It's time! Spa day this week!!

 

Hope you had a fabulous Christmas day and you're rested up for the next event,  SPA DAY!  Yup, the week between Christmas and New Years is the time I do the spa day for all my featherweights.  It is recommended to do the full spa day every 6 months so come the end of June (my birthday week) I'll remind you again.

I know you have been doing the every 8-10 hr oil for your machine and the daily drop of oil on the bobbin assembly race, right?  So getting those gears greased and removing the old motor lube to replace it with new motor lube and you're all set for another 6 months of wonderful sewing.  

Since I've last posted, I purchased a used embroidery machine and I'm having a ton of fun learning how to do some cute embroidery items.  I made a set of hand towels for each of my kids and their kids this year and that kept me busy before the holiday.  I made the dog a new stocking to stuff on Christmas eve and that turned out cute.  I have loved all the wonderful embroidery things that many of you  have made and gifted to me at times.  I am very excited to be able to make some things now and like I said, I'm having fun.  I thought I'd saved a couple of pictures of what I've been making but then again, maybe not.  I'll try to post something I've made next time.

Our FW retreat/workshop weekends will be here before we know it.  March is really not that far away.  So, I will be sending out the email messages to participants and those on the waiting list this week.  Be looking in your email for it.  And, if you haven't heard from me by Jan 2, 2022, please email me so I can follow up and figure out if I messed up somewhere.  There are very long waiting lists but I will send out information to every person on that list.  I never know when someone will have to drop out and I can move someone from the waiting list to the participant list. I am looking forward to getting together.  The FW retreat/workshops are just so much fun.

I will be teaching a maintenance class on Jan 8, 2022 at the Quilt Patch in Tecumseh.  Call them at 517-423-0053 to get on the list.  We can only have 8 students per class so those tend to fill up quickly.  I will be setting up more maintenace classes but don't have those dates ready just yet.  Let me know if you are looking for a class.

And, I will be speaking to the Jackson quilt guild the end of January, 2022.  I love getting to meet ladies that love to quilt, just like me.  

Every time I post I say I will try to do better and post more.  But, somehow the days get away from me and I manage to stay pretty busy.   If you have any questions about your FWs or just want to chat, email me, jdquilts123@yahoo.com.   I always love to help you out if I can. 

 

Have a glorious New Year...... eat lots of Christmas cookies because we need to get rid of them before we go on that diet, right?  And, may each new day be a great one!

The color of fall and getting back to the winter house

Hello, all.  It's been such a beautiful fall here in the north woods.  Love this view out my sewing corner window, looking out over the lake.  With temperatures warmer than I can ever remember during October, the job of moving back to the winter house just doesn't seem as urgent.  No snow in the forecast so we may delay it a few days.  Rain this week has kept us from doing some of the things that need to be done but it will all happen soon.

I did make some great progress on my sewing projects this summer though.  The biggest accomplishment was to get the Little Brown Bird quilt all put together so it's ready for quilting.  I hung it on the clothes line and that was a disaster.  It won't hang straight on the line so it looks like it's very wavy at the bottom but really it isn't.  It's pretty flat when laid out on the bed but it's bigger than the bed so wouldn't have made a good picture.  Anyway, I'm planning on getting to the hand quilting this winter.  I don't know if I can possibly get it all done before time to come back North but I'm going to try.

And, a couple of weeks ago, the Big Guy's sister came up for a visit and the two of us drove over to Minneapolis to visit a couple of fabric shops and the Mall of America.  The Mall wasn't as exciting for me as the fabric shops.  We went to the Buttermilk Basin store and if you know their designs you know they are right up my alley.  They specialize in wool applique.  I've never done much of that but I'm wanting to give it a try.  You know I bought stuff there.  And, then, we also went to a fabric warehouse that was actually a warehouse full of fabrics, all kinds of fabrics. There was more fabric than I could imagine.  Talk about being overwhelmed!  I was!!  We want to go back next year.

The featherweight machine up here has been put away.... she doesn't like going into isolation. I snapped this picture before putting her in her case for winter.  I know there are a few people waiting for me to get back in town to do some cleaning and/or repairs on their machines.  You can send me an email if you want your machine to be added to my list.

Featherweight club classes are still on hold for the time being.  I will let you all know as soon as I find that we can meet again.  Covid still creates some problems for all of us so getting together in groups greater than 6-8 isn't possible.  Well, you know we have a lot more people wanting to come to FW Club.

Also, there will be a couple of maintenance classes this fall if anyone has been waiting to get into one.  Check the class schedule tab for information about those.  I'm going to be speaking to the Pieces and Patches Quilt Guild of Jackson at the end of January as well.  I'm looking forward to that.  

So, I'm not doing any sewing until I get back to the winter house.  I've started a mystery quilt and that's very much out of my comfort zone.  I've never made a quilt before without knowing what the end product will look like.  But, I've joined in for this one this winter and here is the picture of the fabrics I've picked for it.  I really need another red, white, and blue quilt, don't you think?

