Monday, August 30, 2010

Late Design Wall, etc.

I am very late in posting today. My design wall hasn’t changed since last week because I seem to have either not been sewing or I have been shoved off in another direction.


I got my “new” featherweight back this week and doesn’t she look great!


As I thought she only needed a few minor repairs to the electrical wiring and she is as good as new. So I spent some time setting up my paper piecing area and began relearning how to do it.


My first problem was that I needed to learn how to use this machine. I threaded it wrong and had to go online to find a picture of how the thread goes on this machine. Of course it is different from the machines I have! And I actually have to stick my head down in that little space to thread the needle, from the inside out. But we got her done.


The next learning part was the foot pedal.

You don’t just push down on it like I am used to, oh, no! You place your foot on the solid knob (right) and then twist or rotate your foot to press down on the button (left). That takes some getting used to.

But the hardest part of this machine is that when I reach up to touch the thread cutting button, it is not there. Every machine I have, except the HQ, cuts the thread, so I have reached for that darn button every time I need to cut the thread.

However, I did get 1/4th of my first block done, and this will be my “design table” for this week.

This will be a Carol Doak Radiant Star block, when the other three parts are done. And all I can say is that I am glad I like paper piecing because this was not easy. It’s not the pattern’s fault, it is definitely the sewer’s. I made almost every mistake that could be made but I am remembering and will do better on the next one. And, maybe, by January I will have this block made….ya think?

9 comments:

Mary said...

Congratulations on your "new" baby. I learned on a FW and it's still my favorite for precision piecing. Enjoy!
Mary

Thelma said...

Congratulations on catching a break on that Featherweight, lucky you! It sounds like it's an adjustment, but well worth it. I imagine you sit and smile at that machine the whole time. I love it!

kwiltnkats said...

I love Carol Doak's patterns. There is a good book available on FWs. PP is like riding a bike; if you have not done it in awhile a few attempts will have you going soon enough. Carol's patterns are pretty intense. Do you have her book of star patterns?

Twisted Quilts said...

I hope you will enjoy your Featherweight. I love mine although I don't use it all the time. It is a great machine to take with you to workshops etc. Do you have the book that goes with it?

Quiltdivajulie said...

Lovely start on that block - you can have my share of the paper piecing gene (that I don't have). Love the results, do not enjoy the process!

Pat said...

I love paper-piecing. Have fun with your "new" old machine.

Julie in the Barn said...

Lucky you with your "new" machine. Have fun!

Judy D in WA said...

I love your new machine!!! One of the 1st things I did was buy a new/modern foot. I have to remember to put the presser foot down. My D1 does that automatically. I still forget. :( Your block is great! I love pp-ing.

Todd Lidh said...

Featherweight my ass! That things is solid lead with some iron blocks for carrying fun.