Puget Sound Sewing & Craft

I’m Shopping for a New Sewing Machine

I’ve been thinking about buying a new sewing machine. But deciding which one will best meet my needs can be stressful and complicated. I have to weigh all the things I want to do with it and make sure it is going to fit with the projects I do.

Years ago I did a lot of sewing for my two little girls. You know, the fancy little dresses and cute little head bands. Now I sew for myself. No, not dresses or head bands, but quilts and decorations for the house. So I need something that will fit these projects.

I visited Quality Sewing & Vacuum's Website and found several sewing machines that fit into my budget and needs. These features are on my sewing machine wish list:

• Easy to thread
• Button holes
• Blind hemming
• Walking feet
• Loudness of the machine’s motor
• Whether classes are offered to teach me how to use it

Even my sewing machine’s weight is important to me, because  I carry my machine around a lot. It goes with me to my monthly meeting of the UFO Club (Unfinished Objects).

A couple of machines I found at Quality Sewing & Vacuum are the Pfaff Quilt Expression 2048 and Pfaff Performance 2058. Both have regular sewing stitches and also fancy ones.

As an added bonus, these machines are going to be used on one of my favorite shows, Project Runway. Who knows? Maybe using one of those machines will make me a famous designer!

If—like me—you yearn for a new sewing machine, I recommend that you remember two important things:

1. Say within your budget
2. Go with your gut

I'd also encourage you to be a little adventurous—buy a machine that has a new feature. It could turn out to be your favorite stitch.

What about you?  What features do you look for in a new sewing machine?

Your sewing machine can be your best friend and can provide great therapy. Have fun, and happy stitching.

Treasures at Issaquah's Pacific Fabrics & Crafts

Close-Out Pricing

Guess what?

I had a little bird tell me that right now there are deals unlike any other at the Pacific Fabrics Issaquah store. Unfortunately, the company lost their lease for that store and has to close it. But this is to your benefit and mine as well. The close-out prices are an outstanding deal.

                                                   Just now reduced-

• Books, Patterns, Giftware and Flat Folds- 50% off!
• Block of the Month Fabrics- 25% off!
• Rest of the Store- 1/3 off regular price!

Even if you have to travel a little, it is well worth your time to grab a few friends and make a day of it. Fill your baskets and store it until you need it or take the time now to plan your next several projects and buy accordingly.

A Green Heart

I just had to show you! The picture here that looks a little like thongs is just that—and my daughter and her friend’s attempt to "go green". They cut the bottoms from the layer of cardboard that cushions apples in their boxes and made the strings with yarn. They even proudly announced that they have natural arch supports. Ha. The sandals won’t last long in this rain but I think the attempt was sweet, and of course their hearts are definitely in the right place.

Tiny Fingers

We bought a cool little cardboard container that looks like a mini suitcase and filled it up with beads. We also bought regular beads and characters/fun shapes. Come next weekend, we will have a bunch of little hands and fingers over to make bead bracelets. Don’t worry, I made sure that we included trucks, cars and animals and not just flowers and hearts. And of course, we will take a picture or two to share the moment with you.

What’s your current project? Please comment and let us know!

Julie

Let's Meet...LANA JONES!

Quality Sewing & Vacuum holds "Sew Fun" classes each month where you can do fun things for the very reasonable price of $6.00, or for free if you are a member.

For April, come prepared to meet and greet Lana Jones, one of our consultants who just authored her first book. She will teach specifically on techniques such as how to miter corners and achieve the perfect appliqué, as well as machine beading and precise placement of embroidery designs.

Lana will be at the various locations throughout April and is excited to meet you. Check the schedule  and plan to attend.

Julie - It’s great to talk to you, Lana! I’m excited to learn more about you. What started you in crafting?

Lana - I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved to the states when I was 6 years old. One of four kids, I played a lot alone due to illness of two of my siblings. Creating things was a way I kept busy. I was always creating something, sometimes it was trouble, but mostly it was whatever I could get my hands on to make into a new gadget. I even took things apart, just to put them back together. I started sewing at 10 years old, on a Singer Featherweight machine, which I still have. I made clothes for myself, crafted items, knit by hand and machine, crocheted, and have done small woodworking projects (I have my own scroll saw!). I did anything to keep my mind occupied and expand my creative spirit.

Julie - What a great outlet! Tell us a little about what’s important to you.

Lana - My beautiful children! Jordyn, 22, is a graduate of Western Washington University. My son Jarod is 19 and a freshman in college, going for his criminal justice degree. I am so very proud of them, they are my best work!

Julie - How did you get started teaching sewing classes?

Lana - I spent 21 years at GTE (now Verizon) at various jobs. Not a creative place, but a good job. I left to raise my two children. For the past 11 years, I've been having great fun teaching hands-on classes, presenting club presentations, working shows and basically talking about sewing all the time for Quality Sewing. I recently received a certification from Christopher Nejman as a Fiber Construction Artist. This was a lot of work, but so worth the time. With further tutoring from him, I will be able to teach his punching methods.   

Julie - Congratulations! That’s amazing! What do you like the best about teaching classes?

Lana - The thing that I enjoy most is when someone says, "That tip was worth the price of the class" or "I learned so much, thank you." But it is also the "Oh! I get it!" look that is so fun to see! When I can help someone get to where they want to be with the sewing, it is very satisfying.

Julie - Tell us about the April Sew Fun classes.

Lana - During the entire month of April Sew Fun I will be presenting my new book "More than  Sewing...Creating." The book compiles the instructions and projects that people have been asking me to put into a book for years. It also includes material from some of the most asked-for hands-on classes that I teach.

Read Lana's blog: Blue Bunny Hollow

Welcome! Let's Talk All Things Crafty

Where did your love of sewing and/or making all things crafty come from?

Mine came from my grandmother, who lived down the street and whom I visited frequently. She taught me early on (although she complained that I was "unteachable" much of the time!) and by the time I reached junior high, I knew all the stitches that they wanted to teach me in Home Economics. My grandma loved to quilt but I didn’t pick up on that love. I have to credit my mom as well, who sewed Halloween costumes and clothes year after year for my brothers and me and kept her fabric in large boxes that were so fun to dig through. Believe it or not, I still have some of the fabric and it comes in handy for outfits that need to fit a certain (I won’t say which) era. And now my kids enjoy digging through my fabric bins.

My name is Julie. I am a member of the Puget Sound Sewing & Craft team and I am so pleased to be here with you. I was born and raised in the Puget Sound (Kitsap County) and love the area. It will always be "home" to me. I have three kiddos, two in middle school and one in early elementary who are my pride and joy and (most of the time) get more attention than my projects. I love to learn, and seek this constantly, whether through classes, articles or other people. Yes, I am the note scribbler in the group, and I learn best when learning is hands-on and I can actually try a technique.

Someone asked me recently, "What do you want to accomplish through the blog?" and I have to say that I (as well as the rest of the team) want it to be a place where you can come for downtime, fun-time, instruction and interaction with other people who love all things crafty as much as you do.

Whether you are a beginner, want to freshen up on your skills (me!) or maintain title as an experienced crafter, I hope that your time here will energize you and maybe even give you the desire to try some new things.

Please take a moment to comment right now and let us know one or more of the following:

• A little bit about you
• Where your love of all things stitching and crafting came from
• Who your mentor was (if anyone)
• A love/hate relationship that you might have with sewing or crafts
• Topics you'd like to see on the Puget Sound Sewing & Craft blog

Looking forward to getting to know you!

Julie