The Sewing Place

Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Topics - Kenora

Pages: [1]
1
Tech Know How / Archive 'Today' threads
« on: October 07, 2022, 14:33:35 PM »
Can anybody tell me where the archived 'Today' threads have gone, please?

I haven't been on for a while and wanted to check a post from September but found I can't see any of September's Today threads. Then I realised I can't see any months other than the current October.

I've logged out and in again, cleared cache etc etc but to no avail. I've tried 'Unread posts' but nothing there. It seems (for me) that all posts in the Today section have disappeared, other than the current month.

Can anyone help me, please?

2
Tech Know How / Help needed with laptop
« on: January 23, 2022, 11:38:06 AM »
Don't know if this is the right place to post but maybe someone can help me?

My laptop has just developed faint horizontal lines on the screen which flicker intermittently. It's only 18 months old. (Win 10)

I've tried uninstalling and updating the video driver, have returned Windows to a previous version, and deleted any recently installed apps which may have been causing the problem. I've Googled the problem, which seems to be fairly common, but none of the "fixes" has made any difference.

I really don't want to have to shell out another £1000 for a replacement laptop, so - does anyone have any bright ideas please? :)

3
A Good Yarn / More help required - casting on!
« on: December 27, 2020, 13:48:34 PM »
I've bought a lovely cable scarf pattern on Ravelry, and I've taken delivery of some gorgeously soft 4-ply yarn which I will use in conjunction with a really fine silk mohair  :loveit: but I've fallen at the first hurdle! :rolleyes:

The pattern says to use the German Twisted Cast On to obtain a really stretchy edge. I've never tried this before so I Googled it and looked at lots of videos. So far, so good. It is evidently similar to the Long Tail Cast On - Sling Shot Method, which I've also never tried before. It didn't look too difficult to get my head around, so I made a start. That's where my problems began. Unfortunately, the arthritis in my fingers and thumbs is too severe to allow me to move them in the manner needed for either of these cast ons. :S I've tried over and over again but I just can't manipulate my hands - they're simply not flexible enough. So that's that.

My question from the knitters on TSP is:- Is there an alternative cast on which produces a really stretchy edge to the knitting? I already do the long-tail thumb cast on, and had considered a) using a bigger size needle, and b) leaving a small gap in between each stitch when casting on. But if anyone knows of a better, stretchier cast on I'd be very grateful for any information. Thanks all. :)

4
A Good Yarn / Help with knitting terms ... please!
« on: October 26, 2020, 21:47:41 PM »
Can anybody help me with some knitting terms, please? I've been knitting for lots of years but have come back to it after a lapse of many years. I've found a lovely scarf pattern on Ravelry which I'd like to make for myself but I've come a bit unstuck with one of the terms. (The pattern doesn't give a summary of the abbreviations.)

The second row has the instruction "... sk2tog psso ... " which I interpret as "slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over". So far, so good.

The next row has "... slk2tog psso ... " and it's this that I'm stuck on. The "l" is confusing me, and it's definitely an "l" and not a "1". I've googled "slk2tog" but nothing comes up. I believe it's American terminology but that shouldn't make any difference.

It's the Cable & Vine Lace Scarf and is a free pattern. It's the "slk" part which has me stumped. I feel I'm overlooking something obvious so if anybody can enlighten me I'd be very grateful. :)

I can link to the pattern if that would be any help.

5
I have two items for sale together:

A genuine Janome 1/4" Seam foot with Guide, suitable for Category A front loading machines (although I used it quite happily on my top loading Category B Janome).

As far as I can see the current RRP is about £15. The Janome Part No is 200330008. The pack has been opened, and the foot has been used once or twice.

The second item is a Generic Embroidery/Free Motion Quilting foot, with a built-in spring. Current  RRP I believe to be about £4.99. There is no packaging as it just arrived in a jiffy bag.

