Showing posts with label sewing machine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing machine. Show all posts

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Jungle Fever!

When I had visited Jackie last we went to the store and picked up fabric for a quilt.  I initially had thought that I would have it done in no time.  Yea that is never how it works.

I finished it literally on the way to meet her, Dallas, and the cutie for dinner.  No joke.  Jon drove us there.


This is what I was working with.  Jackie loved the color changing thread.

I am really glad I bought the super huge (well not the hugest) cutting mat.  It made it so much easier to cut the fabric.

Of course it all starts with cutting the fabric.  This is always the hardest part for me.  I have to make sure that I am cutting it the right way and will end up with the right amount  and right size squares.

Speaking of making sure everything ends up right... I had to draw myself a picture to make sure that I would end up with enough squares.
Don't laugh because I ended up with the perfect amount of squares.

My first roadblock became which way to have the zebra stripes facing... I had to ask Jon's opinion and it only verified what I already knew.  Non-Crazy stripes was the way to go.

Getting them all pinned up was super easy since Jon helped!

The sewing was standard straight lines.  Gotta love it.  In a pile they look all the more impressive don't you think?

Jon helped me line the backing up against the front of the quilt.  I made sure to cut away the excess.

To get the back fabric all lined up I rolled up the front fabric with the lining and unrolled it out onto the backing fabric.  It worked like a charm.  It got all pinned up and was ready for quilting!

I have a hard time making decisions, can you tell that already?  Jackie and I had decided on a color scheme in the store.  Did I write it down to remember it later?  Of course not!  It had come time to sew in the quilting and I couldn't remember for the life of me which way we decided to go.  I had to call my mom after sending her pictures to get her opinion.  And what did we end up with?

The yellow on the front and the green on the back.  I think it turned out very nicely.

The drama came in when I realized that my machine did not have the thread tension set correctly when I had already sewn almost all of the quilting lines.  I freaked out and started seam ripping a bunch of the quilting out thinking I could do it again.

Yea that didn't work.  After ripping and re-sewing three lines worth I realized my old machine was screwed.  I decided to give up and be good with how it was.  Because I didn't want to add anymore multi-colored thread to this pile.

I have no pictures of pinning and sewing the bias tape, so darn, you get to see the final reveal now.


I loved it.  And Jackie loved it too.  I can't wait for Caleb to use it.

Now I just have to get both of my machines to the Dr.s and I can get back to sewing with machines that work properly!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Today is My Birthday!

I have been having a fabulous birthday.  As I mentioned I went home over the weekend in part to celebrate Mother's Day but also my birthday.  I will be sharing sewing I was able to accomplish later this week along with my mom and I's failure in baking too.  But today I want to share some of the lovely things people have already done for me... and my day is only half over!  I promise I am not bragging, I am just excited to receive such thoughtful things and I like to share.

I received my first gifts from my parents and grandmother which included: new shoes!, a cute tshirt, a gift card to Publix, and some fun money.  I will have to take pictures of the shoes later as they are super cute!

From Jon's parents I received a new sewing machine!!!  They work estate sales in the area and one of the most recent ones happened to have a pretty much brand new (PINK) Juliet machine.  I think they ended up buying a case for me (which means they probably spend too much on me).  She also bought a little purse for me from one of her clients.  I even have the chance to detail it with what I want!  (I forgot to take pictures of that this morning... I will be sure to do that when I get home).

I told you it was pink!

The thread and everything is contained within it not on top!

I just have to show you all of the stitches it will do!  I haven't gone through the manual yet but I can't wait to use them all!
So many stitches!!


Today I have received a bunch of stuff!  My officemate at work brought me in several items to add to my collection saying that she saw them and couldn't resist getting them.  I have to say I agree with her :)

I am a bit of a collector of ducks... and just about everyone knows it... :)  I love the easter themed ones that are as if they are chocolate bunnies.  Especially with an ear bit off.  I had been talking about these since I saw them in the Oriental Training issue.  I should take a picture of all of my ducks so you can bask in their cuteness.

Another lovely friend I have at work bought me a note pad.  In what I do for work I make a lot of little notes that I always seem to scatter around my desk.  Hopefully this will help me keep them altogether.

But I have to say the best of all was having my sister surprise me at lunch (we went to Greens & Grill) today, which my boss graciously paid for.  Staci even had flowers and a yummy gluten-free cupcake from Sweet! for me!!
The cupcake was devoured quite quickly.

Things yet to happen are my dinner and a movie date with Jon!  And whatever Jon decided to get for me.  :)

Tomorrow I will have for you the baking failure my mom and I experienced when we tried to make me a birthday cake on Saturday night.  It might induce laughing, so be prepared.

Much thanks to those that have showered me with love today (via in person, facebook, text messages, and phone calls).