Sunday, December 11, 2011

FMQ Pfaff in place...

Pfaff in working mode - I decided to make a pattern and make a tree skirt for our small white tree. Although I thought I had fabric, of course I had nothing really perfect, so off we went to Joann's. Finding a holiday patterned fabric in red and white was perfect, as the decorations are also red and white, plus some gold silver, we got a yard and came on home. I grabbed the large roll of pattern paper, and my trusty long quilting ruler, as well as my design ruler with the nicely curved side. I measured the diameter of the circle I would need, added a tidbit for seaming and then drew right angled diameter lines around the starting line until my perfect circle could be completed using the design ruler. Then I cut the two pieces of fabric - turned out the fabric wasn't quite wide enough so I used a side piece to piece two wedges to complete the circle at the back of the tree skirt. I cut my batting. Then I placed my batting on the wrong side of one piece of the fabric (after sewing the pieced pieces on) and then placed the fabric, right sides together and sewed all around the edge, except for one side of the very back. Then I turned it right side out, smoothed it out, smoothing the batting as well, folded it in fourths to cut a perfect middle hole, and pressed it. Pressed the raw edges into the inside at the open back, and after pressing was ready to FMQ this. The quilting works also to close that back opening, so no other sewing needed there. The quilting went very well, if one doesn't use a microscope to examine my very beginning skill. The process was fun from beginning to end!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Free Motion Quilting (3)...the Sew Steady and the threads...

The table came! I ordered from Nancy's Notions on the 5th of November and got the table on the 2d of December. I call that excellent on the part of both Nancy's and Sew Steady Tables. I am pleased. This is the first accessory I have purchased for my Pfaff in all these years. She loves it. I decided to leave on the little leg holder thingies. The table might break if I get rough trying to take off those, and there is a warning against it in the information accompanying the table. SO, yes, I wilted right away and left them. There isn't much problem doing that as the thing now sits only about half an inch up off the Arrow table, so we are good to go. Meanwhile, I have ordered three times from Superior Threads. You almost get your order before you hit the final BUY button - those folks are that fast. I love it. Of course now I have to get on the stick and practice, practice, practice. But now I have these lovely threads to practice with. I bought the Try Me Specials, including a few bobbins pre-wound. I hope they work in the Pfaff [LATER NOTE: They do NOT fit the Pfaff 1222E because the bobbin pin is too large and the bobbins will not turn]. SO adventures are looming. Meanwhile still working on that blue print summer shirt. Maybe by Summer 2012?