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Topics - Butterfly

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Sewing Machines / New Janome purchase
« on: July 06, 2021, 18:28:00 PM »
I ordered myself a new Janome 5060QDC  :sew: this morning and it's being delivered tomorrow  :dance: I have tried to do some free motion quilting and applique on my Janome J3-24 which is several years old, but when using my foot pedal it was either to slow or too fast, and despite attaching a block to the back of the pedal to try and regulate the speed, I haven't been able to attain any consistency. As free motion is difficult enough to master, I'm hoping that if I can set the speed, and not have to use the foot pedal, it will be one less thing to think about and hopefully will make a big difference. Also I wanted I wanted a wider range of stitches for applique work.

I'm retiring again (for the 2nd time  :rolleyes:) in a few weeks, so today over my morning cuppa I decided that as I haven't been anywhere or done anything for the last 18 months, it was time I had a treat, and this is it! To say I'm excited is a bit of an understatement lol.






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Sewing Machines / Janome J3-24
« on: April 02, 2021, 17:33:05 PM »
I have a Janome J3-24 about 8 or 9 years old (I know, I would love a new  :sew: ). I haven't used it a lot and never really explored what it will do until now. I'm having a go at applique and astounded to find there is no blanket stitch on it  :'( Has anyone with the same machine managed to do anything like a blanket stitch? I know I can do a zigzag, but it's a bit frustrating that I can't do what I want.

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Once you have put your fabric, wadding and backing together and pinned it, do you sew around the edge of your quilt to anchor it before doing the actual quilting?

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I've just recently bought several pieces of fabric, some 1/2 yds and some 1 yds, I didn't have anything in mind when I purchased them, just loved the colours and patterns when I saw them in the shop. (Maybe I have an inner Magpie  :). I know at some point they will get used, but do most of you go to the fabric shop with a plan and knowing what you're looking for, or are some like me and buy on impulse?

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Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / My First Quilt
« on: November 04, 2020, 22:23:58 PM »
Well I did it. I made my first quilt  :faints: It's supposed to be a lap quilt but is large enough to cover a single bed lol, it's a gift for my daughter and she loves it. I have to say I learned a lot along the way.
1. I should have started off with something small for my first attempt!
2. For my next quilt I will make a plan first, even though it's not really in my nature, I realise it's something I will have to get to grips with.
3. Sewing can be back breaking, and I need to learn to pace myself and not be in such a rush to finish the project.
4. Learning how to bind the quilt, and breaking into a huge smile when the ends joined successfully.  0_0
5. I didn't have a large enough hard surface to fasten the backing fabric to when making the quilt sandwich.
6. Sewing a straight line needs a lot of concentration lol.
7. Making something to give to someone you love is very satisfying.

I'm sure there are lots of things I've omitted, but nevertheless I thoroughly enjoyed the process and it's a journey I will be going on again soon.... but maybe with a smaller project  :thumbsup:

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Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Binding Width
« on: October 25, 2020, 12:05:39 PM »
Do you use a 2 1/2" or 2 1/4" binding for your quilts? Is it just a matter of preference, or is there a reason for the difference in width?

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I find it so frustrating when buying fat quarters. The colours and patterns draw me in to purchase them, then when I wash them I find the dark colours like blue and red bleed quite a lot. Does anyone else find this, and if so, what do you use these for as I'm reluctant to use them in any project that requires washing again. I suppose the obvious answer is don't buy fat quarters with dark colours, but sometimes it's hard to resist lol :rolleyes:

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Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Misshapen Fat Quarters
« on: October 10, 2020, 15:32:51 PM »
Whenever I buy material I always wash it to check if the colour will run. However, when it comes to cutting my fat quarters after I have I washed and ironed them, they are always misshapen. Is there any way to prevent this?

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Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Safety first
« on: September 30, 2020, 14:09:51 PM »
Despite buying a suction ruler grip so my hand doesn't slip, and a rotating cutting mat to make it easier and safer to cut out small shapes, I've still managed to slice the top of my finger this morning with a rotary cutter. I didn't know this was a dangerous sport!  :facepalm: I only hope I'll have all my fingers by the time I finish my current project lol.

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Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside / Not 100% cotton
« on: September 22, 2020, 17:30:44 PM »
I have a couple of yards of a nice plain cream fabric, however, it's 97% cotton and 3% polyester. I'd love to use it in a quilt, but it does have a bit of stretch! Could I get away with using it perhaps in something small, or should I stick to 100% cotton?

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Hi, I'm new... / Derbyshire gal here
« on: September 22, 2020, 08:50:04 AM »
Good morning everyone!  So happy to be here amongst you clever and experienced sewers. I've done a little sewing in the past and managed to gather material and all sorts of sewing aids. Having spent lockdown viewing youtube videos about all types of sewing, my mind is a muddle of what to do and where to start, and at the moment I feel like an artist afraid of a  blank canvas.  I'm interested in having a go at applique and quilting, and I know I should start with something small (though that's never stopped me from biting off more than I could chew in the past :)) Please bear with me as I have sooooo many questions.

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