Just wanting to pop in to post a picture of how my Madeline looks now…
6 of the blocks done and 3 to go. I have those 3 started…so I’m really crossing my fingers that I’ll get to work on it this afternoon.
In other news, this weekend was quite the productive one. I sat around my house all day Friday and EARLY Saturday morning(and by early I mean 2:30 am early) looking around at the mess.
You know the mess I’m talking about.
The stuff that looks like this
and this
not DIRTY…just stuff EVERYWHERE!!!
So I set out to cleaning…and it looks a bit better.
I cleaned out my front coat closet…which literally had things in there that hadn’t moved since I shoved them in there the day we moved in. TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO!!! Now I have a clean and organized space in there with room for my parents to hang their clothes when they come to visit, and also opened up tons of room for more sewing storage for me.
My husband went through the baby’s closet and dresser, and consequently we have tons of clothes ready to donate to a local woman’s shelter. HUGE tax deduction and really makes me happy to know that these clothes are going to a good purpose.
I also went sewing machine shopping with my friend Tanya. (We are working on her blog status…no pressure, T!) We drove across town, LITERALLY, to go look at some different machines and to be able to “test drive” them side by side. I have my choices narrowed down to a Janome 6600 (photo from www.janome.com)
or a Bernina aurora 440QE (photo from www.berninausa.com)
I “think” that I know which one I want. But I’d love to hear from you out there. Anyone have any ideas or insight? I’m less concerned about the cost (because I’m willing to spend the money if it’s what I need…) and more concerned about function and reliability.
So, there you have it…my weekend wrap-up. Oh, and I do want to thank all of you who comment on this blog. I love reading them everyday and it makes me so happy to respond to your comments. I love seeing the new visitors as well as the regulars! Thank you for visiting here, and I hope that you continue to come back.
16 comments:
Lovely progress on those quilt blocks - the colors are wonderful.
Sounds like you had a busy and productive weekend!
Great progress on your quilt blocks! Your pictures of your house resemble mine after taking the decorations down yesterday. Only mine is way worse!
Can't help you on the sewing machine decision. When I used to quilt I always used my Singer Featherweight. Good luck on making a decision!
Your quilt blocks are beautiful. That fabric is just so gorgeous. And your house resembles mine after a weekend of everyone being home. And don't feel bad about going through things since your move, I just got down and went through boxes stored in our basement from our move 4-1/2 years ago. I'm glad I finally got down there - I found a ton of quilting projects!
I own both a Bernina and a New Home (which I think is also Janome). It's really a toss up - they're both great machines. I use my Janome more for quilting than I do the Bernina and it's the Artista quilting addition.
You left me a comment regarding the machine I use to quilt. I see you are serious about being in the market for a new machine! I go back and forth between 2. I have the Baby lock Quilter's Choice Professional. It's a straight stitch only machine and has a wide opening and a thread cutter which is great for machine quilting. I also have the Bernina 440 QE. Nothing sews like a Bernina in my book and this has the stitch regulator. I use it for motifs where the stitching will really show because I get a perfect stitch length. I like having the 2 machines because I can set one up for machine quilting a project and go back and forth between quilting and piecing without rethreading. Good luck on your search!
I love the Madeline blocks, that fabric is so pretty. I finished my top and basted it this weekend so I need to quilt it now.
Good luck choosing a machine, I don't have either brand, but have heard good things about both! Just make sure it has all of the features you want and can't live without :)
I just bought a Bernina, not the model you are looking at, but the 820. I went in to buy the 440 EQ and it sewed like a dream, but in the end I wanted the bigger throat space. Don't know anything about the other machine...now I am off to clean out MY hall closet!
That quilt is going to be absolutely gorgeous! Good progress on your blocks. If your house is anything like mine, all it takes is for one thing to land on the kitchen counter and then it multiplies and grows.
I would be of no help on the sewing machine selection. I don't know enough about them, but hopefully someone knowledgeable will give you some feedback. They both look like great machines with lots of bells and whistles. :)
Have a great week!
I have been the owner of a Janome for exactly 8 weeks. Love it. Wouldn't trade it for the moon. Mine isn't a jazzed out one like you show, but it is a very nice functional wonderful machine. The best I've ever owned. Mine is a Janome Magnolia 7660 (I think the number is that...it IS a magnolia). Walking foot works like a DREAM...
Way to get organized! I look at the mess, and head off to sew (giggle)! I have a Janome 6500, and I LOVE IT! ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! Her name is "Gracie" and I wouldn't trade her for anything else! I love the automatic thread cutter button, and also the top loading bobbin so I see when I run out of thread! Hope this is helpful!
I LOVE your Schnibbles. The French General fabric is just beautiful. I think either machine would be a good choice, as they are both good quilting machines. I own a Bernina Virtuosa 155 and I LOVE it. It has decorative stitches but no stitch regulator. I always dreamed of owning a Bernina and my dear hubby surprised me with it for Christmas 6 years ago ;-)
Bernina, definitely Bernina. I know both machine brands well as I swore I'd never own anything but a Janome. Until I sewed on a Bernina. You know the rest of the story. I have the 400 and love it!
Oops - typo. I have the 440QE.
Your quilt is looking lovely.
This is how my house looks everyday! No matter how much I tidy up, it never seems to get any better. Throw in some renovations and the place looks like someone has tossed the house during a robbery.
I have a Bernina sewing machine and I am really happy with it.
I don't know anything about the Bernina (other than they have an excellent reputation) but I have the Janome 6600P and I love it!!
You've got to go with the Bernina QE 440, I've had mine for 4 years and love it!
I have had both machines and just wasn't happy with the Janome. I went to the Bernina after that and couldn't be happier.
Cathy
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