New Toys in the ...

Hi everyone:

Okay, get your mind out of the gutter! I have some new toys in my quilt studio (not some other room in the house!). 

I was fortunate enough (after ordering it myself) to get a new Brother Scan N Cut for Christmas. It was actually in the house before Christmas, but hubby wrapped it up and under the tree it went, where it sat until Christmas morning when I could finally unwrap it. 

Photo courtesy of brother-usa

Then I had to read the manual to learn about it. Now I'm working on transferring my pattern files to the appropriate file format so the Scan N Cut can read it and cut out my appliqué designs for me. I have cut out some of the pre-loaded designs and it worked great! I'm looking forward to using it for printing out appliqué shapes that are difficult to cut out crisply by hand, such as circles. I'll keep you posted on my progress. 

Then, just a week ago, I sold my mid-arm frame, Juki sewing machine and Quilter's Cruise Control package, so definitely needed to replace my Juki (no longer any room for a long-arm, mid-arm or small-arm frame in my renovated studio). 

Bye, bye B-Line frame and Juki

I was going to purchase the newer model of this machine, but thought that maybe I should investigate what features were available on new machines that I might not currently have on my Bernina Virtuosa 153QE (yes, I have more than one sewing machine). I was looking for a large throat space for quilting, good lighting, start/stop button, speed control and a few other features. A machine that fit into my budget would also be good!

After much research on-line, I decided to look at the Janome Horizon 8900 QCP, which just happened to be on sale. Wow! Sewing machines have certainly changed in the past few years! After spending some time at my local Janome dealer, putting this machine through its paces, I decided to get it. And came home with it the same day! 

It's "Teeka approved"

Besides an excellent price, I also received a promotional package of Iris 50 wt. cotton thread and a rolling tote for the machine. 

Nice to receive thread with the new sewing machine

A free box of bobbins and I was on my way home. 

Pretty blue bobbins - they come in pink too

I've already quilted with it and have done some piecing as well. I love the start/stop button and the speed control - it makes such a difference when I'm quilting. 

While I was reluctant to let the Juki go (I feel so disloyal), I am really enjoying my new Janome. 

At home in the sewing cabinet

Look forward to more information about the Janome as I learn about its her other features.