I would like £7.50 for both + p&p. Please pm me if you are interested.
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

6
This is a genuine Janome Convertible Even Feed/Walking Foot Set - not just the walking foot.

The set includes an Even Feed (Walking) Foot with Closed Toe, a Convertible Open Toe Foot (which just clips on and off) for extra visibility, a clip-on Ditch Quilting Guide and an Adjustable left/right Quilting Guide.

As far as I can see, the RRP of this set is £49 On EBay or £65 on Hobkirks' website.

It fits Category B top loading bobbin machines. The pack has been opened but the foot has had very light use. It is Janome Part No: 214517004

I would like £20 + p&p. Please pm me if you are interested.
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  
  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

7
Sewing Spaces and Furniture / Kenora's new sewing room
« on: October 12, 2019, 21:05:32 PM »
I christened my new sewing room this afternoon so I thought I'd put a few photos on here, especially as I've been talking about it so much but with no actual evidence of its existence! It's only very small but it's my own space, to do with as I will. :)

The first photo shows my sewing desk on the left, re-purposed from a computer desk my dad made me many years ago but out of good solid wood. We chopped it about a bit and extended it sideways to house my overlocker. After a quick varnish the desk will last for years to come. The cabinet on the right was also made by my dad when I was a teenager. It's his version of a Horn cabinet and, again, I keep it for sentimental reasons (and also because I have to keep the printer and scanner on something). The wall units were bought from a charity shop for £10 each, and I spent hours sanding and repainting them. I'll fill them with junk useful items once I've settled in properly. Storage for stash/patterns etc is in boxes under the desk and in the sewing cabinet. The desk is rather crowded at the moment because I still have my Bernina 570 sitting behind my 720. I suspect the 570 will have to go. :S

  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

Looking at the other end of the room, I have my mum's old sewing cabinet (which Dad made for her when they were first married). It now has my Sissix cutter on top but I've kept the cabinet for sentimental reasons (again). The large cupboard isn't mine unfortunately. It houses filing cabinets and shelves filled with cat supplies!

  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

The window is West facing so I get afternoon sun, which is nice because that's when I do most of my sewing. I chose a dark venetian blind so that if we have a hot summer I can block out most of the heat (who am I kidding?). I also put in a new LED light fitting for maximum illumination. There will be a small white chest of drawers in front of the radiator when I've recruited DH to help me put it back in the room. It stores more of my stash and all sorts of other goodies essential items. There will just be enough room for me to put up an ironing board beside the chest so DH has kindly installed an extra electrical socket at waist height for me.

  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]  

So that's my new sewing space - small but all mine. It seemed very strange to be sewing in there this afternoon but I'm sure I'll get used to it. I'll probably re-arrange things as I go along but it's nice to have (almost) everything in one room. I still need to find a way of storing all my quilting rulers, plus I have a vintage wooden cabinet which houses all my threads - that has to stay in the spare room because it's too big to come into my sewing room. But that's a minor complaint. I'm happy that this room has finally been created, after talking about it for years. :)


8
Embroidery Machines / Embroidery Modules
« on: July 28, 2019, 18:52:22 PM »
I'm swithering about adding an embroidery module to one of my Bernina sewing machines. I'm particularly looking at using embroidery either as centrepiece designs for quilt blocks, or possibly, to help with quilting itself. Not sure about that last bit or how practical it would be?? :S

I think I'd probably go for the module for the larger of my machines, which is a 7 Series. Although it would be more expensive, it would also give me a bigger hoop (I think), which I feel would be better.

Does anybody have any thoughts/recommendations/warnings (?) about adding an embroidery module to a normal sewing machine please?

9
I have a vintage Passap M201 Knitting Machine with Ribber Attachment (1950's/1960's). I inherited it from my grandmother many years ago and, although I did use it for quite a few years, it's been in my loft for a long time and I'd like to find a good home for it now.

I'm posting to judge if there's any interest in the machine. I'm attaching photos so you can see what it will look like - these are not my photos - they're just for information - mine is probably very dirty - but as far as I can tell, I have pretty much everything that's shown, including the instruction book and the original receipt. I also have a number of vintage patterns specifically for this machine.

