Quilting is Done

 This looks pretty cool, if I do say so myself. For someone who usually gets out the walking foot and does some kind of straight line design, this feels pretty good.

I still have to trim and bind it. I think I'm going to use a spring green for the binding. That's the color of thread I used in the background zigs.

I used thread that matched the zigs to do the quilting. I decided it was OK if you could see different colored threads on the back.

It's not perfect, but it's done!

...and I think I'm finally giving in. I've been wanting a more portable sewing machine for taking around. My sister has a featherweight that's very cool, but I didn't want to spend $300 for a second machine. I started looking around again online, and found a few small machines, but none of them got reviews that made me think they would last. My current machine is a Bernina 801 Sport. It's the one I bought in about 1988. It was designed to be a machine used in Home Ec classes, so was simple but sturdy. It's all mechanical and I've been able to oil it, clean it and keep it going.

The newer small machines are too flimsy looking for me. A few years ago I spent about $90 on a small machine and it was just crap. Today I was looking at the anniversary edition of the Singer Featherweight. It's about $400 and looks kind of cool, but I want something that sews a straight stitch and does it well.

I looked on ebay for an old featherweight, and there are plenty of them, but they'd have to be shipped, and if they don't work they'd have to be returned, yada, yada, yada.

I finally searched for Singer Featherweight Colorado, and lo and behold on Craig's list there was on listed for $180. I looked at the pictures, it looks good. It's not in pristine condition, it looks like it has been used. I didn't want a collectible, I wanted a machine that will sew, and sew well. I called the person who listed the machine, and he is the one who refurbishes them...I'm going to buy it on Saturday! YAY! It's a 1955, and I was born in 1954, so I think it's new enough for me.