28 years of service

Twenty-eight years ago, I purchased this European model Pfaff Synchromatic 1215 sewing machine and today it may have sewn its last stitch. It has sewn many miles of thread and fabric - everything from clothing to crafts to curtains and finally, quilts. This morning, I was hurrying to finish piecing a donation crazy quilt wallhanging. Finished one seam and when I wanted to sew the next, my machine would not sew unless I turned the wheel by hand. My husband thinks it may be the motor but I'm hoping not.

It will be next week before I can take it to the repairman or look for a new sewing machine. I'm in the middle of several quilt show quilts, other projects plus the donation quilt so something will have to be done soon so I can sew again.

I won't have access to my computer this weekend but I'm wondering if there's anyone willing to share what kind of sewing machine you use and if you'd recommend it. I'd appreciate hearing from you!

What just happened here ...

Did I start some new projects or what?

I guess I can blame it on the cold weather we're having! Do not want to leave the house much except for food or fabric.

This is only part of a Rocky Road to Kansas crazy quilt. Just the strip piecing is done, still have to cut and sew the red insets and borders before I start stitching. Without being aware of doing so, I think my color choices were influenced by Amish / Mennonite quilts.

These wonky applique circles are part of a donation crazy quilt and one for me too! I think trim or lace or embroidery or something will be needed to make those circles look better.

More of the fabrics I'm using in that crazy quilt wallhanging. This one's a tough one for me because I'm used to working with strong bright colors and I'm trying to make something more in the pastel range and sweet, very sweet. I'm afraid I'm losing the battle and some brights are sneaking in.

These blocks are not new. I found them when I was looking around my sewing room for more fabrics to use in the Rocky Road to Kansas crazy quilt. All the fabric is brushed cotton / flannels and is striped. I remember now why I only made four blocks before I folded it all up and carefully put it away with the pattern (Antique Rug by Aardvark Quilts). See all those stripes? They have to match to create the design. At the time I started these, I didn't like matching but now it seems very appealing to me. Not sure when I'll get the chance to work on these again but I hope soon!

Remember my clamshell quilt? If not, you can see it here. I think I've decided to big stitch/utility stitch it in, gulp, orange perle cotton 8. Someone suggested orange to me this afternoon and my immediate reaction was less than positive but I've done some test stitching and it looks surprisingly good.

If I wake up tomorrow morning and hate it, I guess I can always blame it on the weather too!

Building Code Violation

This probably means I shouldn't try to build my own house to live in, right? I paper pieced the first house but decided to hand piece the next house so that I could get the flower centered in the window. In the past, I've not been very good at making my own templates and its obvious that I'm still not very good at making my own templates. Back to the drawing board!

Anyone know of a good tutorial about making templates?

I'm also still plugging away at making hexagons for my version of Anna Ruggles hexagon quilt. See my previous post for a link to it. These hexagons should be enough to finish the round of rosettes I'm working on. It takes a surprising amount of time to stitch them together, especially using the method I'm trying to keep the stitches from showing. Will share that with you another time.

You may have noticed that I removed the brown background from my blog. I'm still looking for something I like to replace it so things may look different the next time you stop by. Not so sure I like the creamy swirls, just a little too yellow for me. Not that there's anything wrong with yellow, its just not "me". The question is, "What is me?"