Tuesday, June 19, 2012

My machines

When I began my journey as a quilter, I knew that I needed a machine, but I did not have one.  My aunt, who works for McCalls Quilts magazine, gave me my first machine, a Pfaff Hobby 4720.  This machine is named “The Workhorse” and he has served as my faithful steed within my journey as a quilter.  He has never broken down and has sewn through everything I have ever asked, including denim.  Why does it have a name you ask?  Well, I feel if I am going to swear at something or praise it, even if it is an inanimate object, it needs a name!  He (and I don’t know why it is a male persona) has helped make everything from quilt number one which resides in my in-law’s guest room to one that is hanging half-finished on my design wall waiting to find the right spark of inspiration to finish the design!  

However…"The Workhorse" has been replaced, but is not collecting dust.  I decided to upgrade in January 2012 to a newer model that can do more than just basic stitching so here is my new machine.  I got the Pfaff Q.E. 4.0.  THIS is my new “baby,” which is worth slightly more than my car. Insert sticker shock here.  I still have not figured out all it can do yet.  I’m just waiting for it to start sweeping the floor.  Interestingly enough, while writing this paper, the machine found its own name.  I realized that it looks similar to an old anvil, so his name is now “Ed-vil,” because “Ann-vil” sounds more like a girl’s name while the new machine is another male persona.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Baby Hoskinson

One of my dear college friends and his wife were expecting their first child.  Unlike most people, they did not find out the sex of their baby until the day he or she was born.  Being the crafty person I am, I decided to make the new one a quilt.  H. and his wife, A. said that their colors were greens and yellows, so I dug through my stash and this is what I created.  This is also the first quilt that was  quilted using my new machine!

The quilt was designed so that back and front could be "reversable."  The center of this side is a panel of letters and numbers with a green border.


This is the other side, which the main rectangle blocks are about 9" x 18."  I tried keeping the fabric unisex, and I think I did a good job for their baby girl!  Now to make them something fun in pink! :)