PFAFF ACCESSORIES FOR SALE

Before I put these still very usable accessories/parts on Ebay.....perhaps you or someone you know may be interested in replacing an item they may need.

These are from my 2140 but I believe most Pfaff feet/parts are interchangable.  (I hope I'm right in saying that).  Please feel free to correct me.  One exception...I have 41 plastic bobbins and I think they may differ from older machines.

Without going into every detail......let me say that the foot control alone online new costs $129 and a bobbin case is $55.00 - I have two. Additionally, all the original feet that came with the machine plus 7 extras are available, the accessory box, manual, power cord, and a hard carrying case (not shown) are up for grabs. 

Contact me (link on right side bar) if there's something you see/need for more info and we can work out a very reasonable price.

TOUCH OF GOLD - MY MACHINE FUND!

It's certainly good to know there are readers/collectors looking at my gallery shop......and helping me reduce the deficit in my machine fund!! Thank you Janet!

" TOUCH OF GOLD" has a new home!

THE REVEAL.....

Sure, I knew I was leaving you hanging when I last reported my continuing machine saga.....and I had a good laugh when Sheila (blogger pal) wrote saying it was like a TV series' last episode of the season.  She was hoping I wasn't going to make her wait too long to find out who shot JR!!!  Really...that's too funny and obviously I realize no one was really holding their breath!!

I must admit it was shocking to realize how much research, time, energy, disappointment, confusion, and sticker shock my quest would generate.  I've come to the conclusion that machines these days are expected (perhaps by the designers??) to do it all.....and maybe that's the problem.....they can't execute or supply every little feature perfectly.

To recap.....I returned the Pfaff - Expression 4.2 for a full refund and kudos to the dealer who accepted the machine back.  One of my biggest priorities was the dual feed feature....only 3 companies provide that....Pfaff's being the least bulky.  So, then I was down to two.  As I mentioned, I did A LOT of online research and very much appreciated the generosity of those who shared their opinions about the models I was looking at.  As human beings....perhaps there is a tendency to go online to complain, rather than taking the time to do so when a compliment is in order. I found both examples and tried to weigh the reviews appropriately.

Now the decision was narrowed down to Bernina, which I knew a lot about or Janome which I knew practically nothing about.  Both had good websites with tutorials, and plenty of details such as the physical measurements of the machine, what accessories came with the machine, warranty coverage etc.  Our location limits our shopping quite a bit.  No dealer actually had all the models available for me to test stitch, and the machines I did sew on were poorly displayed and set up....probably unfairly turning me off to two of the models.

Being tenacious....I found a dealer about 75 miles away who had a model I was leaning toward, yet wanted to sew on it.  Judy's Sew & Vac in Taylor, SC is a gem.  They are knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and are the kind of folks that appreciate your business and are there to support you.  Okay..enough already...you have probably scrolled down by now to see the photos and know I purchased a Janome 8900.

Yes, cost was a partial factor....Bernina's are fine machines, but the cost of all the extras required was more than my budget could be squeezed. And.....after a couple of days, I'm all thumbs up with my new best friend. Naturally there is a lot to learn....even after sewing for over 30 years.....but the dealer spent quite a bit of time taking me through the features she thought might be new to me.  

 Because my room is long and narrow, without good light, we installed this bank of 13 lights (which probably cost a fortune to operate!).  Unfortunately, no matter how they are adjusted....I still experience shadowy areas.

Therefore, my work pod needed to be beneath the lights.  None of the models I considered would fit in my 25+ year old Horn cabinets without enlarging the cut out.....and that was problematic.  The dealer had a well designed and very sturdy table at a great price when purchasing the machine.  That too came home with me. 

Despite moving EVERYTHING, thinking I could rearrange my pod....it ended up looking nearly the same as when I began. And this is the tidiest it will ever be.

