Stash Busting - 9/27/2009

We've had a lot of things happening lately. Still trying to sell the house....

Earlier this year we joked that we didn't want to be selling the house, buying another house and buying a new car at the same time. A few weeks ago, R's car started really acting up. We took it to the mechanic and the clutch along with the transmission were bad. So we ended up getting a new car. R really wanted a blue car (he's always had a blue car) but since we wanted a 2009 model and they're hard to come by now, we ended up with a dark grey metallic. The paint has little flecks of metal in it that reflects the light around it. Its also fun to drive! ;-)

I also got a finish done this past week. The Sweet Dreams quilt for a co-worker was finished and its even washed already.

I've been also making progress on the Rainbow Skies quilt. Its about 1/3 to 1/2 quilted. Its been taking a while to mark it and then actually do the sewing. Plus, my cat, Ellie, has insisted on helping. ;-)

So onto the report.... Just a little bit bought this week so that I can test out my new toy. Nothing used as I've already counted binding for Sweet Dreams and the backing for Rainbow Skies.

Fabric Added this Week: 6.0 yards
Fabric Added YTD: 115.5 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 35 yards

Net Fabric: <80.5> yards

New Quilting Toy

I'm so excited...I'm getting a new toy this weekend. :-) I've been toying with the idea of getting a frame for my Bernina sewing machine so that I could do machine quilting a bit easier. I researched the frames a bunch and found a frame I liked, but then after reading some other things about machine quilting realized that at most I'd only be able to quilt a maximum path of 4" using my Bernina. :-( Sigh.

So I happened to go onto Craig's List for my area and found someone selling a lightly used Husqvarna MegaQuilter. This other quilter was upgrading her machine quilting system and decided to sell her old one. While the MegaQuilter doesn't have a HUGE amount of throat space, it is 9"x6" so its almost double what mine is on the Bernina. It also comes with the Inspira frame that can be setup in either a 5' length or a 10' length. Here's some pictures from the Craig's list posting....

So on Saturday morning, the woman is coming over to drop it off. She was very kind in driving over to our place as she has a van to transport the frame and machine in while I only have a small car. We were pretty confident that it would fit in the car, but just in case it was easier for her to drive over since its not too far (about 10 miles). I know what I'll be doing over the next few weeks...Playing!! ;-)

I also signed up for a class at a local quilt shop that teaches you how to use their MegaQuilter. I think its the same frame even. So for $25 I get a 3 hour class up there on how to use the machine, set it up and actually use the machine. It will definitely be good to use their machine to learn the really basic stuff and then use mine to get better at my quilting and to get some quilts quitlted.

Stash Busting - 9/13/2009

Once again...its been a while since I posted. I really am getting some sewing done though! ;-) I just haven't posted about it since everything else in life has been super busy.

I don't have pictures right now, but I did get the binding put onto the Sweet Dreams quilt that I posted about here. I also finished all the quilting on the Stars & Hearts quilt that I posted here. Finally, I started quilting the Rainbow Skies quilt. Its only about 1/16th quilted at this point as it takes me a while to mark the pattern and then take it over to my little sewing machine and start sewing. I have my eye on a used Viking MegaQuilter on Craig's list that I might purchase. It might make the quilting go a little faster, but I'm not convinced I want to spend the money on it yet or if its worth it.

Anyway...for the report!! Nothing bought...lots used (at least lots for me)!

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added YTD: 109.5 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 6.5 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 35 yards

Net Fabric: <74.5> yards