Category Archives: Supplies

If you read this post, you know things weren’t looking good for my Viking machine.  After I finished a free-motion quilting session, I sat down to try and squeeze out one more project on the machine before taking it to the shop.  No go – it wouldn’t even run anymore!  The hand-wheel wouldn’t turn all of the way, and I couldn’t find the source of the problem.  So I took the machine to the shop and the mechanic opened the case, took a peak at some of the moving parts, and said “OOOOOohhhh no” and then gave a big, defeated sigh.

It was dead.  Boo!  The black dust was from two of the moving parts scraping against each other and creating metal dust.  In my classic paranoid, self-defeating manner I asked if it was something that I had done.  He assured me it wasn’t, but was rather just old-age.  That was sort of a relief because I really pride myself on my dedication to maintaining my machines.  I got it serviced regularly and diligently did my at-home cleaning.

I guess that mechanism that was broken is no longer manufactured and the replacement parts are all used and only have a life expectancy of a couple of months.  So it was time to make a big decision!  What machine to buy?  After a lot of research, soul-searching, and number crunching I decided to go all out and get myself a floor-model Bernina B550 Quilter’s Edition.  It came with a walking foot and BSR free-motion stitch regulator, and is pretty damn sweet.

So although it is sad that the Viking broke, and definitely I was not expecting on making such a LARGE purchase this month, it is very nice having my new whiz-bang machine and I’m hoping to get a couple of decades and dozen quilts out of it : )

For Christmas I got the coolest present from my mom…

Can you see it?  It’s transparent!  It’s an adjustable sewing table that fits to my machine!

I’m finishing up my quilt-top for the Tangerine Tango challenge, and was finally motivated to get this puppy out of the box and on to my machine. It’s so awesome.  And what’s so great about this table is that it’s adjustable in like 400 different ways so you can easily make changes so it will fit any sewing machine.  It’s so nice to have the added support by having this extended table.  Also, it actually makes sewing a more quiet experience – you slide off the junk drawer from the bottom of machine so that you can attach this extending table.  By doing that you no longer have to hear all of your bobbins and machine-feet rattling around when you sew!  Added bonus.

If you want one, my mom got mine from HERE.

Anyway this isn’t a sponsored post, just an honest-to-goodness recommendation/bragging post.  But thanks for thinking I’m fancy enough to have sponsors!

The wonderful Sew, Mama, Sew Blog is asking peeps about their thread collections.  Here are my responses:

How did you select colors for your personal thread collection?

I was lucky enough to be gifted a huge collection of 100% cotton threads in a rainbow of colors from my mother.  Ever since, I’ve added to my collection by purchasing threads on an as-needed basis.

Do you always match the color perfectly to your project?

If I have a color in my collection that is “close-enough” I’ll use it rather than go out and purchase a new spool.   I aim to have threads that compliment my project.

Do you ever use contrasting thread?

Yes, especially when hand-sewing.  If you want to try and draw attention to careful stitching, why not amp it up with some contrasting colors?

Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread?

If my backing fabric is drastically different from my top, and I don’t want to draw attention to the quilting details, than I’ll use different threads.  Most of the time I use the same exact thread for top and bottom. If you use different types of threads you’ll likely face a bunch of tension issues while sewing – true story.

What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors?

This is a tuffy!  If I was really concerned about clashing threads with fabrics, I might pick a quilting style that would skirt the issue – such as quilting in the ditch!  This is similar to what I did with the WEDDING QUILT.

Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread?

When in doubt – go 100% cotton.  Most likely your machine will work well with cottons and the thread is less likely to shrink in the wash, preventing puckering.  Rayon can look nice for decorative stitching.  I also have recently played with metallic threads.  When sewing with metallics, buy size 90/14 metallic needles for your machine.  Also – lightly coat the spool with Sewer’s Aid, and I even finger the first part of the thread with this lubricant before threading my machine.

Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection?

Nothing fancy here!  Although I do have my “specialty thread” bobbins separated from the rest, and my embroidery floss in a semi-organized different container.

Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)?

Can’t say that I have, although seeing the rainbow of threads arranged in the store has inspired a quilting color scheme before.

Do you “invest” in thread?

I haven’t yet, but noticing that my original cotton collection is rapidly depleting, I could consider begging for another bundle as a gift idea. 

What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.)

I have quilting threads, all-purpose threads, some weird rayons, and a couple of fun metallics.  I would like to try elastic thread for some garment details, but I’m too wrapped up in the quilting world right now.