September is probably one of the most loved months of the year.
We turn the page on our calendar and poof! Right before our eyes summer’s lush green begins it’s transition to shades of gold, red, yellow and brown.
Last season’s oppressive heat is forgotten, the days grow shorter and the empty dates on that new calendar page are quickly filled with all the great events September is known to offer.
So, let’s dive in and discover what is so special about the month of September!
- It’s my birth month; (Read on to see how I celebrated!)
- It marks the beginning of Fall,
- The Sweater Weather Sampler SAL is underway,
- September is also the month where quilters and sewists can celebrate with National Sew a Jelly Roll Day and
- National Sewing Month.
Sweater Weather Sampler SAL
Shown above are the first three blocks (out of nine) from this year’s SWS SAL. From left to right: Speckled Maple designed by Rachel of sewjoyfulstudio.com; Sewing Circle designed by Emily of patchworkrevivalstudios.com and Snug Shroom by Abby of abbymaed.com
I’m having so much fun with this one! If you like what you see, it’s not too late to join! The link above will take you directly to the Nine Patch Collective page on Circle.
National Sew a Jelly Roll Day
This year I decided to celebrate the day a little differently. Typically, I go for a quick and easy table runner, lap quilt or wall hanging. Since this seems to be my “Let’s do things I never thought I’d do” era, embarking on making a jelly roll rug seemed to fit right in.
Below are images of the process:
I have to admit I’m rather proud of how, by pure accident, I created a perfect set up for the batting and fabric rolls. I took a look at the legs under my Sew Steady extension table and thought they needed to be a bit more productive!
Once the strips were attached about a quarter of the way, I had a nice rhythm established and before I knew it, the rug was done!
National Sewing Month Bargains
You may recall from a couple of my previous posts my ongoing lamentations on how I dislike quilting. Not the designing, piecing, etc., but the actual quilting the quilt sandwich.
It is from that dislike that contemplated another first – the purchase of a long arm quilting machine.
I studied, researched, compared, discussed and researched every mid-sized and compact long arm within my budget.
With my mind, at least 98% made up, made the momentous decision to seriously consider investing in the Janome Versa Pro 20. Handi Quilter’s Amara ST was running a very close second.
With a tape measure in hand, marking out a space for the ‘machine of my dreams’, a wave of light washed over me. The light bulb of bright ideas was on! And boy, was it bright! So bright, it wasted no time showing me the exact quilting problem I needed to solve.
It had nothing to do with any machine – not my domestic or a long arm.
True, a long arm set up on a 10′ – 12′ frame would very possibly forever solve the quilting dilemma I continuously find myself. However, A) I don’t have the space and B) I don’t have the desire to learn how to use one. Then, let’s suppose for half a minute that I did have the space and desire to learn, that would inevitably lead to C) Should I offer long arm services to the public? Short answer: Not in this lifetime.
The problem I needed to solve was how to increase the surface area around my machine.
I took a close, nonjudgmental look at the compact long arm and I could not move past the abysmally small surface area around the machine. I stood there visualizing the compact long arm situated along the wall and what I actually saw was a SMALLER work surface than I was already wrestling with. A different machine would in no way improve anything. The lack of surface area sufficient to support a quilt would still be present. Sure, I’d have a nice, new machine but at the end of the day, I would probably still hate quilting!
It Pays to Pay Attention
On a whim I decided to take another look at sewing cabinets. With September being National Sewing Month, ads for all things sewing related are everywhere.
Enter Missouri Sewing Machine Company and Koala Sewing furniture.
A short trip north (five to seven minutes) and 30 minutes or so with a very knowledgeable associate, I made, what I think will be one of the best purchases I’ve made so far year, a Koala Quilter’s Vision Sewing Cabinet with Companion Cabinet.
Stay tuned – this should arrive in 2-3 weeks. When it does, I will be sharing my experience with this sewing cabinet. Fingers crossed this is THE sewing cabinet to change my attitude toward quilting.
Look at all that surface area to the left of the machine! And the extension across the entire back! THIS is what I’ve been needing. The perfect cabinet, perfect dimensions and perfect price! Happy Birthday to me!
If you happen to be in the market for any type of sewing equipment, now is the time to buy. Most deals are good through the end of the month. However, don’t be surprised if they carry over through next month. Handi Quilter did just that. They had awesome sales in August that will be carried through the end of September!
September was a great month for quilters and sewists. Let’s see what October brings!
I’d love to hear how well September treated you! Also, if you happen to own any of the quilting machines or the sewing cabinet mentioned here, I’d like you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Finished is Better Than Perfect!
