Telecast Thursday - Singer 15-91 Sewing Machine - The Final One

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday. Today I'll be talking about my latest vintage sewing machine, the 15-91. This is another machine that came from Edmonton and was a great deal. I was hoping that this machine would be good for free motion quilting and is it ever! Got to love that large throat space on this machine!

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

This is the last vintage machine I'll be adding to my stable - for now. I'm still on the hunt for a Singer 66 Red Eye sewing machine, so if you have one and want to sell it, just let me know. I hope it's closer than Edmonton :)

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301a Sewing Machine - Part 3

Hi everyone:

It's Telecast Thursday and time for the final episode on my Singer 301a sewing machine. This week I'll show you how I restored the cabinet for this machine which had been left out in the rain before I rescued it. 

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

You'll find Restor-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax at Howard Products. Just follow the instructions in their helpful videos to restore colour and lustre to your antique wood furniture - or sewing machine cabinets, in my case. 

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301a Sewing Machine - Part 2

Hi everyone:


Welcome to Telecast Thursday! Today I'll be continuing my series on my Singer 301a sewing machine. In part 2 you'll learn how I resurrected this machine and if it ran when I plugged it in. 

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel. 

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Archaic Arcane's Youtube channel has videos showing step-by-step instructions on reassembling the upper thread tension assembly on a vintage Singer sewing machine. I found the tension assembly on Bonanza.

Join me next week for the final episode on this 3-part series on my Singer 301a sewing machine to find out more about its restoration.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301a Sewing Machine - Part 1

Hi everyone:

It's Thursday already and another video on the series on vintage Singer sewing machines  is ready for you to watch. This week I'm starting a 3-part series on my Singer 301a sewing machine. If you've been following this video series, you'll know that I already have a Singer 301 sewing machine, but you'll want to watch to see how this new acquisition differs from my other machine. 

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Check back next week for part 2 of this 3-part series to see how I resurrected this machine and if it actually ran when I plugged it in.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - New Year, New Vintage Sewing Machine Video

Hi everyone:

Happy New Year and welcome to 2015! The first video this year is about my Singer 401J sewing machine. I know this one isn't as pretty as my previous purchases, but it has a secret - it has extra features that allow it to do more than my previous machines. I was glad to add this machine to my stable even if she isn't a beauty because her extra features more than make up for her plain looks. 

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you'll can find them here.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on the video itself to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe. 

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - Singer 301 Sewing Machine

Hi everyone:

I hope you enjoyed last week's look at some of the vintage sewing machine stools that I have in my collection. It's a good thing that Teeka and Charlie approve of them or I suppose I'd be looking for some other ones that fit their strict standards!

This week I'll be showing you one of my estate sale finds. Yes, I also find sewing machines there occasionally. This machine is a bit different from my previous ones as it has a more industrial look to it, but the cabinet and the condition of the machine are immaculate! I can't believe I almost passed this one up.

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you can find them here. 

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on any video to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - New Videos in Kim's Vintage Sewing Machines series

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday! This week I'm sharing a very technical vintage sewing machine video with you. I actually had to bring in some experts for this one!

You can view this video below or on my Youtube channel. 

I'd love to know if you have "help" in choosing your sewing machines and accessories.

If you haven't seen the other episodes in this series, you can find them here. 

Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are released. You can also click on the Chatterbox Quilts logo in the upper right corner on any video to go to my Youtube channel and subscribe.

Happy quilting!

Telecast Thursday - And Now for Something a Little Bigger

Hi everyone:

Welcome to Telecast Thursday. Can you believe that we're already halfway through September? Even though we're not at the end of the month yet, we are at the end of this playlist - for now. I intend to add more videos to this playlist in the future with information and practical advice about the Singer Featherweight sewing machines as well as details about my latest addition to my Singer collection. Yes, I have added another machine to the group, but I'm not telling you any more about it right now. And no, I don't have a problem with this obsession!

In this final (for now) video in this series, I'll show you another vintage Singer machine, but this one is a little different. I did promise you something bigger this week, didn't I? 
I acquired this machine and its table for the same amount of money that it would've sold brand-new. Not too bad a deal I don't think with the 50+ year gap in purchase date.

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted.

Do you own a Singer 99-13? I'd love to hear about your vintage sewing machine obsession in the comments below.