If anybody is interested, I will get DH to bring the machine down from the loft so that I can take photos. It will need a good clean and an oiling, at the least. I know collection probably won't be possible as I'm in Cornwall, but it's not electrical or electronic or computerised so it should travel OK. I'd be happy to package it up and organise a carrier, so would just be looking to be compensated for delivery costs. I'd estimate about £25 - £30 but please don't quote me on that because I haven't weighed the machine yet.

I really just want to see it going to a good home, as it holds good memories for me, and I can't just dispose of it. So if anybody is interested, please pm me.

10
Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / 1/4" Seam Guide
« on: March 04, 2018, 14:32:38 PM »
Morgan posted a "long length adjustable seam guide" in Machine Accessories. It sounded interesting so I followed her link. It was advertised as being suitable for Featherweight machines but would fit any machine that had the correct two holes on the needle plate. I read through the comments on the website that people had made about the accessory, and somebody said they'd bought it for their Bernina 550qe (which is similar to my 570qe) and it fitted fine - so I've ordered it. :)

I didn't expect the site to deliver to the UK as it's in Texas, but when I went to the checkout they stated that carriage to the UK was included in the price ($13.75) and that I would get my guide in 2-3 weeks. It shouldn't attract Customs Duty as the value is under £15. Fingers crossed. :[

I want to use it for a 1/4" or scant 1/4" seam, so I'll let you know how it works once I receive it. I've tried all sorts of other ways to achieve an accurate seam - some sort-of work, and some work for a while (like post-it notes that eventually lose their stickiness), so we'll see how this one does. -<

11
Current Projects / Simple Quilt
« on: February 07, 2018, 21:59:31 PM »
I've just finished this quilt which has been sent to Project Linus. It was mostly made with offcuts bought from EBay and backed with a duvet cover bought from a charity shop. I did simple, straight-line echo quilting and joined the blocks using the QAYG method.  :)

12
In the wardrobe / Style Arc Katherine pants
« on: October 30, 2017, 14:09:00 PM »
I've been looking for a pattern for classic fit trousers for quite some time now. I had this one saved in my Favourites to look at later but saw that several members on here rated Style Arc quite highly :D so I've bitten the bullet and ordered the PDF.

Now comes the boring part of printing and sticking almost 40 pattern pieces together. :S I've also got to sort out some fabric for a toile but, meanwhile, does anyone have any experience of using this pattern?

ETA: not sure if I posted this in the right place - should it have gone in Patterns & Fitting?

13
Hi, I'm new... / Woohoo! - I'm a member at last
« on: October 01, 2017, 17:31:59 PM »
I used to lurk on TSF - then just as I was going to register - it disappeared! After a while I found TSP and did lots more lurking. Eventually I found the courage to register at the end of July but heard nothing for a couple of months, despite sending a couple of "nudging" emails. (Maybe it's because I wasn't on Facebook.) So anyway I joined FB, registered here again and - lo and behold - I'm now a member. Hooray! I've been doing so much back reading of posts that I feel I know a lot you lovely people already. :D

A bit about me - I learnt to sew on a Singer treadle when I was young, and made all my own clothes when I was in my 20's, but didn't discover a real passion for sewing until I retired and needed something to fill my time. Now I sew most days (on modern machines - don't have the room for vintage) - unless the sun is shining in which case the garden/greenhouse pulls me outside. I indulge in P&Q and dressmaking - and try to share my time equally between the two - loving every minute of it.

I also belong to the charity group, Loving Hands, so mostly donate my sewn and crocheted makes to the various different charities they support, although there have been a few requests from family too which is always great fun. I don't believe in cobbling things together because "it's just for charity" so I put maximum effort into everything I sew - even if sometimes it doesn't turn out exactly as I'd hoped. :'(

I keep saying I'll make stuff for me but never seem to get round to it, mainly because I'm always looking to start the next exciting project, preferably with a new technique or two thrown in. I love learning something new (you're never too old) so I'm looking forward to being inspired
by the members of this wonderful forum.

Pages: [1]