks now, I have been debating whether to say something about it here or not. I decided to spill it...You all need to know. And, after I tell you, I will happily and gratefully reimburse you for the gift towards my Mac's medical bill....

Remember my mom's sewing machine that I received in December? Bear with me, there is a connection. In this post, I mentioned that it was in the shop for a check up. I got the news from them right after my Mac got sick. It was not good news. To repair my Mom's sewing machine was going to cost $425 (as much as it was worth) and there was no guarantee that nothing else would go wrong with it and need another repair. Due to it's age, the parts for it are "astronomical" according to the Viking repair man. *sigh* What to do...I debated and went back and forth for over a week, weighing the pros and cons of fixing it. I got spoiled very quickly with the bells and whistles of Mom's machine and I knew I wanted another one with bells and whistles to replace it, if we decided to not fix it.

Meanwhile, a Yahoo group I am a member of called "Quilter's Flea market," had a new ad with three used Viking sewing machines for sale. The gal's husband told her she could upgrade to the Viking Diamond if she sold her other Viking sewing machines. They were much newer than my Mom's and she wasn't asking much more for them then it would cost for me to fix my Mom's. After much debate, Russ told me to get the newer one (our tax return money paid for it) and we would retire my Mom's machine. I'll be selling the accessories to it to recoup some of the money I spent on my new sewing machine...

Meanwhile again, you all were so generous to donate to help fix my Mac. I felt so guilty even considering getting a new sewing machine, thus...If any of you want your donation back, I will reimburse you. :o)

Now, that that is off my chest, so to speak, I want to show you what my hubby bought for me. :o)

Remember when my Mac was sick and needed fixin'? Remember how some sweet friends took up a donation to help me pay for Mac's surgery? This confession is for them, but y'all can read it. :o)

I have been harboring a guilty secret. For weeks now, I have been debating whether to say something about it here or not. I decided to spill it...You all need to know. And, after I tell you, I will happily and gratefully reimburse you for the gift towards my Mac's medical bill....

Remember my mom's sewing machine that I received in December? Bear with me, there is a connection. In this post, I mentioned that it was in the shop for a check up. I got the news from them right after my Mac got sick. It was not good news. To repair my Mom's sewing machine was going to cost $425 (as much as it was worth) and there was no guarantee that nothing else would go wrong with it and need another repair. Due to it's age, the parts for it are "astronomical" according to the Viking repair man. *sigh* What to do...I debated and went back and forth for over a week, weighing the pros and cons of fixing it. I got spoiled very quickly with the bells and whistles of Mom's machine and I knew I wanted another one with bells and whistles to replace it, if we decided to not fix it.

Meanwhile, a Yahoo group I am a member of called "Quilter's Flea market," had a new ad with three used Viking sewing machines for sale. The gal's husband told her she could upgrade to the Viking Diamond if she sold her other Viking sewing machines. They were much newer than my Mom's and she wasn't asking much more for them then it would cost for me to fix my Mom's. After much debate, Russ told me to get the newer one (our tax return money paid for it) and we would retire my Mom's machine. I'll be selling the accessories to it to recoup some of the money I spent on my new sewing machine...

Meanwhile again, you all were so generous to donate to help fix my Mac. I felt so guilty even considering getting a new sewing machine, thus...If any of you want your donation back, I will reimburse you. :o)

Now, that that is off my chest, so to speak, I want to show you what my hubby bought for me. :o)