A Stocking Trio!

        I have been thinking. We are looking into buying a house and that house could have a fireplace. And if there is a fireplace I may need stocking for everyone. It would be time consuming and tedious and just plain difficult at times, I still think a could of cute stockings hanging over our quaint fireplace would be the perfect look to our first Christmas in our first home. I have decided that each would be a little different, colour scheme-wise, but the same pattern. I have already added a penguin, maybe I will do a rocking horse or something next time. Another classic toy at least.

Evolution & Change

        This year feels like a year of change, a year of personal evolution, as a designer, as an artist, as an adult.  Although I write a lot, and talk a lot for that matter, I feel like I have been struggling to find my voice.  I have yet to figure out how to express what I have to say in my art, maybe because I am still not sure what I am trying to say. Yeah maybe that's it.

Sick

        I am so sick tonight. My head is practically splitting open with this head ache. So I am calling it on account of illness. I hoped to finish the main part of the stocking tonight but I will likely not unless this headache clears.

So freaking inspired right now!

        Last night I was seriously just about to fall asleep then BAM! An idea, no an image really, hit me. It flashed through my mind. So vivid was this vision that I had to get up out of bed. I ran over to the dresser and found a pen to write and draw it all down. And that was just the start, all day little ideas kept popping into my head. Luckily I have a job that allows me to work at my own pace and whenever I do have a random thought I am able to take my time to record it. 

        I am so inspired that I am thinking about breaking my start what you finish rule already. This bear stocking is taking me forever to finish. The tree is almost finished but I would still have to do the lettering the accents and the whole background. At this rate I will never get it finished. Oh well we will see how long I can hold out.

A point to consider....

         I have discovered a wonderful sewing store called Giroux Sewing Centre. A family run business, apparently they have two different locations a retail and a liquidation house Only drawback to the liquidation house, it is closed on weekends, so weekday trips only. Offering a variety of classes and tune-up services, it seems to be a complete one stop shop. I have spoken to Paul and Brad, owner and technician prospectively, and both were extremely helpful and informative. Although it is pretty fair this maybe the place I go buy my next machine at because I have been told they sell pre-owned industrial machines at great prices. I will have to save up my pennies but when I do I will be driving down to get a look myself.

DreamWeaver Innov-is VQ3000 pros/cons

The DreamWeaver is the last machine I am considering. Here is a list of the machine's specifications. It is a lot more detailed than the ones found on the Janome site. 

Basic Features 

LCD Size (Horizontal x Vertical) inches	3.6 x 6.0
Display (Number of Colours)	260,000
Stitch Select	Touch Panel
Opening Screen	Yes
On-Screen Help	Yes
Built-in Languages	Yes
On-Screen Editing	Yes
Lighting	LED 10" Lighting
Workspace Table	Yes
Number of Needles	1
Needle Threading System	Automatic
Thread Tension	Automatic
Easy Bobbin Winding	Yes
Adjustable Bobbin Winding Speed	Yes
Thread Sensor	Upper and Bobbin
Automatic Thread Cutter	Yes
Quick Set™ Bobbin	Yes
Built-in Memory	Yes
Full USB	1
Computer Connectivity with Update Capability	Yes
Mouse Capability by USB	Yes
Media Type	USB

Sewing Features

Bed Area (depth x width) inches	7.7 x 15.6
Work Space (height & width) inches	5.0 x 11.25
MuVit™ Digital Dual Feed	Yes
Sew Straight™ Laser Vision Guide	Yes
Maximum Sewing Speed (stitches per minute)	1,050
Knee Lifter	Yes
Feed Dog	7
Back to Beginning Key	Yes
Standard Presser Feet Included with Machine	13
Built-in Sewing Stitches (Includes Buttonhole Styles)	561 (531 Built-in and 30 on CD)
V-Sonic™ Pen for sewing	Yes
Buttonhole Styles	14 One-step
Built-in Sewing Lettering Fonts	6 (Including 3 Japanese Fonts)
Stitch Width	7mm
Stitch Length	5mm
My Custom Stitch™ Feature	Yes
Side Feeding	Yes
Start/Stop Button	Yes
Speed Controller	Yes
Twin Needle Setting Key	Yes
Needle Position Key (Up/Down)	Yes
Automatic Height Adjuster™ AHA® Feature	Yes
Presser Foot Pressure Adjustment	Yes
Presser Foot Leveling	Yes
Automatic Presser Foot Lifter	Yes
Pivot Function	Yes
Free Motion Quilting Foot	Yes
Included Quilting Feet	Yes
Wide Table	Yes
Specialty Feet Included	Yes