Telecast Thursday - All About Accessories

Hi everyone:

This Thursday I'll be continuing my series on vintage sewing machines. In this video I'll be examining the myriad accessories that come with the Singer Featherweight sewing machines. They may look strange, but they can do lots of practical things - just watch out for that ruffler!

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted.

Just a hint about next week's video - it'll be a little bigger.

Telecast Thursday - More Vintage Sewing Machines

Hi everyone:

I'm so glad it's Telecast Thursday! This week I've added another video to my new playlist, "Vintage Sewing Machines". 

You've already heard about my first vintage Singer sewing machine. This week you'll learn more about how I acquired the next machine in my collection - and what has become a new obsession for me. I just can't seem to resist these little sewing beauties!

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted.

Do you own a Singer Featherweight sewing machine? If so, let me know its story in the comments below. 

Telecast Thursday Brings a New Playlist

Hi everyone:

It's Thursday again and you know what that means: Telecast Thursday and it's the last one for August 2014! 

This week I have some exciting news: a new series on my Youtube channel. You'll find a new playlist called "Vintage Sewing Machines" and today you'll be able to view the first video in this playlist.
I have several vintage Singer sewing machines and I thought it was about time that I shared their loveliness with my subscribers (that's you!). 
 

E.B., my first Featherweight acquisition

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. 

In this first video, you'll find out how I acquired my first vintage machine - or as my husband refers to it "how another obsession started". You can view the video below and find it on my Youtube channel. 

I have several playlists on my Youtube channel, so be sure to check them out.

Are you obsessed with vintage sewing machines as I am? Let me know about your vintage treasures in the comment below.

Telecast Thursday - Janome Sewing Machine Operation

It's Telecast Thursday! This week is the conclusion of my videos on my Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 QCP sewing machine, at least for now. Maybe I'll have more videos once I have spent some more time with it and discovered more of its awesome abilities.

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. In addition to these videos on my latest sewing machine, there are many videos on quilting tutorials and tips.

This week I'm exploring the operation of my Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 QCP sewing machine and show you some of the helpful features on this machine. You can watch the video on my Youtube channel or below.

Subscribe to receive automatic notifications when new videos are available on my Youtube channel.

Telecast Thursday: Janome Sewing Machine Features

Hi everyone:

It's Telecast Thursday, the best day of the week! I hope you're ready for a new video, where I'll be giving you more information about my Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 QCP sewing machine.

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. There are tutorials and tips and you have the opportunity to see what I'm currently working on - or buying.

This week I'm exploring the features of my Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 QCP sewing machine and discuss the ones that I find especially helpful. You can watch the video on my Youtube channel or below.

Subscribe to receive automatic notifications when new videos are available on my Youtube channel.

Telecast Thursday: Janome Sewing Machine

Hi everyone:

It's Telecast Thursday, the best day of the week! This week's video is about the attraction of the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 QCP sewing machine and my inability to resist it. Yes, the Janome is the latest addition to my sewing machine stable and I'm really enjoying it.

If you haven't already subscribed to my Youtube channel, be sure to do so to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted. There are many videos on quilting tips and tutorials and you also have the opportunity to see my latest bright shiny object (what's caught my eye that week).

You can watch this week's video on my Youtube channel or below.

 Subscribe to receive automatic notifications when new videos are available on my Youtube channel.

Free Motion Quilting Bliss

Hi everyone:

Since I've added the Janome Horizon 8900 QCP to my sewing machine stable, I've been working on improving my free-motion quilting skills and really feeling good about the results. I'm finally getting into the rhythm and achieving the results I've been striving for. So satisfying! The additional features on the Janome, such as the speed control and start/stop button certainly help me with my free motion quilting. I can set the speed for the rhythm I like and then I only have to worry about coordinating my hands to that rhythm. 

My Janome Horizon 8900 QCP snug in her cabinet

 Of course practise makes perfect and I've been practising on the Scattered Squares quilt from the Inspired Modern Quilts by Elizabeth Hartman on Craftsy. This project is composed of 100 - 4" squares, so lots of opportunities to practise quilt motifs. Following the advice in Design it, Quilt it by Cindy Needham, I stitched in the ditch through the entire project - or ESS - every stinking seam - as Cindy calls it! This really helps to stabilize the quilt and then you can do the rest of your quilting without pins and not have to worry about the layers shifting. 

