Sewing up a storm

Wild, wet and very windy weather here, perfect for staying home and sewing. Have been spending some time working on my Purple 9 Patch, this one is for Oliver's teacher who has announced she is expencting her first baby. I am not sure if she will teach the whole year so I have bought my deadline forward.
Putting the blocks together last night, I have made it smaller than the original plan as it looked huge. My rows are 7 blocks x 7 plus sashing and borders, I want to machine quilt in rows, any bigger and I think I will struggle getting it under the arm. 7 blocks with sashing are completed, ready to be sewn together tomorrow.
I have about 30 blocks left over, so I think I will make another one but slightly different, something like this. Kippy has stayed up late keeping me company. Next post, hopefully a completed top!

My Machine

Sewing Machine Meme; I can't believe I haven't blogged about my new machine yet!
What brand and model do you have?
I own a fresh out of the box Bernina Auora 440How long have you had it?
About a month! Not long enough to be able to just sit and sew and think of other things.
How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
Anywhere from $2800 to $3500, huge price difference so it pays to shop around. I got an excelent trade in on my Janome so was out of pocket $2200, very happy with that.
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Mostly quilts, as in tops, planning on using my mums new long arm for the actual quilting. But I have quilted a small cat quilt using the BSR and it turned out beautifully. I also sew the occasional dress for Cate or hem on some school pants and the odd cushion and craft project. I use my overlocker for dance costumes.
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
I try to sew / do something crafty everyday but working FT puts a dampner on this. I would say that I turn my sewing machine on every few days, its still so new to me so I have to keep refering to the manual which takes time. As for wear and tear, none yet. I bought a variety of needles, I usually change them once a week or after a project.
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I do love it, but I loved my Janome too. My Bernina looks the part, I just need to really get stuck into some serious sewing. Customer service wise, very happy with the actual purchase dealer, but the 2 semi local Bernina Shops are not so good.
What features does your machine have that work well for you?
The mirror immage blanket stitch, the BSR stitch regulator is fantastic and I am in love with the huge quilting table that came with my machine. Oh, and the seperate bobin winder on top of the machine is great too. Still debating a fabumotion.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
I think a second light would of been nice.
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
Cost, my mum told me that a good machine should last you for 20+ years. When I bought my Janome, I bought the best that I could afford at that time, I got a great machine that was bomb proof! I outgrew it so traded up and again, I have bought the best I can afford. Lovin it so far! I was seriosly considering the next model up, but so didn't feel comfortable spending $8k on a machine!
Do you have a dream machine?
A Gammil, for long arm quilting. And an industrial straight stitch Pfaff, I have read so many stories of people finding machines on the side of the road thrown out for junk collection, I am yet to find anything good!!

Calisthenics Costumes

Costume time again!
On top of being the Fundraising Co-Ordinator (anyone want to buy some chocolate??) I am also the Costume Co-Ordinator for Team 2. Cate's coach went through all the costumes and matched to music tracks and then handed to me to re vamp ready for our August competitions. 5 dances X 9 girls = 45 leotards. All of the mums are supposed to help, but out of 24 girls only about 6 mums actually assist. Unpicking and sequining is so easy, just need to convince them that they will enjoy it. Cate loves trying costumes on, and then telling me how I should fix it, what would make them look prettier, where more sparkle is needed ...(you get the idea). Of course the coaches get the final say, some leotards are quite nice and need very little work, but some of them are down right hideous with there fluro colour combinations, jazzy prints, both tule and lycra mixed with sequins!

Stash Sunday ~ Black and Whites

I have been collecting black and whites for this quilt here. I bought the pattern with 2 sets of templates and started collecting fabrics (thanks Emma and Xena). I saw a demo of the curve master presser foot and bought one the craft fair to make things easier, am yet to try it! Plan is to make as a gift for Cate's year 1 teacher but I really love how striking it is, I think it might be hard to part with this one, maybe I should make two? Or go with DH suggestion and buy him a carton of beer!

Snailblazer Swap

Some of you may of remembered that I took part in Cass's Snailblazer Swap. Well my parcel arrived and I am thrilled; there are so many crafty chic's out there! Homemade soap by Allison; hair clip and broach made by Karen; drawstring bag by Caroline; Cindy made this denim wristlet; knitted washcloth by Kylie; sock owl by Clair; one of Ingrid's loyalty card's; patchwork mini scarf made by Cass and modelled by Muffin A crochet Beanie by Meika and modelled by Cate And this divine apron by Claire kindly modelled by Bob! I love it all!! Oh, and here's what I made, 10 mushroom baskets with a little toadstool lining. I hope everyone likes them! Thanks Cass for organising another great swap!

Kipper's Coin Quilt

Poor little Kip has no quilt, she snuggles up to me at night and I am worried she is going to fall off the side. Using my fabric pack from Amitie I have whipped her up this little Chinese coins quilt in the hope she will move down the bed. Her as in she, yes, the vet confirmed that Kipper is indeedy-do a girl, not that it matters to us either way! A perfect little project to practice my BSR stipple quilting, not bad for a first turn (especially as I realised I was using BSR1 not BSR2; BSR1 is not regulated stitching, its just a normal stipple stitch!) Binding sewn on courtesy of Helen, please note the noice corners. 123 awwwwww.