So...here are some of the things I love about the machine.  It has a specific patchwork setting.....the needle moves to the right and the stitch length decreases from the default 2.5 to 1.8.  I prefer a slightly longer stitch and it's easily changed to 2.0. The 1/4" foot which COMES WITH the machine has a metal guide on the right side which I LOVE.  (Click on photo to enlarge.)  AND it makes a perfect 1/4" seam!!

The dual feed feature that I sought isn't integrated in the machine like the Pfaff's is.....it's called Accufeed and is activated when either the large or narrow feet are attached.  I thought they'd be too bulky and get in the way, but so far I'm not finding that to be a problem.  The machine comes with the large foot and the dealer threw in the narrow one.  Did I say this dealer is a gem?? The funny thing is....the stitching on this machine is so accurate for patchwork, I haven't had to use these special feet for that purpose. 

 More surprises....it comes WITH this very sturdy extension table.

 And a semi-hard cover.

And a knee lift.  I've never been able to use one, even when provided on my previous machines due to the front cabinet plate on my Horn cabinets.  I'm delighted with this feature!

Of course I haven't done a great deal of sewing so far....but what I have done is assuring me there will be no buyers remorse.  As I learn more, if I feel it's of interest here and can be helpful, I'll pass it on.

Oh and....yes, the Packers are now 5 - 0 !!!!!!  Cheesehead land is happy....

PACKER SUNDAY

Whew....whooooo   Another Packer Sunday where the game will be televised here in NC.  So.....now say it with me......

GO PACK GO......MAKE IT 5 IN A ROW!!!!

THE WHINING STOPS HERE

After a few weeks of being machine-less......and after tons of confusion as I researched what machine would be the best fit for me......I made a decision, changed my mind, and made another one.

First let me address the brand that disappointed me beyond belief.  During my long time role as an instructor in the quilt world, I'd been fortunate to be included in both Pfaff and Bernina's loaner programs throughout the years.

The reason I enjoyed sewing on a Bernina was its precision piece and quality. The reason I enjoyed sewing on a Pfaff was their one-time exclusive dual feed feature. It was invaluable to me for straight line quilting/bindings etc.  Though Bernina's walking foot did essentially the same thing.....I personally had difficulty using it.  I wear trifocals.....and no matter how hard I tried....my eyes simply refused to track the sort of jerking movements of the walking foot.  Most quilters have no problem with it but I did.

Like so many businesses, there has been a lot of consolidation with machine manufacturers.  Unfortunately, all too often the quality of the product suffers.  Happily, Bernina is still made in Switzerland. Sadly, Pfaff is no longer manufactured in Germany, rather their almost all plastic machines now come out of China.

Replacing a machine for some of us may be like trying to replace a loved pet!!  If money and space were no object.... my decision would have been different. So, even after being warned NOT to purchase a Pfaff that isn't at least 6 years old, I did anyway. (Expressions 4.2)  This was not an easy feat given the closest dealer is over 4+ hrs. round trip away.  After a total of 3 trips trying to get this thing to stitch a simple straight line and turn a corner.....it went back!

I feel a bit disloyal revealing my experience, but honestly, after 30 years of sewing I KNOW how to thread a machine and know when the bobbin and needle tensions aren't right!!  Even after the factory trained repair person 'fixed' this brand new machine, I was never able to get a satisfactory stitch. This is an example of the back of one sample....top and bobbin threads are exactly the same weight....just different colors.....note the horrible tension, esp. where I stitched squared corners....the front wasn't much better as the bobbin thread was too visible on that side as well. Perhaps my experience is not the norm, and if there was a dealer closer, maybe with more adjustments the tension issues could have been solved....but that wasn't the case so I crossed Pfaff off my list.

Now, let me say that Bernina is a fine machine, Bernina owners LOVE their machines. However, I had leaned toward the Pfaff quite honestly with my pocket book in mind.  Their machine fit my current cabinet (the Bernina with the same features would not).  It came with all the necessary feet, the Bernina did not.  Therefore, besides the higher price point of the machine, many extra costs would have been necessary.  Now after the fact, I realize my thriftiness ended up causing two weeks of hassles and stress!

