So what makes a quilter drool?

A new sewing machine of course.

I've got my eye on the new Janome 7700 Horizon machine.  For a closer look at all the bells and whistles, check this out!

There are many things that sell me about this machine.  I currently own a Pfaff sewing/embroidery machine and an older pfaff sewing machine.  I really like both of them.  I also own a Brother sewing machine I use for machine quilting.  It stitches 1500 stitches per minute and you machine quilters out there know, the faster you go, the easier it is to machine quilt.  I still like all these machines, but, I can tell a savvy machine designer has asked some experienced quilters just what they would want on their machines and they have put it on this 7700.

Drool Factor #1:  AUTOMATIC PLATE CONVERTER.  How easy would that be.  If you still have a regular sewing machine, it came with a zigzag stitch plate that probably pops off and on for cleaning.  You should also have a straight stitch throat plate for your machine.  These are handy for a little more precision for your 1/4 inch seam.

Drool Factor #2:  A THROAT PLATE THAT IS 11.5 INCHES LONG.  Normal machines are around 8 inches or less.  It just makes it a little easier for working.

Drool Factor #3:  FIVE LED LAMPS FOR SHADOW FREE STITCHING.  Good lighting in any work environment is highly recommended.  I have the Bendable Bright Light which is attached to my machine, which helps.

Drool Factor #4:  ACUFEED SYSTEM.  This is the main reason I bought 2 Pfaff sewing machines.  The AcuFeed system makes dual feed dogs, so pulling of material is done on the top and the bottom for accurate piecing.

Drool Factor #5:  SEW UP TO 1000 STITCHES PER MINUTE.  My Brother sews 1500 stitches per minute.  I use it for my quilting machine.

Drool Factor #6:  AUTOMATIC PROGRAMMABLE THREAD CUTTER.  It pulls the thread to the back after it cuts it.

Drool Factor #7:  ADJUSTABLE FOOT PRESSURE.  My Pfaff's have 2 levels of pressure so I can do machine quilting without using the quilting foot.

Well these are only a few of the things I can drool about with this new machine.  Yes, indeed, I think manufacturers must be making enough money off of us quilters that they finally are listening to us and it appears, the Janome 7700 Horizon is the answer to all our likes gathered together in one fine bundle.  Hmmm....now did a designer from Brother and a machine designer from Pfaff come together for a big pow wow?  I'll never know.  And I don't get any money for writing this "review".  Heck, I haven't even tried to sew on it.  After scanning the waves of the WWW, this is one thing that made me stop and need a napkin...smile.

I found this fabulous review from a very experienced quilter that sheds light on a lot of these items.  Check it out!

If you like to make puzzles your will like quilting...I think

We quilters don't usually shy away from a challenge.  It seems our little grey cells are in constant need of stimulation.  Which for us is manipulating fabric into designs.

This can be a daunting thing to do.  When you go into a quilt store, you are not looking at little pieces of material all cut up and sewn together in a "test block".  Nope, you have to see in your oh so powerful minds eye the mostly 2X3 inch pieces, in this case, that will become a Tennessee Waltz quilt block.  Then you have to imagine the snowball block to go along side it.

Here is my attempt at joining those colors in fabric to make quilt blocks to be sewn together, soon.  Who needs a Birangle.

The Town...a Great Movie

Who new that Ben Affleck would be such a good director/actor, but, he is both!

I've never been to Boston, but I imagine the characters in this movie to be picked right out of the white pages of the phone book for the area.

Go see it!  You'll have to wear your best green outfit and maybe drink some green beer to understand the heavy irish/Boston accents, but, it's so cool to hear what's left of a sound that is local to a weary city.  Missing "r's" never sounded so good...smile.

Tennessee Waltz tips

I'm still working on the pattern that requires a Birangle.  Improvising, I've made the bias strips for the sharp points, notice they are mirror images.

Trim off the ends then measure the width of the blocks to cut.

Next line up the points for cutting.  I'm not sure this method is all that fast, but, it's the first time I've tried this, so I'm all in.  All quilters find their own methods of enjoyment.  Some might not like the way others choose to make quilts.  Quilt making is a highly personal process and they take a long, solitary time to make.  So, you must find the method that suits your personality and enjoy the process. 

I could stay home and quilt all day, but, National Public Radio needs my help

It's our last Waterfront Wednesday and the world's greatest radio station needs me to help transport bands from the Waterfont to the radio station for interviews.  We couldn't ask for better weather or better bands to finish off a fantastic but hot, season of music down by the river.

My challenge today, for the short time I've got before my volunteering begins is to figure out how to make a Birangle, as they all seem to be out of stock.  It was a tool made by Mary Hickey many years ago for making 30 degree angles.  I'm making a Tennessee Waltz quilt.  The pattern comes from an old book I bought on Ebay.  Quick and Easy Quiltmaking by Mary Hickey, Nancy J. Martin, Marsha McCloskey and Sara Nephew.  It's from That Patchwork Place, which, in my opinion puts out some amazing quilt books.  When I see that publisher logo on a book, I know it's probably going to very well done.

These are some pretty savvy quilters that have been in the business a long time.  I think a lot of successful quilters must try to invent a tool for an additional sale item.  I wish I was that smart.  Hmmm...mabye a tool that make me lose 10 pounds while setting at the machine.  But wait, we had those in years gone by, I think they were called a treadle sewing machine. 

Ah well, something will come to me...idea, lightbulb, pop, pop...smile. 

World Equestrian Games Opening Ceremony

On a lovely football weather fall evening Bob and I headed to Lexington, Ky for the kick off event for the World Equestrian Games .  Just like the olympics, only on a much smaller scale and revolving around horses, dancers and performers with politicians in tow put on quite a show.

Kentucky is known for it's horses.  It rolled out all kinds of representation of the equestrian art form.  First things were started with the American Indian and their horses.  It was almost too perfect.  The many different tribes that were represented looked like a hollywood cast of beautiful high cheek bones and tripod noses.  My husband and girls are Cherokee Indians and they don't look like that.  I went to school in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and it's the Cherokee capital.  My bridesmaid, Veda Wildcat was 63/64ths Cherokee.  She felt intense pressure to marry a full blood Cherokee from her tribe.  That's another blog discussion.

After the beautiful Indians and horses.  We were welcomed back home too Kentucky with the display of the saddle bred horses and their high stepping ways.  Included in this menagerie was William Shatner, an acclaimed horseman.  Also on display was the world famous Arabian horse bred by Wayne Newton.  The "Gift from the Dessert" as this segment was called.  I didn't know that all horses in these groups could be traced to the Arabian horses.  There were many groups in the competition from Arab countries.

Next we were treated to a display of precision horsemanship complete with John Philip Suzza custom written music for the prancing horses.

The athletes from all over the world made their group appearances walking in matching outfits and waving their country's flags.  Spain was a large group in the competition and it occurred to me that if they won this, they just won the World Cup and that country is on already on roll of pride.

The beautiful and rare friesian horses from the Netherlands.

Finally, for us at least, the politicians, from mayor to governor and Muhamid Ali we wheeled around the arena in antique cars.  We left here hoping to beat the long winded speeches sure to come and the huge amount of traffic sure to come.

If you go to the games, be sure to go to JJ McBrewster's BBQ.  Some of the best pulled pork and sauces I've ever had, top 5 for sure.  Try the mac and cheese it's great!  We are fans of the Diners, Drive ins and Dives show, this is an upcoming segment on October 4th.