Wordless Wednesday

happy quilting,
Kate

Chain Piecing with Fiona

So, I was supposed to go on a photography excursion today and take pictures of butterflies. Sounds like fun, huh? But, I have a cold- a real humdinger and I was sure no one wanted me coughing, spreading germs and scaring the butterflies! So I stayed home.   :(

Instead, Fiona and I spent a little time together and did some chain piecing.

I love to chain piece! We were making four patches in three sizes. Why are there always more of the tiny ones? 

Got to keep that pedal to the metal!

Happy quilting,

Kate

Happy New Year with a Featherweight

Happy New Year!

What a year 2012 was! My family and I went thru a lot of changes- three moves, a wedding and just assorted stuff! Can't wait to see what is in store for 2013.

I have a little story; back in October, the day before I was to leave to go to Quilt Market in Houston, I went to see a new quilting friend. She lives in an assisted living center and they have a sale every Friday. Residents and families bring in items they no longer need and the items are sold to raise money for the residents of the center.

There was a featherweight for sale.

I have always wanted a featherweight.

A featherweight!
So I went to see. And there she was, with her box and lots of attachments including a buttonholer!


Oh my.

After a little negotiation, she was mine.
And so, I brought her home.

And then I left. And then I was busy and then I was traveling, then it was the holidays.... she was neglected.

So on New Years Day, she and I got reacquainted.

Isn't she pretty? Not fancy, but what a little workhorse!

The story gets better!

When I was in Houston, I stopped at a booth for the Sew Steady acrylic tables to put around your sewing machine.











I actually purchased this little stand for my iPad.

And I got my name entered into a drawing.

And look what I won! A Sew Steady table for my featherweight! So I set everything up yesterday and got to sewing. I love the machine! I love the table! Thank you Sew Steady!

First I had to adjust tension, etc.... and then I had to figure out my ¼" seam. So here is how I did that, just in case you were wondering.

Celine Perkins, of Perkins Dry Goods, has a nifty little gadget called the Perfect Piecing Seam Guide. It helps you to establish a perfect "scant" ¼" seam. So I thought I would try it out. I got out my blue painters tape.

First I put it under my presser foot and stuck the needle in the hole provided. Ok so far.

Then I butted up the painters tape to the guide.

I grabbed some old fabric and cut three strips, each 1 ½" wide x 6" long and sewed them together. Then I pressed the seams out to the sides.



Measured the center strip- it should be exactly 1" wide. Hmmm.... nope! I think my tape slid under the guide just a little.

So I readjusted, resewed and remeasured. Why does the bobbin always run out when you are in the middle of a seam? That's OK, I got to wind my first bobbin on the featherweight!






Perfect!

I always like to double check, so I did it again. But I reversed the fabrics. You will see why in a second. And this time, I pressed the seams in towards the center strip. Still perfect! Yea!

And then, because I hate to waste stuff, I cut them up into 1 ½" wide segments.

Then I sewed them together and now have two 9-patch blocks for something.

Maybe a cute little mug rug.









Fiona and I had a great time together yesterday. We also made a table runner, but I will save that for another day.

And yes, I name my machines. My other machine is Vicky. She is acting a little off lately and will have to go see the specialist soon, but luckily Fiona can help fill in the gap!

Happy quilting!
Kate

p.s. I have a question- I found these leftover triangles from some project and I sewed them together.

Which way should I go- two blocks the same with different pinwheels, or two different blocks?

Two blocks this way?

One block

One block

Not sure what I am going to do with them, that comes later!

Help me out- leave me a comment on which way to go! thanks!