Monday, January 31, 2011

New Furniture

Back in December, while I was working on my table runner, I decided that I was no longer happy with my sewing table. It was a 6’ long folding table that my sewing machine sat on. The surface of the sewing machine where the needle was located was a good 3-4 inches above the table. This made sewing a bit difficult since my hands kept going up with the fabric as I was sewing.

So, off I went to Rocky Mountain Sewing and Vacuum to look for a new sewing table. They had two models to choose from, and I went with the Horn. It is awesome – the machine now sits flat with the surface of the table. The machine can be lowered completely below the surface of the table, or I can raise it to sit on top of the table. When the machine is completely lowered, I can fill in the hole with a supplied board to make a great surface to work on. The table has a surface that flips up to double the depth – it’s awesome for larger projects.

The table also comes with a rolling unit with drawers. The drawers are shallow so that items don’t get lost easily. The unit can be rolled out from under the table to provide another surface – and we all need more surfaces to put our projects on, right?

Not long after I brought home my new table, I decided that I needed a new sewing chair. I had been using a regular task chair that didn’t provide good back support. I found a new chair at Rocky Mountain Sewing that is perfect for me. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that some sewing chairs have, but it’s great for my long legs.

Watch out – now I have no excuses as to why my projects aren’t getting done. Right?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

I Finished a Table Runner!!



Yes! I finished a project, one that I bought last summer. Every February and July my friend and I go to the local sewing festival (Rocky Mountain Sewing Festival). I always end up buying something, even though I probaby have enough projects in my sewing room to last me a lifetime. Maybe two.

One of the projects I bought last summer was a kit for a winter table runner. It had pre-cut squares and applique snowflakes. I don't do applique -- the A word -- but I love snowflakes and these were cut and included fusible webbing. I just had to iron them on and sew them down.

A the end of November I decided to work on this project, hoping to have it done by today for a party I was throwing. I finished it just last Thursday. It was my first real experience with free-motion quilting and using metallic threads. I also used my Bedazzler Pro -- which I acquired at last summer's sewing festival. I put sparkles on the runner where I had added some free motion snowflakes.

It won't win any quilting prizes, but I really like it!