I decided to try a different motif, not in each square (yikes, there are 100 of them!), but in each of the 5 different fabrics in the quilt. That seemed more manageable and would allow me to get in some good practise for each motif. The only thing left to decide was what motifs I wanted to practise!

Scattered Squares with various quilt motifs

I decided to try some feathers, again from Cindy Needham's class, as well as some wavy line and pebbles from Machine Quilting Negative Space by Angela Walters. I also tried some squares and swirls from Angela's class. 

I used The Bottom Line from Superior Threads in both the top and bobbin so you would see the texture, rather than the thread. 

After I felt that I was familiar with these quilting designs, I decided to quilt some wall hangings that have been waiting to be quilted for some time (years). I used pebbles in the background on both of these quilts. I was pleased with the results.

Wall hanging #1 all done!

Floral wall hanging finally quilted

The Scattered Squares quilt is partially completed and I use it for a warm up before I do any free motion quilting on a larger project. It's always a good idea to take some time to warm up before tackling the "real" project - just like you would do before exercising. It doesn't take long - ten minutes or so - and you'll find that you'll really notice an improvement in your quilting.

Scattered Squares with lots of squares completed

Do you practice before you start quilting your projects? What tips do you have for improving your free motion quilting skills?

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.

The Best Sewing Machine - for you

Hi everyone:

I was visiting my LQS to pick up some accessories for my Bernina and was talking to the owner. She told me that she took exception to my comment in one of my videos that you didn't need a "fancy" machine with "all the bells and whistles" to quilt. 

After some discussion I realized that she had a different slant on the "which machine should I buy" question than I did and as a sewing machine vendor, she had some interesting comments.

She advises her customers to "spend until it almost hurts": buy the best machine you can afford or you may soon outgrow it. Know what you want to do with your machine now and consider what you may want to do with it in the future. 

If machine embroidery looks appealing to you, but you're not quite there yet, consider purchasing a machine that has the ability to add an embroidery module to it. If you don't want to purchase the embroidery module now, you can buy that component in the future without having to purchase a new machine. 

Bernina 830
Photo courtesy of Bernina.com

There's nothing more disappointing than to be on the hunt for a new machine six months after you had just purchased a new one. Think long term, rather than just your current needs.

Thinking of trading in your old machine for a new one? Might want to think again about this one. Always handy to have an extra machine in the house in case you have a problem with yours and it is in the shop for servicing. Can also set one machine up for piecing and another for machine embroidery or for quilting. May want to pass this machine on to a younger quilter just starting out or to a daughter or daughter-in-law. You probably won't get much on a trade-in so it's really more valuable to you. Think of it like an older vehicle that has low mileage: it's worth more to you than you would get for it if you sold it.

Janome 8900 QCP
Photo courtesy of Janome.com

Do your homework. Shop around and look at various models and what they have to offer. If machines have similar features and the price points are comparable, consider after-sales service. Sure, you can save some money up front, but are you buying from a reputable dealer? Someone who is able to service the machine after purchase and will help you should you have any warranty issues or after-warranty issues? Does the vendor offer classes for new owners? You'll definitely want to take advantage of these to get the most out of your machine. After purchase service is invaluable and should also be a consideration when purchasing a sewing machine.

I also think that there is a difference between "want" and "need". You "need" certain features to quilt efficiently, but there may be other options that you "want". If you've got the $$$, go for the "want" machine. You won't regret it. 

I believe that you don't have to buy the top of the line machine when you're first entering the world of quilting, but… don't buy the cheapest model either. Remember, you get what you pay for, so if you don't pay much for a machine, you probably aren't getting a machine that you'll be happy with for quilting. Have a list of features you definitely want and consider what else may be on various machines. Quilting is different than sewing a garment and you need a machine that will be able to stand up under the repetitive stitching that is quilting. Buy a machine that you can grow into, rather than one that will just work for you now. It's a big decision, so take time to consider the machines you've looked at and make sure you try them out. Go back to the store and look at the machines again. Ask about the after purchase service available and make sure you're comfortable with those answers. Check reviews on-line and ask your friends what type of machine they have and why they like - or don't like - it. Educate yourself and consider your options before making the big decision.

I stick to my statement that "the best machine for you is one that has the features you need and fits within your budget". After all, you'll want to make sure there is some money left to buy fabric to use in that new machine!