Cute little bag

 I'm blessed to have several friends I meet with, send texts a few times each week and we get together once a month or so at a nice restaurant to catch up with each other.  Now that I've given these out, one to each of my friends, I can share this nice project.

I made each of them a Bitsy Box.  The pattern is by Ticklegrass Designs.  The Bitsy Box is a 2"x2" little bag that is perfect for storing Wonder Clips.  In fact, I filled the little thing with about 50 Wonder Clips before I gave them out.

If you're looking for a nice project to give as gifts, this one fits the bill.  They come together quickly due to their small size and are easy!

Embroidery Machine Upgrade

 I decided to upgrade to another embroidery machine with a larger hoop size.  I bought a Janome Memory Craft 500E embroidery only machine.  I've been getting to know it the last couple days and I really like this machine!  The largest hoop size is 8"x 11".  I have a couple projects to work on after the Christmas rush is over and both have larger embroidery designs in them.  Here is one of the designs, a double hooping creates this design:

I also worked on two quilt labels for a customer and I am very impressed with the quality of the stitching.  I made a good decision getting this machine.

Under my needle

 Winter has finally arrived in NC.  On this cold Sunday this is under my needle.  I began it last night and plan to finish it and 2 other small quilts today!  The pantograph on this quilt is called Bossa Nova and it's a favorite of mine.  

This is one of the other quilts I need to finish for a customer.  It has a travel theme and I'm stitching campers on it using my robotics.

A new kind of rotary cutter!

 There is a new type of rotary cutter available and it is wonderful!  Much different than the usual rotary cutter, it has ball bearings in it that make it so much easier to cut.  You don't have to press nearly as hard to get the blade to cut.  And the best thing is our cutting mats will last longer! 

Another benefit is for people who have arthritis in their hands or shoulders.  With less pressure placed on the cutter there is a bit of relief from pain while using a cutter.

It's sold only at Missouri Star Quilt Company.  

How to avoid twisted binding

This video has a very good tip for joining the binding.  She folds the binding over at one point and this tip has certainly helped me.   I used to end up with twisted binding about 50% of the time, but with this folding idea, no more twisted binding!

Under my needle

 I have a customer quilt on the frame tonight, I'm working late.   On the wall are 2 quilt tops I made over the summer.  I haven't had time to longarm my own tops lately but I'll have more time after the Christmas rush is over.

Quilt Retreat Packing List

 I am headed to a quilt retreat next month in the North Carolina mountains.  I made a checklist for myself and thought I would share it with you!  

It's a free download, click here!

Ode to Sewing Machines #46

 Many of you follow my "Ode to the Sewing Machine" posts.  We've all seen the ads on craigslist, ebay and elsewhere.  The clueless sellers give those of us who sew a belly laugh, or two!  Here's installment #46!  

That's a new way to thread a machine!

All you need is $150 and a tetanus shot for this pile of junk.

Ewww!  No wonder it's been listed for 9 months with no takers, even for $10.