Embroidery Features
Built-in Memory	Yes

Carton Contents 

Accessory Storage	Yes
Wide Table	Yes
Foot Controller	Yes (Multi-function foot controller available for additional purchase)

Other 

Warranty	25 year limited warranty
Machine Dimensions (cm W x D x H)	57.1 x 28.4 x 33.2
Machine Weight (Kg)	15.2
Shipping Weight (Kg)	26.5

Product Brochure

 

Pros 

• Everything - most feature, most stitches, most buttonholes, most everything.

Cons

• PRICE - you get what you pay for right, at a whooping 3299$ on sale 4099$ regularly, this is the most expensive machine but apparently will last a lifetime. Which is why I kinda of want it.

Kidnappary

        Yesterday I did not post as I was swept away at the last minute to an undisclosed country location that had no internet. Arriving home after midnight and extremely tired I figure I would just make it up to you guys with an extra post today. Basically a post explaining what happened and a post about the last machine I am considering. To make up for yesterday here is an awesome picture of fat penguin, a favourite of mine.

Janome 8900 Pros & Cons

        

        Introducing the Janome 8900, a beautiful new machine with a ton of features. You can find the detailed product brochure here .

Features of the Janome 8900 (Taken off the Janome website)(my favourites highlighted in yellow)

• Computerized Sewing Machine
• Full rotary hook bobbin
• free arm/ flat bed convertiable
• opening face plate
• Carrying handle
• Horizontal spool pin
• Accessory storage under the top cover and in the extension table
• Dimensions - 519 mm x 316 mm x 230 mm
• Weight - 12.3 kg
• Workspace - 280 mm x 120 mm
• Start/Stop button
• Max sewing speed - 1000 SPM
• Touch panel / jog dial selection
• LCD screen 67.2 mm x 33.6mm
• 15 languages
• Automatic thread tension
• Auto-declutch bobbin winder
• 7 piece feed dog 

Pros

• Fast then the 8200
• Very lightweight
• Multiple languages

Cons

• More expensive 2399$ at the cheapest.
• Jog dial, I am concerned it could break down
• No mention of how many lights it uses

Janome 8200 Pro & Cons

 

        Introducing the Janome 8200, a beautiful new machine with a ton of features. You can find the detailed product brochure here .

Features of the Janome 8200 (Taken off the Janome website)(my favourites highlighted in yellow)

• Fully computerized with free-arm
• Extra long 280mm (11”) arm space
• 224 built-in stitches including alphabets
• 9mm stitch width
• Sews up to 860 s.p.m.
• 7 Styles of auto 1-step buttonholes
• Pattern elongation - up to 5 times
• Information screen with jog dial selection
• Jam proof drop-in bobbin
• Variable stitch width and length
• Automatic tension
• Auto needle threader
• Auto thread cutter
• Easy change needle plate
• Built-in AcuFeed system
• Superior 7 piece feed dog for precise feeding
• Drop feed for freehand work
• Maximum speed controller
• One touch slow function
• Needle up / down facility
• Auto-lock stitch feature
• Start / stop button
• Presser foot safety device
• Adjustable foot pressure
• Twin needle regulator
• 5 white LED lights
• Worldwide voltage

Pros

• Price - This is the least expensive of all three machines coming in around 1899.00$ cdn.
• Multiple 1-step button hole features.
• Lightweight and portable

Cons

• This machine has the least amount of features and stitches. 
•  Not as heavy duty as the other two machines. 

What do you guys think?

Calling all sewing specialists

        This year I have several major sewing projects I want to complete and I am sitting here looking at my 12 year old Kenmore realizing although a pretty good little machine, it's just that, a little machine. I have grown out of it as a seamstress. Thus, I have begun the search for a new all purpose, everyday sewing machine; and in this endeavour ... I am having the hardest time. Every store I call recommends a different machine.