I do hope you all are staying well, getting to use your sweet Featherweights, and getting lots of sewing done.  The next time I post, I will be in SE Mi, ready for the snow to fly.  I hope it holds off for quite awhile though.  Have a good sewing day, all.

 

Wrapping up the 2021 August Retreat/Workshops

I've been home 3 days since the August 2021 retreats so it's time to reflect on all the good things that happened there.  Perhaps the best thing that happens at FW Camp, as Karen calls it, is the ladies helping each other with questions about the FW machines and sewing in general.  Laurie is helping Beth here and I think this picture might be one of my favs.  It represents so well what the FW retreat/workshops are all about.

But let me tell you a few things that we did this year.  Of course quilts were sewn together and these pictures are only a small sample of so many that were made.  Can you tell which one is the one that I'm planning on making as soon as Little Brown Bird is finished? 

We played the Left/Right/Center game with a twist.  Everyone brought 6 fat quarters and went home with 6 fat quarters but I know that probably no one had the same ones at the end.  If you've never played Left/Right/Center, you should try it.  It's so much fun.

At the 2nd retreat, Debbie wanted to treat us all to High Tea.  Okay, I'd never been to a High Tea before but Debbie really outdid herself.  It was so grand.  Bev and Jane even dressed up in pearls and hats.  We've decided that next year we will all dress up for High Tea.  What a lovely time we had.  Thank you Debbie. The food was amazing and the little tea cup bird feeders that you made for each of us were adorable.

Thank you so much ladies for attending this year.  These FW retreat/workshops keep getting better and better.  And, it looks like we'll be full again next time.  I'll go update the information about the Spring retreats now over in the class schedule section.  Thank goodness it's awhile away so I can recoop!

We've set up a couple of FW maintenance classes in the fall and things are still on hold for the FW Club classes.  We just can't have a large group together at the Quilt Patch as yet.  I will keep you posted about those, but it looks like no gatherings at least until after the new year.

If you have a FW repair issue, send me an email.  I'm still repairing FWs and I'm working on cleaning some up to add them to the 'For Sale' group that I have.  Just contact me and perhaps I will have the perfect FW for you.  My email is:  jdquilts123@yahoo.com

It actually feels a bit like fall here in the North woods now.  I'm seeing a bit of color starting from the trees and I will only be here for a few more weeks.  I'll give you updates on some of my projects in the next post.  I hope you enjoyed the wrap up of this year's August Retreat/Workshops.  What great memories we made this time.

Summertime and the living is BUSY!

 Hello all.  Hope your summer is riding along ever so nicely.  It's been busy here.  Due to my broken arm last summer and not being able to do a lot of things before we left last fall, there seems to be double the stuff to catch up on this summer.  I'm still not done with the outside work.  I'm almost done with inside stuff.

The Big Guy wanted to make a mantle over the wood stove this year so I helped him with that.  I didn't do much but he got it done.  It gives one more space for him to display his things.

And, I wanted to display some of my things as well.  So, he said he'd make me a shelf in my sewing corner to put some of the Nantucket baskets that I've made over the years.  I'm so glad to have them out of the basement at the winter house and out to enjoy now.

Sewing and quilting?  Yes, I've been doing some of that.  This summer I brought with me a quilt that I started about 15 years ago called, Lillibet's Garden.  I had the center done and one corner.  The other 3 corners were sewn together but needed the appliqued vines, flowers and leaves.  It's taken me some time but I'm almost done with the last corner.  Getting this one to the quilting stage will feel very good.  It's a king sized quilt and I don't even have a king sized bed.  What was I thinking?

I'm so looking forward to our featherweight retreats in August.  Things are coming together and final details are getting finished up.  If you're on the roster and haven't gotten back to me, please do so quickly.  I do have one slot that opened up for the August 5-8 retreat.  Let me know if you are interested.  The email is jdquilts123@yahoo.com

I hope all of you are getting lots of sewing done this summer.  It does feel good to be able to gather once again as so many are getting vaccinated and then are able to get together.  I will be teaching a FW Maintenance class in Tecumseh on August 10th.  Call the Quilt Patch (517-423-053) to get your name on the list if you're interested it that.   I'm hoping the FW Club meetings will be able to start again in the fall.  Stay tuned for updates.  

And I almost forgot to tell you all the main reason for my post today.  Friday will be June 25th.  That's 6 months since we give our sweet featherweights a spa day.  So, it's time!  Line them all up, do the complete oil, grease, and lube, and listen to them speak to you in their softest voice.  A happy FW makes for happy sewing.

Let me know if you have any issues with your FWs and I'll try to solve all the problems you might have.  Have a beautiful summer day today and many more thereafter.

The wedding, more FW stuff, and time to go North!

 The wedding quilt got done, and the grandson married his best friend.  I'm starting to send out info about the summer FW Retreat/Workshops and life just keeps rolling on.

We had such a great time at the wedding.  The weather forecast said rain but it held off and we only got a few sprinkles as we headed inside after pictures were taken.  

