Craving routine

 

Well, I wouldn't call this the most artful finished project shot, but considering I took it in the wee hours of the morning in those few minutes between springing it from its blocking pins and wrapping it to deliver to the post office, it's not bad.  This is That Little Scarf that I was knitting on right before Christmas, a wonderful, lightweight  little piece that I plan to knit up one of these days for myself.  Looking at it here, it seems like I knitted it months ago, yet it's only been a few weeks.  It's always amazing to me how much we look forward to the holidays, yet when they are over, we are DONE with them.  At least, I am.  After I took down the tree last week, I removed the overtly Christmasy items but left a bit of seasonal decor here and there.  Today?  Gone. Enough. Moving on.

When I ran into my sewing room for something on Sunday, I couldn't resist just flipping the switch on my machine onto test the connection.  It was fine.  I know however that this is going to be an ongoing problem so I've decided to start researching new ones.  I've been wanting something with a longer bed and am focusing on three models at this point, the Janome 6500, the Janome 6600 and the Pfaff Grand Quilter.  Do any of you have experience, good or bad, with any of these machines?  (Edited to add: Or are there others you'd highly recommend?)  I have been wanting to develop my machine quilting skills and finish up some of the tops I've made that aren't destined for handquilting.  A new machine might get me moving on those.  Though not necessarily.  Would I need to read through an instruction manual?

Look at what was under the tree for me on Christmas.  After K described my Thanksgiving photos as *lackluster* (!!!?) and Molly mocked me for traveling around Japan with a small roll of duct tape in my camera bag (to secure the cracked latch on my camera if a battery change was necessary,) the kids put their money where their mouths were and surprised me with a new camera.  Then M shocked me with the iPod nano after I made a passing comment about its popularity, most definitely not a hint, but I did say something about me probably being the last person not to have an iPod.  So, granted, I have a thoughtful, generous family except for one thing.  No one's around to show me how to use them!  Waaa!  *Lazy ingrate*?  No, just slightly allergic to instruction manuals.  They make my eyes glaze over.  (Aside to Carolyn: maybe we need to have lunch again soon. Ha.) 

It's Molly's birthday today.  I wish she was here so I could give her a big birthday hug.  Better yet, I wish I was there!  I could get all sentimental and start with the *where does time go*...but I'll refrain.  Happy Birthday, Molly!

Comments

[Anina]

I love the scarf.
And how lucky were you on Christmas!

[Dotty]

My sister has the MC6500 and I've used it a few times for machine quilting. It's ok - nothing fancy. I have also used a friend's MC in a handi quilter quilting frame and it was much more useful in that type of a set-up. If I were buying a new machine for machine quilting, I'd definitely look into one with a stitch regulator. I free motion quilt on my little Kenmore which has a standard opening. The largest quilt I've done is a queen sized one for my nieces. BTW, you would definitely need to read the manual for the Janome machines - they can be tricky.

[Joanna]

I bought a Juki 98q last year - best thing I ever did. My MIL owned 2 (one for home and one for where she teaches quilting) and loved them, so when we moved to another state and I couldn't use hers I had to get my own! I first joined the Juki yahoogroup and they all had wonderful things to say about it. So far mine is performing perfectly, no problems at all. I would buy the same one again in a heartbeat! And since it only does straight stitch it's super simple - I seriously don't think you'd need to read the manual! Really! lol! Oh I also got mine on Ebay brand new from a dealer (he has a brick and mortar store) that does the make an offer thing. I made an offer, he countered and I got mine for around $650 if I remember right. A lot cheaper than anywhere else, plus it still has the full warranty. Have fun shopping around!! It's always exciting to get a new machine!

[Jay]

Sorry, can't give any advise regarding a new sewing machine. However, in regard to the iPod, just go to the Apple website and watch the tutorial videos (link is below). The iPod is super easy to use, and I'm sure you're going to love it. I don't know how I ever managed to get through a day before I had mine. Enjoy!

http://www.apple.com/itunes/tutorials/

[Wendy]

I have a Bernina I love,but it's 20 years old,still going stong & no problems.I have a Janome that my best friend left me, what a head ache, yes you need the manual for EVERYTHING!Love my Ipod, there are a few small books out on how to use them, and they are a lot more helpful than the manual or kids who don't help their Mother ( like mine!)Check Amazon under Ipod books. The Apple/Ipod web site has some great info, and Itunes is really easy. I have been putting my old record albums into Itunes as mp3 files, doable. I don't have to re-buy the older ones this way.I love mine, I have hours of books on tapes, I use it to watch podcast on sewing, knitting. It's really great. I want a newer one now, they have larger screens. Finally Happy Birthday to Molly, I'm sure you really miss her on the special day you share with her. After all you were there at the start!

[Chris]

Gorgeous scarf! Congrats on the new camera. :) And happy birthday to Molly!

[lori]

love the scarf,
no input on the sewing machine, and
when you figure out the ipod you can explain mine to me!

[Schnoobie]

GREAT SCARF!!!
No comment on the sewing machine(!), but you will enjoy your Ipod.....if you are as computer savvy as I think you are, you will be a natural!! ENJOY!!!!!!

[susan]

oh ohoh i love that scarf. really truly. sorry to hear about your machine... silly me, i thought that when you get a big ol machine like that they would last for - ever! oh man. so sorry to hear that! that has to be awful for you.
but your christmas pressies were very nice! yeah, i agree with schmmobie, the ipod is simple dimple for a computer whiz like yourself.... but the camera, ah the instruction manuals - heh - look for the white balance first, that's most important!
good luck and happy birthday to molly too! this was my first year away from daughter #1 and it was unthinkable.

