A New Sewing Machine!!

Well, I'm incredibly jazzed right now. After presenting a wonderful 'argument' to my husband, he agreed to let me get a smaller sewing machine. After talking to the wonderful ladies on the About.com quilting forum, I settled on looking into the Kenmore Mini-Ultra and the Jem Gold. Considering that the Kenmore was a lot less expensive, I went to go look at one of those first.

It was so cute! It's this tiny little blue sewing machine. I made sure to take along some of my fabric scraps and the thread I use all of the time. One major "problem" I had with the sewing machine was figuring out the tension. I am incredibly spoiled by my Viking Quilt Designer (QD). It tests and adjusts the tension for me. But I figured it out on the Kenmore. I also found out that it sounds different when the tension is correct and when it is not. That was handy!

Needless to say, I fell in love with that tiny blue sewing machine. It also helped that it was about $100 cheaper than a Jem Gold. It sews beautifully and purrs like a little kitten. I also like the fact that I can lift it in one hand easily. I can lift my QD in one hand too, but with a lot more difficulty. So, I immediately purchased that little blue baby and brought 'her' home.

I will admit that I had some frustrating moments trying to figure out where to mark the plate to show me where the scant 1/4" seam was. I think I have it now. I might also decide to invest in an inexpensive 1/4" piecing foot. I haven't decided yet.

Now that I don't have to drag out my heavy QD just to piece anymore, I might get a few more tops finished! My QD will still be greatly loved. I adore that machine!! It was just too heavy to mess with all the time. I have plans to "drag" my little Kenmore into the living room and put it on a tv tray and use it. When I was playing with it today, I used it on the tv tray so I could check the vibrations. At full speed, it won't work on a tv tray. However, if I take my time and slow it down a little, then it works just fine.

That reminds me. DH also said that I could go and get the Sauder sewing cabinet at Wal-Mart. It runs a whopping $98 and is actually a nice little cabinet. Certainly a lot nicer than the one Sears tried to sell me earlier for $200!! However, I'm not sure on that either. Maybe I should take him up on the offer while we have the money. :)

I'm really excited to start sewing on my little machine. So, I think I will do one more post and head off to go sew until I can put the kids to bed.