The couple ask me to decorate their wedding cake and I was happy to do that for them.

And the Big Guy and I had a fabulous time. 

 

I gave the bride and groom the wedding quilt a couple of weeks before the wedding and was so glad to have it done.  I put it on our bed to see how it fit and I hope they get many years of warmth from it.

So now, it's time for packing to go North and finishing up plans for our summer retreats.

There was so much interest in the March 2022 retreat/workshop that I've signed us up for another one next spring.  The additional dates will be March 31- April 3, 2022 and I only have a few spots left to fill.  So email me if you'd like to get in on the fun.  I'll email you back to let you know if you are in the participant list or on the waiting list.

I also set up a date between our two August, 2021 retreat/workshops for a maintenance class.  There have been so many people wanting to get into that class so I will be teaching on August 10, 2021.  Check in the class schedule tab for more information on that.  Call the Quilt Patch (517-423-6752) to get your name on the class list.

I hope every one of you have gotten your vaccine against this awful Covid.  It's been a long lonely year and I'm so ready to be able to find the new normal of life.  I know you are all ready for things to feel less isolated as well.  Have a great spring.  Let me know if you have FW questions to answer and stay safe.

Announcing a March 2022 Retreat/Workshop

Hello, everyone. I've been very busy getting the wedding quilt finished, Yeah!  And, I've gotten those 7 vintage quilts finished up as well.  Life gets busy but my plan is to keep sewing/quilting to get my UFO piles down to nothing! 

But, I got a message from the retreat house owner last week telling me there is an opening at the retreat house we use in August.  WooHoo.  I've signed us up for March 11-13, 2022.  People are already getting on the list so I'm pretty sure this will fill up fast.

You know how this works.  If you want to be in the retreat/workshop, email me (jdquilts123@yahoo.com) and names will be added according to the date and time I get your request.  When the retreat is full, I'll put names on the waiting list and I will email you to let you know where you are on the list.

I'm going to be out of town for a couple of days so you might not hear from me until the end of the week but I will get back to you.  If you don't get a reply from me by the beginning of next week, (March 15) send me another email.

Until then, I hope you are all doing well and staying safe.  It does feel like life is starting to head in the right direction concerning this covid thing.  Stay safe and I hope we can all get back together again soon.

Happy 2021. Time for a FW tip!

 

Well, it's taken me a bit to get my Happy New Year message out, hasn't it?  You'd think I'd be johnny on the spot with no classes being taught and just sewing getting done.  But, that sewing has captured my days and I have really gotten a lot done.

Do you remember those 7 vintage quilts that I was given to finish up?  I'm down to the last one to quilt and if it weren't for the wedding quilt to finish for my grandson and his new wife, I'd have that last one done, too.  The wedding quilt is on the LA now and I should have it finished by the end of the month.  The wedding is on April 10th so I will be relaxed and ready for that celebration.

Did you get all your FWs oiled, greased and lubed back at the end of December?  If not, any day would be a good time to do that.  One thing that I find is pretty important to do is to put that little drop of oil in the bobbin race before you sew each day.  And, to be honest, I forget sometimes.  Of course, the sound of my machine reminds me so I keep a bottle of the Tri-Flow handy.  

But a problem you can have when you start to sew is that the oil you add could get on your bobbin thread and transfer to your sewing project.  We can't have that!  I've come up with a method to solve that problem.

First of all, don't squirt a ton of oil on that bobbin race.  A tiny drop, a 1/2 drop if it was possible is all you really need.  Wipe out any extra with a soft cloth if you happen to use too much.  But then, I always unthread the needle and sew a bit on my cotton stitch sample before I put the bobbin back in.  Once the bobbin is in, I retread the needle and sew a line or two to be sure no oil is going to transfer to my sewing project.

I know that sounds like a lot of work but really, it's what the Singer company recommends and it does make a huge difference in the way your sweet FW responds to you.  We want to keep our FWs happy, right?

So, I've gotten my second covid vaccine and feel comfortable now to teach a few maintenace classes.  We had to cancel one in November due to the increase in cases of covid. There are 3 classes in March and one still has a few openings.  If you need a class, call the Quilt Patch (517-423-0053) to get your name on the March 6th class.  That's a Saturday.  We only have 6 people in a class and there is plenty of space between each person.  

And, if your little FW is acting up, let me know.  I have been able to work on a few machines for people that have contacted me.  You don't want to miss a single day of sewing with your little jewel.  I've gotten a few machines for sale if you are interested and I'll always looking for more machines if you know of one someone is wanting to part with.

The August retreat/workshops are nearly full.  I'll get a message out to all those signed up very soon.  It's 6 months away but I know you all are probably ready for a FW get away just like me.  I'm looking forward to those get togethers.

So, have a good sewing day.  Don't let this snow get you down.  We should start getting warmer really soon and if you're like me, you'll be wanting to get out and about again very soon.  Let's hope the worst is over, we all get our vaccines and life resumes.  Have a good one, all.