Fabric Collecting and Classes

Good Morning Sewists. It has been a busy week in Sewtopia. I spent a little time unpacking the fabrics gathered during the Gettysburg trip and like them even more. I am gathering blues and neutrals right now. Not just because the "stash" is lacking in those colors but I am considering a string-type quilt in those colors. For me. 

I traveled to a couple shops and was pleasantly surprised to see a few fabric selections that were new to me. Though not my original intent, florals and paisleys caught my eye. I know, the plan was tiny print Civil War reproductions...what can I say?

This little bundle is more along that line. Darker background colors, tiny overall prints. They will blend well.

Some of these fabrics have a bit of a gray tint as well. Not much, just a bit. 

Last but not least is this cute little theme fabric. Not for a quilt but for a smock-like apron to use in the Studio. My aprons are getting pretty ratty again and need to be replaced. This is going to be the first one. 

• The last two weeks have been doosies! Busy, traveling, classes, and more. I have a plan to redo some storage issues in the Studio. Friends were showing me photo's of their work spaces. I have lots of work to do. My space is much smaller so I need to be really creative. Thanks Cheryl and Ruth Ann for giving me the push I need to address this long nagging issue. (like I need more to do)
• I have just completed a Baby Lock sponsored event with Missy Billingsly. Missy is known industry wide as a "sparkly" girl. That she is. Her focus for this event was bag making. I am not a bag maker so this afforded me a structured opportunity to explore the process. Day one focused on a small bag, zippered, made entirely "in-the-hoop" of the Baby Lock Destiny II sewing/embroidery machine. It was much like the projects presented by the Anita Good Design group. We were a bit crowded at the machine and the ladies who wanted to try out the machine were given the opportunity to do that. I can finish mine at home. The second day our little bag was made on the new Baby Lock Triumph serger. That one seemed more like my style of work. Using the cover stitch function and the wave stitch embellishment made a cute little bag. I will show it on a later post. 
• The Triumph is rather an Ovation with a boost. The primary change is the needle threading upgrade. It is accomplished with air, like the loopers. It was interesting but I have no problem threading my needles so a new machine,  for that single function is not reasonable. Now If I could set the cones in front of the machine and it would do it all, THEN we would have a winner!
• Moving the presser foot lift from the throat area to the right side made little difference to me. 

But this is a great machine. The Baby Lock Sergers are the best in the industry as far as I am concerned. I have had 4 other brands, this one is my favorite. If you request specifics based on my use and opinion please let me know. 

•  A blurry photo of a little wool place mat. I am not sure what happened except I moved my phone when I snapped the picture. I hope you get the idea. The backing is a piece of quilting fabric. Two pieces, sewn in a circle, right side together, turned right side out and pressed. The little wool ring has been blanket stitched to that after the embroidery and little stars were appliqued on to it. Cute.  About 10 inches in diameter.
• until next time.......................