Sunday, October 14, 2012

bells and whistles

We've been looking at cars lately. SUVs, actually, since we need something with room for the six of us and all of our stuff and we don't want another minivan. Not because it's a minivan, but because our Honda Odyssey doesn't have the clearance to get out of parking lots around here without scraping.

You know that point where you have to like what you have because you already have it? Now we're at the point where we can decide what we're not living with anymore. Mostly that's the non-existent ground clearance. There's also been a lot of talk about bells and whistles and what we want and don't want.

Mostly I don't care. I don't like huge blind spots and I don't want something with a 6" lift on it. Other than that, I'll go with whatever Hubby falls in love with. Or decides will suit our purposes.

My Janome threw a bit of a tantrum while I was freemotion quilting on Friday, skipping stitches and snagging the darning foot under those stitches and breaking threads... Now I'm daydreaming about my next sewing machine. I have to put up with this one because she's what I own, but I'm determined to outlive her and move on to something I like better. Something that isn't computerized and that doesn't have so many bells and whistles I never use.

Can you freemotion quilt with one of the old mechanical machines?

Weekly Stash Report

Fabric Used this Week: 1 1/2 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 55 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 446 yards
Net Added for 2012: 391 yards

Yarn Used this Week: 0 yards
Yarn Used year to Date: 940 yards
Yarn Added this Week: 0 yards
Yarn Added Year to Date: 3900 yards
Net Added for 2012: 2960 yards

To see more weekly stash reports, click over to Patchwork Times.

7 comments:

Quilty Conscience said...

http://www.conniekresin.com/ Connie does gorgeous free motion on older, non computerized machines.

QuiltinLibraryLady said...

Good luck with the car search. Maybe it's easier if you're looking at new instead of used like I am. To my mind they're all over priced. I'm looking at smaller SUVs and like modern sewing machines they have way to many electronics and bells & whistles. The seller thinks the more of that there is the higher the price should be, but to me it's just stuff to go wrong. And what's the deal with sunroofs? Dealers think they are a big selling point, but they are exactly what I DON'T want. Sooner or later they will leak and ruin the headliner. I think I want what doesn't exist anymore.....a reasonably priced small SUV that sit a little higher so I can get in & out of it without a cherry-picker.

krisgray said...

Definitely check out Connie's blog given above. She does great work on her old Singers. Good luck on the car hunt!

Amy of While Wearing Heels said...

Best of luck with your car hunt. Sorry to hear that your Janome was misbehaving :). I loved seeing your weekly stash report. What interesting stats. You are a serious crafter and creator.

Timestep said...

I love our Honda Pilot - but I will admit that while I love the 8 belts, you can either use the last row of seats or have room for stuff - but not both.

I hated our expedition because I couldn't see people next to the car easily. A backup camera would have helped.

As for free motion - I took a class with Harriet Hargrave and I only had my grandmothers 1960s Kenmore to use. It worked great!

Denise :) said...

I'm just going to be honest and say that your stash report makes me feel infinitely better. LOL!! :) All three of my sisters (all of whom had three or more children) had Suburbans or Expeditions and were very satisfied with their choices. I'd prefer the Ford over the Chevy, but that's just me. What do I know? I drive a PT Cruiser! LOL! Good luck! :)

Virginia said...

Yes you can free motion quilt on a vintage sewing machine. I recently purchased a Singer 15-91 in a very 3 draw cabinet for $95. It is a straight stitch machine but is one that I can service myself. I've even taken the bobbin apart. I have a very expensive sewing machine but the Singer will now be my quilting machine. Check out quiltingboard.com forum, Vintage Sewing & Antique Machine Enthusiasts for additional information. I will not be purchasing another computerized machine again if my current one dies.

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