Thread Thursday

I know, I know... You're tired of hearing about the thread.

I'm not done talking about it, though!  I receive zero compensation for trying to get you to try Superior Threads.  I tell you about it because I am excited about thread and especially about this thread.  Don't worry, you don't have to buy it by the cone like I do, they sell spools, too.

Have I mentioned how much I like being a member of the Thread of the Month Club?  This month I got these amazing colors.  I love the shine of Magnifico and how wonderfully it quilts.  It is great stuff!  I usually pair it with Omni in the bobbin.

One of the benefits of being a member of the Thread of the Month Club is that you get the daily deal all month long AND you can just set those fun daily deals aside until your club order ships and get free shipping on the whole lot!  In this shipment I got a special price on the So Fine! #50 and the pre-wound Bottom Line bobbins.

Since I was holding out for Thursday for this post I have to admit that I've already quilted something with the dark brown So Fine!

Charity Quilting: Postage Stamp

This quilt top was made and donated to Annapolis Quilts for Kids. 

It's been sitting here waiting to get quilted for a month or more.  I finally got around to it and I love the finished quilt.

Waldo approves.  Some day I'll put together my own postage stamp quilt.  Or just some scrap vomit quilt with these scraps I seem to be collecting.

Because I was in a quilting mood but not a fancy mood I just did a small meander to get it all quilted.  The meander may be humble but it is good at its job and I love it for that.

You may be wondering why there is a flower just hanging out in the middle of the quilt. I found a bad seam after I had quilted half the quilt.  While I tried to stitch over it, I just didn't think it was good enough so I cut out an applique flower with the Accuquilt Go! and quilted it right onto the top.  It isn't perfect but it will hold up better than it would have without that flower.  

I love scrappy and this quilt is no exception.  I went with the scrappy binding on this one.  I wish it was scrappier!

All folded up and ready to go in a couple weeks.  I'm going to try to stay focused and get a couple more quilted before the next meeting on October 18th.  

Do you quilt for charity?  I'd love to hear about it.

In The Mail Monday: Vintage Sewing Machine Parts

I recently placed an order with Cindy at Stitches in Time.  She is a great source for reproduction sewing machine parts for your vintage Singer and other vintage sewing machines.

I needed some bobbins for the Singer 115 that I intend to convert to a hand-crank.  The hand-cranks weren't in stock but Cindy said she would let me know when they came in.  I got a copy of her brochure/price list so now I don't have to bother her about prices for every little thing.

I used up all the bobbin winder tires I had from an order I placed on eBay months ago so I ordered some more of those.  I totally lost the bobbin case for my Singer 15-91.  I know I had it in 2008 or 2009 but I have no idea where it might be now.  I also got a replacement bobbin cover plate for my really clunky (meaning rusty and electrically dangerous) Spartan since it didn't have one when I bought it.  I had her throw in some felt pads for all of the vintage machines for good measure.  Shipping was quick and communication was excellent.

For your vintage machine parts you can reach Cindy at stitchesintime@earthlink.net.

In case you didn't hear, Sam Hunter of Hunter Design Studio is having a blog hop to promote her book.  You should totally go check it out.  Why?  Because you could win a copy of Sam's book Quilt Talk and make your own paper-pieced masterpiece!  I got my copy last month and I need to sit still long enough to make something awesome.

Thread Thursday: Staying Organized

I found that I was having trouble keeping track of my scissors while working on the long arm.  Having to traipse back and forth along the long arm's 10 feet to find them was becoming annoying.  Several other quilters and crafters had raved about this cute little cart from IKEA.

I wasn't in love with the white or the turquoise but the gray seemed like a good fit.  I put it into the cart and it came home with us.  This project requires only one peep.

As proof that I needed somewhere to store my tools, I had trouble finding space to put this cutie together.  I ended up doing some of the assembly on top of my closed treadle cabinet.  Don't tell the vintage sewing machine people.

Like all things created IKEA, this one included simple assembly that could be accomplished with tools on-hand or those provided.  This little wrench will likely never be used again but it was a thoughtful design.

In about 30 minutes I had my cart assembled and ready for thread.

I picked up those little hanging bins and the baskets from IKEA, too.

Look at all that thread!  I've got a system for keeping track of my threads, rulers, marking tools, tape measure and scissors.  I think this was a great investment.  Why didn't I just make an apron to carry my scissors?  Because that wouldn't be as cool as building stuff from IKEA.

Do you have a unique way to store your tools and supplies?