[Ruth]

Happy birthday to Molly!! Some of my very favorite people were born January 7th. :)

Oh, and you aren't the absolute last person to own an iPod ... I'm still in the dark ages.

[kathy]

I took Christmas down on Saturday, a little late for me but I gave the door a good kick after I placed the last box in the closet ;)

I've now had my Janome 6600 over a year, it's a fabulous machine and a real value given all the functionality and features it comes with. You know what I do and I do it everyday, definitely a work horse machine. I researched for about 6 months before my purchase. Patternreview.com and yahoo groups are good resources for getting the scoop on any model.

I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have or go on longer about it!

[joyce]

I have a Pfaff Hobby Grand quilter and I love it. It's a bit hard to thread at first but goes very fast and accurate. It only does straight stitch but that's what you use for quilting anyway.I have it on an Inspira frame but I used it on the table at first to get used to it. There is a group online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PfaffHobbyGrandQuilter/ if you have questions. According to them, Pfaff, Janome and Viking are all basically the same. I have a stitch regulator but it only works when the machine is on the frame.

[sammyjo]

I love 'that little scarf' its a beauty good luck with findinga new machine and the new camara.

[africankelli]

Fabulous spoiling! You deserve it. I wish you and your great family the very best in the New Year! (including a new machine. I'm still loving my $100 Singer, for what it is worth.)

[Wanda]

I have the Babylock Professional Quilter which is very similar to the Juki98Q and the Pfaff Grand Quilter. I LOVE it. It comes with lots of feet (the Pfaff comes with 1) and I use it just on a table not on a frame. It has the most beautiful straight stitch, unlike our zig zag models. You can go to babylock.com website and see the features.

[KathieB]

I'm a Bernina girl through and through; would never consider anything else. I have a 12 year old 1530 and do all my machine quilting on it. It will quilt anything up to a queen-sized quilt. Love it! When I replace it, I'm seriously considering a high-end mechanical Bernina from the same line as mine--1020, 1030, 1031. Same stitch quality and same features that I love but no board to malfuction.

Woo hoo! Congrats on the new camera and iPod! I feel my way along on my iPod and fortunately tech help, in the form of my son, is close by.

[Dee]

I hear you! I am sooo happy to be back into a routine that the kids (and me) thrive on...and this is the first year I haven't been unhappy about taking down the decorations.

The scarf is beautiful also!
Dee
x

[Katie]

Hi - another Bernina gal here. I just got my second Bernina, the Aurora 440 Quilter's Edition - it comes with a patented BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) foot that ensures the same stitch length no matter how fast you move the fabric. It really works - definitely worth checking out if you are interested in machine quilting. Happy shopping!

[molly!]

Gee, thanks!

[Bele]

Another vote for the Janome 6600. I did some research and testing, too, before buying it, I have now had it for two years and would always buy it again. I highly recommend a simple, white table you can buy for it, so you will have a wonderful flat and even working space for bigger pieces. (Gosh, does anybody understand what I am talking about?? Sorry for my English... Just email me and I can send you a shot.)

Great scarf!

[Kate]

I have a Janome 4800 and LOVE it! it is very easy to use so I imagine other models would be too. I had to read the instruction manual but it was not complicated and a lot is common sense. It quilts really well and is just a joy to use. I don't know where you live but I bought mine online and had very good service here in UK. good luck finding one you like.

[Kate]

Though I have not used the Grand Quilter -- I do own a Pfaff machine (for quilting)and love it. Simply fantastic quality. I have owned Janome machines in the past, and have not been as impressed, although they certainly were adequate.

[amandajean]

happy birthday to your beautiful daughter!!!

I still don't own an ipod either.

now about the sewing machine....I also have a juki tl-98 q and I LOVE it. I would buy one again in a heartbeat. it is an industrial strength machine. it's a dream to sew on. good luck on your decision!

[Tricia]

I purchased the Janome 6600P in September and have never been happier with a machine! I have had Singers and Berninas prior to this. I did a lot of research before purchasing and was really planning to get a Bernina. I changed my mind when I went onto patternreview.com and looked through tons of reviews of all different machines. The Janome 6600 got no bad reviews! I have used it to make quilts, crafts, clothing-without one problem. Please email me if you have any more questions re this machine!
triciasagen@netscape.net

[Jan in Tally, FL]

The Bernina might run you a bit more unless you can catch a great sale but it will be worth it in the long run, fewer service calls and downtime. Did Singer and Kenmore when younger but I had a '78 Bernina Record Electronic for over 25 years, couldn't kill it AND I sold it for a bit more than 1/2 the original price. Bought the Brother 8500 w/embroidery unit, wish I hadn't, it's OK, but is fussier (a teeny hint of dust and you'll skip stitches), needs more cleaning and servicing (I sew a lot). Doesn't free motion as well, I'm a Bernina girl. Best of luck and oh yeah, buy from a local shop for the lessons and good service help.

[Lesa]

Strictly a Janome person myself. I don't feel you can go wrong with either one of them (I have the 6600 and it's my 3rd Janome). They're a workhorse and you don't have to read the manual -- the index is great and you can just find the page you need, read a few lines and then go on.

[Jaye]

I loved the Missing Manual series for my iPod. It really got me going and I could dip in and out at will. I bought one for the ipod, but found for a piece of software at the library.