Meet Houdini and co.

[Valkyrie 392]

This is the adapter I have now (this is the low shank one) - bit pricey but I figure I'll be getting plenty of use out of it as I can put the ruler foot on this (although some machines have a different mechanism with some computerised machines that have the auto pressure foot lift system rather than manual:

 

http://www.j-shop.co.uk/product/45/convertiblefreemotionquiltingfootset

 

Ruler bit is the chunky one - it says this set is for the 1600p series, but it actually works for my MC 6300p I think there are a couple that don't work so it's always best to check before buying just in case:

 

http://www.j-shop.co.uk/product/156/convertiblefreemotionquiltingset

 

Amy Johnson's blog is quite good for information.

 

https://amysquiltingadventures.com/pages/faqs

 

And this is the Youtube review that she did for the auto lifting bit.

 

[Plum 97]

That's a very good price for the feet. I like markings on the clear foot I wonder if mine has that. It'll make echoing a whole lot simpler. Thanks

[Valkyrie 392]

I have the plastic bit that is supposed to go over the feed dogs - doesn't seem to fit mine. Never mind - I have the big slider that goes over the top anyway. I think that is better than the little plastic rectangle.

Plum I think the plastic disc is used for fluffy lofts but not sure. I now have my Bottom Line and my So Fine thread to play with. Also got the So Fine #50 colour card (been drooling over colours) and a Handi Versa Tool. I'm set to go. And then I accidentally bought a book. Jinny Beyer's Quilters Album of Patchwork Patterns. Hubby said I was trying to sneak purchases in without him seeing. Considering I left it on the table in plain sight I'd hardly say it was sneaking it in! He didn't notice the 2 lots of half yard birdie prints I got from Cotton Patch! What those? I got them ages ago.

[Blackrocksrock 39]

YOU are WORSE than I am - I just bring them in and say nothing!!! Enjoy and I am sure your quilts will be as wonderful as always.

[Cat tails 855]

I treated myself to a great book: Edward's menagerie: Birds by Kerry Lord

It has over 40 patterns of various birds and includes: two cockerels, a normal hen and a silky!

[Luvachicken 477]

I treated myself to a great book: Edward's menagerie: Birds by Kerry Lord

It has over 40 patterns of various birds and includes: two cockerels, a normal hen and a silky!

 

I've looked at that before but as my crochet skills are still pretty non existant I haven't bought it.

Make sure you show us when you have made them

[Cat tails 855]

I treated myself to a great book: Edward's menagerie: Birds by Kerry Lord

It has over 40 patterns of various birds and includes: two cockerels, a normal hen and a silky!

 

I've looked at that before but as my crochet skills are still pretty non existant I haven't bought it.

Make sure you show us when you have made them

 

I first have to decide which one and get supplies. I have to say her instructions are very clear and structured, with lots of photos.

[Groovychook 0]

My sister bought me that book last year!

I've only made the rabbit so far but the instructions were easy to follow

[Cat tails 855]

My sister bought me that book last year!

I've only made the rabbit so far but the instructions were easy to follow

That's a different one I think. Mine only has birds, but the same author I guess.

[Groovychook 0]

My sister bought me that book last year!

I've only made the rabbit so far but the instructions were easy to follow

That's a different one I think. Mine only has birds, but the same author I guess.

Yes... that will teach me to speed read! I'll have a look for that one though

[Valkyrie 392]

Oooh I looked and thought Toft - I know that name - Toft Alpacas - had to check and yes it is the same people!!!!

 

Love the names for the birds though!

 

Muz has booked me in for a beginners day at Bozedown Alpacas for my birthday. I'm doing my homework and jotting down lots of questions before I go. He just may live to regret doing this!

