My new Sewing Machine - Brother Innovis 50

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 It came yesterday morning.  Although the old machine is fairly new i.e. 3 1/2 years old I figured it's about time I got a computerised sewing machine.  I wanted some features that my old Singer Inspiration 4205 was not capable of.  After all it's a basic model without bells and whistles.

And since I'm doing so much sewing, I thought I'd make it more enjoyable.  And I was looking for some features like needle down, speed slider, drop feed dogs, etc.  I narrowed it down to 2 sewing machines.  The other was the Singer 988 Computermatic.  Frankly, I 'm quite partial to Singer since their pretty old hands when it comes to sewing machines.  But this model just did not feel right.

For one, there was hardly any write-up / reviews of this model on the internet.  Singer USA does not carry this model.  Although I am aware that certain models are only available regionally, the Singer 988 is nowhere in Singapore or Thailand either.  It's only available here in Malaysia!  I emailed the Singer regional manager in Singapore and he in turn passed the buck to the local sales manager.  It's been 7 days and no return email from either of them.  In fact a Singer dealer recommended another lower priced model when I enquired about the Singer 988.  She said the Singer 988 had some inherent problems.  Something is seriously wrong

Nevertheless, I tested the machine in a Singer shop nearby.  To their credit the sales people were quite obliging and knowledgeable.  They even opened a new box to demo the machine to me. It had all the feature of the Brother Innovis 50 (Innovis 80 for you people in the USA) and then some.  It had a throat space of 7 1/2"  which is wonderful. But after trying it out the upper thread tension was out of whack even when adjusted. 

I decided on the Brother sewing machine without testing it.  I read up on the reviews, website, forums, videos and made my decision based on that and of course the price being lower than the Singer 988 surely helped.  I've been playing with it and it's really looking good.  I want to explore the FMQ capabilities of the machine. The throat space of this model is 6 1/2", still better than my old one.  It has a built-in 1/4" feature for seams when piecing.  I had a good discount even with the extension table from a reputable dealer JP Doshi.  The service was good and the delivery prompt.

 Friendship Stars blocks still a work in progress.  Piecing these blocks were a breeze with the new machine :)

The Cheddar Bow-Tie quilt top is completed.  Love it to bits. It's 12 1/2" x 18 1/2". And it goes into the 'to be hand quilted' basket!

Online Christmas shopping!

Civil War reproductions by mostly Judie Rothermel and Jo Morton.  There's another package coming from This-N-That.  Couldn't resist their terrific Cyber Monday sale :)

 I've got some table toppers / runners in mind for these pre-cuts.

 

Fabric for binding my sis' cross stitched wall hanging.

 Some muslins and Kona fabric for dolls.  Right most is Kona Amber which will be my cheddar for Lori's Cheddar Cheese and Crackers. Again I was enjoying Fabric Shack's deep discounts on pre-cuts during Cyber Week.

 Purchases of a metal clamp make-do, heavy muslin for my future stitchery projects ;) , packets of crushed walnut shells and a strawberry emery kit from Bird Brain Designs.  They're having FREE shipping till Christmas! Can't beat that!

And I've only got a cushion cover to show for a finish this week.  Please ignore the points not meeting :p  Bad patchwork on my part.  I like the colours nevertheless.  May make another with CW reproduction fabrics!  I've got a red and green piece of Colonial Christmas collection by Judie Rothermel on the way ... amongst other fabrics ;)

I've got loads of projects lined up next year and I intend to revive some BAP cross stitch WIPs.  Gotta make my list.

Miniature Sampler SAL - WIP

Here are my fabric that I intend to use for Block 1 Clay's Choice of Cheryl's MSSAL.  Also you can see on the background is my market bag in progress.

The Great Pumpkin Challenge 2010 is coming along nicely with it's backing fabric.

Soot & Ashes - WIP

These 5-1/2" blocks are such a joy to work with.  It's a QAL by Cheri.

4 blocks down and 4 more to go to get caught up with the QAL!  There's another miniature sampler SAL being organised by Cheryl. And I think I will jump into that wagon too :)

Onto some cross-stitching.  I have joined Becky's 'The Great Pumpkin Challenge 2010'.  I intend to stitch that pumpkin in the Prairie Schooler pattern and finish it as a pin pillow.  Also this pin pillow will be the prize for the winner of 1800's Vintage Quilt QAL draw that I am organizing at SQT.  Better get going!

This will be my sewing project tomorrow.  I need a new market tote bag.  Sorry that the fabric is crumpled, haven't ironed it after washing.  It's Malaysia Day holiday tomorrow, so ... more crafting :)

Pyjama Shorts - Completed

The 4 shorts took a fairly short time to sew.  It's quite easy once you get a hang of it.  I added some details to an otherwise plain sewing.

Button for the back pocket

Twill/Linen tape loop for hanging

1/2" elastic in a 1" casing.  

The cotton fabrics were bought from local fabric store Nagoya.  They cost RM7/M and I needed 1.2M for each pair.

Sewing & Hand Quilting

I was sewing the hem of my first pair of shorts and it didn't meet up too well, creating a small fold.

 

I figured this is because I sewed the side seams and inseams prior to the hem.  Now I am adopting the following i.e. sew the side seams, hem and then sew the inseams.  Less grief this way.  Also I've reduced the hem to like 5/8".

For 2 pairs of the shorts, I've used french seams and the other two pairs will be taken to the shop this evening to be serged.  I was hesitant initially to use french seams, since they don't normally quite work with curves for the crotch seams, since it was only a slight curve I thought I'd give it a try.  Quite like it actually, not to  mention saving me a trip to the shop!  What's left are the elastic waist band and I'll be done :)

Hand Quilting

I've been toying with using flannel as a filler for my place mat and after much discussion on SQT, it may not be the best filler depending on your expectations as hand quilted stitches may not look good.  So as they say 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating'.  I've been quilting simple outlines of the hearts ... so far it looks not too shabby, we'll see how it behaves after a wash.

Pyjama Shorts - WIP

In the process of cutting fabric for 4 pairs of shorts.  It's a pattern from Heather Ross' book Weekend Sewing.  In the book the pattern is for a pair of pyjama pants.

The Sampler Gameboard & a Tilda Bag

Finally at 25%. This is going so slowly :(

Finished a Tilda bag for my sis. Lined with plain light peach fabric. KarenV if you're reading this, thanks so much for the fabric again, as you can see it's been put to very good use :)