Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!! Our January meeting is only a few days away now - January 15th. It's a little early this month. I hope we will see you there. Have you been sewing lately? Now that winter is really here with its cold days and colder nights, I bet many of us are "hibernating" in our sewing areas... Bring along your Show and Tell to share with us. Don't forget to measure the perimeter of each piece for the Stitch Across Canada Challenge.
Speaking of challenges, have you started your Guild Challenge yet? Remember we've all been challenged to do something that's "out of the box" - in other words, out of our comfort zone... I have mine planned, but not yet started...
Many quilters start the New Year off with a tidying/sorting/cleaning of their sewing area. I came across a really interesting blog post the other day and thought you might like to see it too. It's from the Blog Sew Many Ways... She has a very well organized sewing and crafting room and I bet you will find more than a few ideas here you would like to try... Click here to read her blog post.  There are lots of photos and many great ideas! I bet you'll try at least one ...
See you Tuesday the 15th.

Sewing Space Savvy - Looking for a new Machine?

One of the questions I am asked most often when I teach classes is "I want a new sewing machine- what should I buy? What features should I look for?" We are so lucky today to have so many wonderful machines to choose from. However because of the variety of choices, many buyers become confused and overwhelmed.
Purchasing a new machine is a big step. Your first decision will have to be how much you are willing to pay. Once you have decided that, then it's a good idea to make a list of 1. your sewing needs and 2. other features which you would like to have. Your "sewing needs" refers to the type of sewing you do most often ( ie making clothing vs. making quilts). Consider which features will serve you best.
Clothing: stretch stitch, multiple zigzag, friendly zipper foot, good buttonholes, freearm for sleeves, blind hemstitch.
Machine Quilting: machine bed size (distance between needle and vertical body housing to handle bulk of quilt), handles monofilament and other specialty threads, available walking foot and 1/4" foot for piecing, feed dogs that drop, single hole throat plate available, knee lift.
Machine Applique: adjustable satin stitch, blanket stitch, variable needle positions, open-toed foot available.
Of course there are some basic features which any quilter will want:
- 1/4" foot - it's proper use will guarantee an accurate 1/4" seam allowance
- horizontal AND vertical spool pin options- really great to have both
- straight stitch and zigzag - straight stitch for piecing, topstitching and quilting. Zigzag either open or closed (satin stitch) is for machine applique.
- needle up/needle down function - this gives you the option of stopping with the needle down in the fabric, leaving your hands free. It's a great feature.
- feed dogs that drop - for free motion quilting (stippling, thread painting, etc.)
- machine bed size - the distance between your needle and the vertical housing - the greater it is, the more room you have to maneuver the bulk of your quilt when machine quilting
- walking foot (also called even feed foot) This foot is a must for machine quilting, allowing all 3 layers of the quilt to feed through machine evenly with no tucks on the back.
- darning foot - this foot is needed if you want to try stippling and free motion work
- sensitive foot control - you should be able to sew slowly at a uniform speed. Some machines have a speed control, allowing you to reduce the speed to half the normal.
There are many other features available- talk to your friends and fellow Guild members to see what they like best about their machines.
Always "test drive" a machine you are considering. Try out it's features. See how easily the feet are changed. Does it have good tension? Can you access the bobbin easily? Is the machine quiet?
Is it heavy? Does it have a comfortable carrying handle? Does the machine respond immediately to reverse stitching or changing the stitch length? Is there storage for tools and accessories? Are there good quality accessories (feet) made specifically for this brand? Does it have a good light? Does it have adjustable needle positions? Of course there are always "more" features which would be nice, such as a signal when the bobbin is running low, needle threader, large library of stitches, extension table, and so on.
One of the MOST important considerations is the dealer. The dealer should be well versed and be able to answer all your questions. He/She should provide a reasonable warranty and offer service, repair and accessories on the premises. Instructional classes are a wonderful bonus. Ask around among your friends and sewing acquaintances and fellow Guild members concerning the dealer's reputation, as you will want to know that he/she is someone you will trust and be comfortable with.
The purchase of a quality machine is an investment - don't be rushed into a purchase by special offers, pressure from the dealer or an impatient companion. If you are looking for a basic machine, consider that after you have reached a certain level of expertise, you will want some extra features so you can experiment with new techniques and stitches. Consider your goals as a quilter and purchase a machine that will allow you to grow. And don't fear computer technology! It's here to stay. Don't be intimidated by computerized machines- just read the instruction manual and play until you understand how it works! You will soon come to love the computerized features.
We get such enjoyment from using our machines for this wonderful hobby. If you are constantly having frustrating problems with an old machine, perhaps it's time to treat yourself to an upgrade!