[Valkyrie 392]

Had a time-out for a fortnight because of jury service. That was exhausting but now back into the swing of things like the decorating. Also been tackling the Christmas mystery quilt and am now free motion quilting that when I have a spare moment. It's the first totally free motion quilt on a big scale (having done the cushion last year) and well - it could be better. I think I would have wasted a whole reel of thread by unpicking the worst bits and getting the tension correct-ish! Good job I bought a cone! Am now thinking that I need a proper cone stand. Oh yes - the Bottom Line bobbin thread was winding too loose so I've been swapping the thread onto another bobbinand running it through my fingers too. That seems to have worked well - a bit irritating but in the swing so it's automatic now. I've got it on a rotation - one in, one filled, one ready to go! I'm really rubbish at sewing in the ditch, but the feathers are sort of reasonable. But this morning wasn't my finest hour so having a break! Also broke a needle so got the hump with that! Add that to rescuing an egg from the back of the cube run because some gannet can't wait to lay in the box in case she misses something - in the middle of a hail storm and then feathers of the thread kind start going wiggly and and and ARGHHHHH!

[Plum 97]

Just normal day at your house then! Tell us about Jury service, what was the case?

[Blackrocksrock 39]

Yes do tell - mine we had to go home after the first 2 hours and come back next day - we sat again for 2 hours then they picked 15 and after a while we got to go home - seemed such a waste of 2 mornings and then I heard the case was thrown out after another 2 hours.

[Valkyrie 392]

Ah, it wasn't a nice one really - it wasn't rock and roll, it wasn't drugs - it was the other one. Young lad only just out of his teens with a liking of 13/14 year old girls. A potential Gary Glitter in the making and now he's going to be watched closely. Sentence to be announced late April. My blood pressure has now returned to normal! But they were great people and I couldn't have wished for a better group because we laughed our way through - apart from the deliberations but sometimes we were in need something to lighten the mood. And comfort eating abounded!

[Plum 97]

Must have been pretty uncomfortable listening to it. I wonder why the sentence was delayed, hard for the families to wait.

[Plum 97]

This'll cheer you up http://ladysewandsew.co.uk/product-category/just-arrived/pirates-3/?utm_source=Brand+New+Pirates%21&utm_campaign=Bank+Holiday+Bargains%2C+and+New+Tula+Pink&utm_medium=email

[Luvachicken 477]

This'll cheer you up http://ladysewandsew.co.uk/product-category/just-arrived/pirates-3/?utm_source=Brand+New+Pirates%21&utm_campaign=Bank+Holiday+Bargains%2C+and+New+Tula+Pink&utm_medium=email

 

Oooh I clicked on that but typed in chicken - some lovely material if only I could sew

[Plum 97]

Time to have a go. Think of all that chicken fabric and what a nice cushion you could make yourself

[Valkyrie 392]

I was checking out Lady Sew and Sew the other day - figured I'd go for a little trip to Henley. And then I got the lurgy! Grounded by germs!!!!

 

I don't think the young lad gets on well with his family. Probably not impressed by his behaviour - "Ooops, word censored!"ody was there to support him. We thought it was his mum in there on a daily basis but it turned out to be one of the girls mum's! He's on bail with a leg bracelet and staying with a friend. Not one of us wanted to find the guy guilty but the evidence was overwhelming and we had our duty to protect society. Perhaps he's young enough to be reformed and I hope that would be the case, but he will always be on the sex offenders list.

[Valkyrie 392]

Visited the Henley one. My goodness it's a big barn full of all sorts of fabrics - an area dedicated to Christmas stuff that's almost the size of my kitchen. You couldn't possibly turn your nose up at everything - you'd be pretty fussy if you did! Also the colours on the photos for backing fabric on the website are pretty close to the real thing. I bought plenty and I also bought some Heat and Press for the wadding. I may have accidentally bought a couple of metres of a neutral batik too. My friend says she went to the shop in Marlowe and said she wasn't impressed with the rude lady who wasn't helpful and was quite snappy. The lady that served me seemed not exactly Mrs Joviality of the Year but she seemed OK when I waffled on - strange lady let out for the day, let her ramble and humour her for a couple more minutes. Whereas another lady there seemed quite jolly. Although the wait for the till was something I'm not used to in a quilt shop!

So what I intend to do in future is to suss out what I'd like online first and make a shopping list. Quite a way to go for fabric but cheaper than postage!

[Plum 97]

Or catch them at the shows. Lovely KFC fabric....

[Valkyrie 392]

Some of those flowers are huuuge! They had a quilt hanging up with a bright red/pink and purple chrysanths in the centre squares in the KFC part - awesome!

[Plum 97]

Yum

[Cat tails 855]

Made my first bird from the Kerry Lord book: