Sunday, April 08, 2012

Retail Therapy

I went on something of a bender recently.

Not with vodka or gin, but with shopping. Very clearly, I was 'self-medicating', but, oh well, I'm not going to try to explain or defend it. It made me happy, it gave me pleasure, it didn't damage my liver.

I filled several virtual shopping carts with fabric (there is still one that needs to Proceed to Checkout). And they arrived in an avalanche.

There are the solids for the the Modern Quilt Guild block challenge. (That goofy piece at the bottom was on hand, I really want to try to use it.)

MQG block challenge

A bunch of pastel solids -- chalky and pale -- for an idea that I have knocking around in my head. I already had the dark gray and butter-colored pieces.

pastels

There is the stack of gray-ish neutrals  & a black & white polka dot that would be good background-y fabrics.

backgrounds

More pre-cuts than I need, but I wanted them. And that McCall's patterns print, because it makes me think of my childhood.

pre-cuts & 1 yard

I even bought another sewing machine!  Are you trying to tally up what I already own? Let me do that for you: there are the Bernina and the Featherweight, my day-to-day machines; the Singer 99K and Singer 66 Lotus, both hand-crank machines; Mom's old Kenmore, still not in working order; Grandma's old treadle machine, not working either -- needs a belt. Tally: 4 working, 2 not working. So what else could I need, right? Well, in those brief, dark days when I thought the Bernina had croaked, I did some machine shopping. I've always said that my perfect machine would be a Featherweight with a big throat space (there is a name for that space, I can't remember what it is). And guess what, there is such a machine! So I bought it!!! So add a Brother 1500S to my fleet. It has an industrial motor & only sews forwards & backwards. It came with walking foot, quarter-inch foot, free-motion foot & some others. I've not done much with it yet because I don't want to change machines mid-project, but I am nearly done with the Shirts & Slacks & my next quilting project will be my HMQG row robin (seen in this very staged photo).

new team member

9 inches!

13 comments:

CapitolaQuilter said...

Oh, I'm getting all sentimental. I LOVED, LOVED my Brother 1500S - maybe a bit too much since I blew out the electric board and it no longer works. You are going to have so much fun going that fast, that straight and that reliable. Enjoy!

Karamat said...

Oh how I love retail therapy!! And you've got some great selections there!! Have fun :)

Rachaeldaisy said...

Ah yes, fabric retail therapy is the bees knees!! I like your choices!! A big welcome to your new sewing machine!! He sounds like a super sewer! You two are going to have lots of fun together!!!

O'Quilts said...

Wonderful news Beth..just what the doctor ordered...more beautiful fabric AND a new machine. U deserve it! We are going to take the grandchildren to the zoo tomorrow instead of visiting my mother. Guilt, but just a little..need some laughs and lightheartedness around here..Or they will keep me at the zoo...

QuiltingCyclist said...

Congrats on the new machine. Am eager to hear all about it. I have been doing similar therapy. Have the Janome7700 in my sewing room now. Retail therapy is th best medicine.

QuiltingCyclist said...

Congrats on the new machine. Am eager to hear all about it. I have been doing similar therapy. Have the Janome7700 in my sewing room now. Retail therapy is th best medicine.

Nifty Quilts said...

Good for you! Nothin' like some healthy retail therapy to soothe the soul. That McCall's fabric reminds me of childhood too!

Lisa said...

LOVE your shopping spree!

Cassie said...

Sick with envy! That machine looks wicked!

Manda said...

Oooh great retail therapy! Thats a lot of machines but I bet your still excited about using your new machine!

amy and the bad cats said...

sweet! another machine! i certainly can't say you have too many, since i have seven, too!

safieh said...

Congrats on the retail therapy, I think you totally deserve it! Is your new machine supposed to be good for FMQ? If so, give us a review!

Sherri ~ daintytime said...

Yay for retail therapy. You made some good picks. Specially love your solids. Can't wait to see what you make.