Problem with Machine

Hmmm ............ was only saying the other day how there's nothing wrong with my machine

I have noticed that there is there appears to be a groove worn in the casting at the bottom (left hand side - you might need to click on the pic to see it clearer) of the take up lever slot and metallic/rayon threads are wearing thus breaking on this groove.  There are a couple of other chips in the casting but I had put this down to perhaps broken needles flying off or something.

The dealership has said this morning that they have never seen this before and that a new casting would probably cost more than a new machine.  We (I don't drive) could take it in to them to have a look but it's a day out and a lot of petrol so before we do has anybody else come across this before or have any suggestions?  It's 9 year old Bernina 1008 and I bought it new.

Any help/advice/suggestions greatly appreciated

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"kitty Boutique" Baby Changing Bag

I promised to make a baby changing bag for my husband's niece ................ it's nearly finished ..............  I hope she likes it.

I only had enough of two different fabrics with enough co-ordinating fabric without buying anything else ............. luckily she liked this one from the "Paris Cats" range by Bernertex.  The design was handy for quilting too.

I had planned to design something myself but family heath issues have kind of gotten in the way of creative thinking these last few weeks so I used a free online tutorial for the Hip Mama Diaper Bag which I found very easy to follow.  There are loads of pockets, inside and out ...........

The main fabric is all quilted whilst all the lining fabrics are iron-on interfaced and I substituted velcro for the main fastenings as I think it might be more practical than fiddling about doing up snaps for a busy mum.

Something Smaller

A pretty fabric, chosen especially for the dusky pink and cream flowers on black ................ cut into strips and started to work into a coiled fabric bowl.  After working just a couple of inches I realised that there was too much cream and I really didn't like the effect but what to do?  Discard and use a different fabric but then what to do with all the cut strips?  Overdying the strips would fray the fabric a lot hmmmmm ............ carry on .....................

and then dye the finished bowl ..................

to end up with something else to cross off last years list .............

I think that's probably it for this week.  Thankyou for all your lovely comments on my blind.

Well it's up ..................

My "Chelsea", all blue, roman blind (an extension of Kaffe Fassett's Jewel Squares in Glorious Patchwork)

It's lined in white so the daylight filters through the paler fabrics ..................

 
It was hard work ............. right to the end.  The law of averages is that if there is maneuverability in something then there's going to be movement.  I did start to quilt it but changed my mind ............... it was too difficult getting the fabrics to lay flat together without shifting and looks better up without the stitching anyway.  I'm really pleased and feel so much lighter having got up this morning knowing that there was nothing further to do to it!
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Excitement in the House

I am still fiddling about with the patchwork blind but in the meantime Clothworks had a little giveaway of some small sample swatches from their new "Toy Poodle" fabric range.  It was as much a personal challenge to turn these little bits of fabric into something worthwhile.  I am pleased with the baby bibs but I was delighted to see their blog post today.

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Quilts 1700-2010 at the V&A

Yesterday we set out for the "Quilts" exhibition at the V&A.  Ok, I was aware beforehand that photos were prohibited and that I wouldn't be able to touch stuff but, from a stitchers point of view, I was maybe expecting a feast for the eyes ..................... I was somewhat disappointed.

It was interesting and am glad I went but it would have been nice to have had a closer view of many of the exhibits.  Whilst I realise that some of the quilts had been purposely displayed in the manner in which they had originally intended to be seen (ie. on a bed some feet away)  ................... it would have been nice to have seen them in more detail if one wished.  It was rather tantalising for the blurb to explain about recycling ordinary household fabrics and using the printed endcloth from a bolt for one particular patch when you couldn't actually see it.

My husband, more aware of the goings on around me as I attempted to ingest what I could, says that many people were saying the same ................. they wanted a closer look and, in particular, one wheelchair bound elderly lady was having great difficulty seeing much at all.  So, in my humble opinion, unless you are happy to view textiles from a stately home style vantage point you may well be disappointed .............. I just feel a bit cheated.


I saw these kantha style quilted chappies in the shop ...........

and I have made a decision.  I am going to flat quilt my patchwork ................ by hand.  When I have finished removing all the papers.  I can sit, at leisure, maybe watching a bit of TV even at the same time.  Thankyou all for all your lovely comments!
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A Milestone

Amidst the cold breeze outside, I have managed to get a decent pic with the help of my husband ........................

To say I am delighted to have got to this stage before Easter is probably an understatement.  Approximately 200 hours, 3000m of thread and a colossal amount of fabric  I still have decisions to make as to how exactly I am going to convert it into a blind .............. getting some of the seams to lay flatter is top of the list and, thanks mum, your suggestion that I could always cut it up and make cushions whilst practical is not what I wanted to hear lol!

For now, I have lots and lots of household duties to catch up on and, hopefully, the family can look forward to more dinners of the usual standard!

Happy Easter Everyone

and for those who don't celebrate Easter

Have a Nice Weekend
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