 

        In the past I have worked with a few different brands, Brother (Dual Denim - which was garbage to be honest- lent it to my sister and it got lost in a move and I didn't cry) Kenmores (two machines - the 12 year old one I use now that ever worked the way I wanted it to and a classic solid steel baby that could sew through a car hood!) a vintage singer in a sewing table(rodiron and gorgeous work wonderfully for straight stitching and possibly button holes but that is all. It is really more of a show piece) 2 sergers (a Kenmore bought at the same time as the 12 yr old Kenmore machine - who now has a new home with my sister-in-law -  and worked the same, and my new Singer serger, which is fan-freaking-tastic to work with). But now I am looking for something more.

 

        Automatic button holes and thread cutter. Something to lock in stitching. With a free arm, wide work space. Maybe computerized with decorative stitches. Good walking foot for stretch material. 7 piece feed-dog system and a lot of illumination. With stitch range. Yeah that is what I want. But where what brand? What Machine? Three have come to light, 

 

Janome MC8200 

Janome MC8900

 

Brother DreamWeaver  VQ3000

 

 

So what do you think? Anyone have experience with any of these high recommended machines?  I am not sure myself but I will spend the rest of the week writing about what I like about each machine.  

Blog postponed on account of game

I went to the Sens game tonight and I am pretty exhausted. I got home pretty late and need to get up early for work tomorrow, so this is about all the post you guys are going to get tonight. But you can look forward to sewing machine talk tomorrow. Although my serger is freaking gorgeous to work with, I am looking into getting a new machine with an automatic buttonholer. Stay tuned....

Almost done!

So the stocking is pretty close to being done, I will likely be finished by the end of week. The next project that I will be undertaking is a sweater as I mentioned before. I have never actually knitted a sweater before. You would think that would have been the first things as I have knitted so many different items but no. I have never knitted a sweater. Here is a reminder of the sweater I will be knitting and a picture of the yarn I will actually be using.

 

Itching to move on!

Okay, I know that I just stated a few days ago that I am going to finish what I start. And I am going to, I swear but I am seriously itching to move on to the next project. I have decided it is going to be a sweater. I went to Michael's today and picked up dark navy floss to finish my stocking, (I decided to do a dark night sky instead of white background which will take even longer but oh well) while I was there I picked by some yarn for the sweater so I am pretty anxious to get started. It is a cherry res, totally my colour. I have even knit an entire sweater so I really want to get that off my bucket list, for lack of a better term.

I can Bearly believe it.

I finished the bear today. And now I am using cheap puns. Well what do you expect? I am tired from all the detailed stitch work. Okay that is a cop out but you guys will let me off the hook if I post a picture of the cute bear right?

The progress, she is slow.

I have been on vacation until today. I know, Wow that was long, but that's the government for you right? Anyway, even with all this time off and spending at least 2-3 house a day working on my cross-stitched stocking, Santa Bear isn't even finished yet. I have spent at least 20 hours so far. This just reinforces in my mind that 12 big projects is the way to go this year.

The decision has been made!

It took some time but I have decided that I will be doing 12 major projects this year. One at a time, one after the other. I usually flit from one project to the next and back again if I get blocked or frustrated. This year I am going to focus on finishing what I start. I will not start another project until I finish the one I am currently working on. Even if I run out of supplies, that's the goal. It is probably going to suck but I think it is something I have to learn to do.

Fashion House Dreams

I watched "Mrs.Arris goes to Paris" starring Angela Lansbury. (spoilers are included in the rest of this post, warning you all now.) It is about a widowed British women who,  after years of saving, travels to Paris on a mission to buy a Dior dress. Many obstacles stand between poor little "Mrs.Mops" and her dress but eventually justice prevails. It a beautiful little story about how kindness and dreams can improve so many lives. If have never seen it I suggest you take a look. 

Now although I am recommending watching this movie that really isn't the point or focus of this post. I actually wanted to talk about Mrs.Harris' experience viewing the Dior collection. Daily viewings of the newest collection in this lavish fashion house. By invitation only. People vying for a spot for privileged to simply view the garments. And the those lucky enough to buy a dress get fitted until it is right. Three weeks for a dress with an artist and an assistance. I swear that is the dream. Now I am no Dior, I won't even kid myself, but that is okay. I have my own voice. Definitely more punk, which will likely never be view the way I have just described but that's okay. That's okay.