New Sewing Machine

Good morning to you, on this very hot, end of August day.  Is it hot where you are?  Or are you beginning to feel the changing of the seasons?  The only changes we are experiencing here, are the slightly shorter days, and the leaves are turning brown and beginning to fall.  Other than that, it is still summer and HOT!
I did something the other day that I have NEVER, EVER done before!  I was channel surfing, and happened upon a demonstration being done on a sewing machine.  That caught my attention, and I tuned in to watch.  Turns out I was watching The Home Shopping Network.  I don't ever watch the shopping channels, and I have certainly not ever purchased anything from them.  But there I sat, watching.  The more I watched, the more I was tempted.  I phoned my husband, and told him that there was a fabulous deal on a sewing machine that I would love to have.  He laughed, and brushed it off, but then I texted him said, "No, I'm serious.  This is a great deal!  Can I get it?"  I had no business buying this.  I have machines.  Plural.  But I do not, however, have a machine with all of these stitches.  Nor features that I would love to have on a machine.  I haven't had a new machine since I married, 35 years ago.  I bought it at Sears, a Sears Kenmore straight stitch, for 99 dollars.  I paid for it on time.  10  dollars a month.  I used that machine until the motor blew up about 10 years ago.   I have a very good Viking.  It is 35 years old, and sews beautifully. I bought it from my sewing machine repair man, for 200 dollars, after my Kenmore blew up. tw But it lacks some stitches I would love to use.  And I need a new quilting foot with an open toe, and a new walking foot.  Those purchases alone, would be nearly half of what I could buy this new machine for.  Greg said get it.  So I did.

I pulled the trigger, and called the number on the screen.  The cost was 199 dollars.  It came with an additional package of  accessories worth another 100.  The shipping was free.  It arrived the very next day!  I couldn't believe it!!  It is a Singer One.  I priced it at Joann's the other day, where it was listed at 349.00.  But that did not include the supplemental package with all of the extra feet and things that I got.  It was a good deal indeed.  I just wish it had needle down option for machine quilting on it.  Oh well.  I guess I can't have everything.

 

I opened it up and put it on the little table I have in the family room, so I could read about it and play with it, while Noah had his after school snack and watched his shows.  I read the manual and learned how to thread it and wind a bobbin, and all of that.  It has an automatic needle threader too, which is great for my old eyes!!   I called my friend Jae, and she ran right over so we could ohhh and ahhhh over it together!  I sent her home with my other Viking, and told her to go home and play with it.  Hers is only a straight stitch machine.  I took out my scraps and began to demo all of the stitches.   This machine has a blanket stitch on it, which I like to do for applique, but I do it by hand.  Woo-Hoo!!!  Everything is touch screen, and so easy to change stitches.  My Viking, although I love it, has cams that are inserted into the machine for stitch changes.  This is simply a finger touch to change.   I took these pumpkins out and practiced the blanket stitch with them.  That does take practice going around curves and stopping and starting at corners!  I need to work on that.

Jae and I ran to Joann's the next day and I got some fabric to do a table topper.  I used the same self binding method as the flannel baby blankets I have made. What a great pattern that is.  You get such nice sharp mitered corners.  I thought I wanted to put it on the table in the family room.  It has antique red trucks, and wagons, and red barns.  It looks very Fallish.

But I don't think I will leave it there.  I should have made it larger for that table.  I think I will put it in the kitchen at the little deuce.  It is smaller and looks better.   I used the herringbone stitch, the one for smocking, to top stitch the topper down.

The back and binding is a pretty golden yellow.  The corners are so crisp and nice with this method.  You can see the fabric a little bit better in this shot.  It is a Susan Winget print.   12  dollars a yard, but I used my coupon for 40% off

Although I do like the fabric, with red barns and trucks, I will be making another one soon, as I would get tired of this print looking at it every day.  A little too busy for me.  But a cute topper to use for a Fall day on the table from time to time.
I am in the process of reorganizing my sewing room to better serve me.  I want to have my Hannah over for a little sewing lesson, and I want to get her set up at a smaller table to work at.  I will take her to Joann's to select her own fabric, and help her to make a pillow case.  She is excited and so am I!
I am eager to get going on several Fall projects I have to work on.  What are you working on?  Are you thinking about the holidays yet?  I am!
I was with my Mom the other day at a few furniture stores.  We were in Ethan Allen and I was aghast at how much the pillows were!  I like to make pillows, and I have sold several for the holidays.  I snapped some pics for ideas.  This one was on sale........for 159 dollars!  E Gads!!

The pillow was a very simple piece of linen with jumbo black ric rac, and piped edges.  The pillow form was however, down.  But I can duplicate this very easily, and for far less!
I liked this one too.  I want to find an anchor applique and make a couple of these for my brother's boat.

Loved this one too.

Hey Patty, could we paint this on fabric????
I also wanted this chair.  So pretty and feminine looking.  However, quite a bit out of my price range.  But oh so cute!
I have a few good thrift store finds to share with you for next time.  Til then.........
XO  Kris