So, I began my search again..... which ended yesterday. 

 More work will be necessary to get my sewing space set up....everything had to be moved.

My nearly 25 year old Horn cabinets will not accommodate these newer/larger machines.  By the time 'the husband' figured out the cost of purchasing a new saw to cut the opening larger.....and then realized the remaining surround may not have enough support left....it was clear I had to have another one. This has the whole room in an uproar as I try to figure how how to juggle my space to fit the new very sturdy table into my sewing 'pod'.  

I'm sure it will be moved several times before I get the right combo.  My space isn't all that small, the issue is more about lighting.  I sew in a loft area, with tall sloping wood ceiling and not too much natural light.  There is a long bank of lights that runs down the center of the room, which requires my workspace to be located directly below it.  

I really found it shocking how difficult the process of replacing a machine became. But, perhaps this is more than you wanted to know! I did a ton of research online and found generously provided tutorials and reviews of other sewers so helpful.  Perhaps this post will serve to help someone else.

I'll share more once I'm all set up.....

THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE - NEW WORK

Awhile back, I made a piece that had the feel of a Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Style window or at least that was my impression.  You can see it here.

I set out to try a similar yet different approach, inspired by this flat dyed mercerized cotton. It was dyed in about 3 mins. by squirting leftover dye...thus the color scheme.

This hunk of cotton was ice dyed.

And this is 4 sections of deconstructed screen printed designs. One of the Fiber Junkies has a wonderful thin metal gear/washer looking thing that we all love to use for this technique. It inspired my idea to feature circles.

The background was stitched to give the appearance of tall grasses. A few of the deconstructed circular motifs were isolated and surrounded with 1/4" strips of the green ice dyed fabric.  

Then I spent far too much time auditioning various arrangements of narrow strips as seen above and below......

......You are being spared ALL the variations......and we'll go right to the final one below.

THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE - 15.25" x 24.75"  © 2015

AVAILABLE HERE (also a larger view)

Hand-dyed, ice dyed, and deconstructed screen printed cotton. 

Machine stitched.

Detail

Linking to:  Nina-Marie's Off The Wall Friday, Whoop, Whoop Friday, Crazy Mom Sews, Richard and Tanya Quilts.

WHAT EVERY ARTIST HOPES FOR!

We all say it don't we?  The best validation we can receive about our work is when someone enjoys it enough to want to display it in their home.  This trio of felted wool consists of numerous layers of surface design techniques.  It's now residing in Wisconsin....and I can't think of a better place for them.

In case you missed my process posts, click here to get an overview of the steps involved to make one of these pieces.

If you are a collector, consider visiting my gallery HERE, perhaps a piece will catch your eye.

I'm curious.....since I'm in need of a sewing machine.....what are you sewing on???  What's your dream machine?

RAIN SOAKED

Perhaps you've heard mention on the news about the 200 year rain happening in the Southeastern part of the US.  Yup.....we've had about 12" now in a less than a week.  Until today we'd escaped the power outages that many have experienced in our area, mostly due to downed trees because of the water saturated ground.  Alas, we had our turn this morning.....but the sky is brightening a bit, the power is back on....and all is well.

 I choose to look at the positive affects of this long lasting storm.....the foliage is simply sparking with moisture.

Beautiful, yes??

THE NEWEST PACKER FAN

It's never too early to become a Packer fan......he's 2 days old!!

And here to celebrate the Packer's 4 - 0 record is his 3 year "older" brother....who can say "GO PACK GO" like a Cheesehead!!

WHAT SUNDAY IS IT???

Why it's Packer Sunday of course!!!

 My nieces are ready.......

.....and so is Sooty.....our black lab!!!

GO PACK GO.........GO PACK GO.....