Sewing Space Savvy - the Design Wall

Do you have a design wall? No? I bet you would like to have one... In this first post in our series "Sewing Space Savvy" we will give you some ideas about the importance of having a design wall, and how easy it is to make one for yourself.

Why have a design wall, you ask? There are several good reasons. First off, it allows you to stand some distance back to get an overall view of your piece in progress. Keeping visual track of how a quilt is progressing often helps to keep us engaged and enthused. A vertical view is a huge improvement from working on a table, bed or the floor, and puts a whole new perspective on the progress of your work, saving you from obvious and subtle missteps. Problem areas with regards to color or value choices become glaringly obvious, and a block turned the wrong way jumps out at you.
A design wall also is helpful when auditioning fabrics- those which will be used within the quilt as well as border choices.
A third advantage is that it allows you to play with design or pattern layouts. The photos you see here are the same set of purple blocks, laid out six different ways on a design wall. Thanks to Sandi M. for the use of these photos. Sandi was not that pleased with the pattern's layout suggestion for the blocks, so she came up with five other options, by playing with layouts on her design wall. (FYI, the first photo, above left, is what the pattern suggested, the actual quilt she made used the last layout, bottom right. Which one do you like best?)
Are you convinced yet? Everyone should have a design wall! Once you have one, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it! I can hear some of you thinking - But I don't have a "free" wall. If that is the case, you can have a "temporary" design wall - it does not have to take up permanent wall space. There are many options for this, using some sort of "fuzzy" fabric that blocks and patches will "cling" to, or a material that will accept pins so that heavier WIPs (works in progress) can be pinned to it, or a combination of both. The least expensive choice will likely be flannel (available with or without a grid). Other choices are fleece interfacing, needlepunched batting and felt. A flannel sheet or a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth can be an easy solution. Since flannel sheets are hemmed at both ends, rods can be slipped through at both ends and your design surface can then be hung from cup hooks in a ceiling or over a closet with bi-fold doors. Grommets could be added to the top of a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth, a length of dowel attached to the bottom so it will hang flat, and this too could be hung from cup hooks. Both of these ideas allow for rolling up with blocks in place, when you need to use the space or closet.
Here are several other ideas for temporary or free-standing design systems. 1. Purchase a roller shade which allows you to fuse your own fabric to the shade. Apply flannel, and mount on a wall, over a window or closet, or in front of shelves. It can be quickly rolled up when not in use. 2. Mount a curtain rod at the top edge of a door frame. The rod can be slid through the hem of a flannel sheet, or if your space is narrow, just hem one end of the appropriate width of flannel. The flannel is easily removed and the rod is not in your way when not it use. 3. Purchase a folding screen and cover with flannel - this can be folded up and put away when not in use.
4. Cover one side of a 4x8 sheet of styrofoam (at least 1" thick) with flannel and lean against a wall or the back of your sewing room door. This can be stored under a bed when not is use. 5. Two inexpensive bookshelves can be placed side by side, perpendicular to a wall and their backs covered with flannel. This combines a design space with storage too! 6. A very temporary quick and easy solution is simply throwing a flannel sheet over the drapery rod in your living room. No doubt there are other good temporary solutions- if you have another idea that has worked for you, let us know and we will add it here.
If you have a wall area that you can dedicate to a permanent design space, probably the least expensive solution is two 4x8 sheets of 2" thick styrofoam. Screw the panels side by side to your wall with washers behind the screws to prevent them sinking into the styrofoam. Then cover with your fabric of choice and pin to the edges, trimming off any excess fabric. If you don't have an 8 foot space, cut down the styrofoam to fit your available space. It's as simple as that!
Hopefully we have given you some food for thought here.. there is no reason why everyone cannot have at least a small design wall - whether permanent or temporary. If you would like additional info about creating design walls and sewing spaces I recommend Dream Sewing Spaces: Design and Organization for Spaces Large and Small by Lynette Ranney Black, Palmer/Pletsch Publishing or Setting Up Your Sewing Space: From Small Areas to Complete Workshops by Myrna Geisbrecht, Sterling Publishing Co.

EDIT - Sept. 22/10
I just received the latest Quilters Newsletter magazine, and there under "Staff Picks" (latest things on the market) is a new option for a "Vanishing" Design Wall. Basically, it is a 60" wide, 5 1/2" deep shelf which can be mounted over a window or closet door. When you are ready to work, you pull down a 54 1/2" by 70" retractable vinyl-backed flannel wall (like pulling down a blind), and when it's clean up time you can leave your work in place and roll the flannel back up into the shelf. How sweet is that? You can see a photo on page 51 of the Oct./Nov. issue of Quilters Newsletter or visit www.vanishingdesignwall.com