Lesson Learned: Sexy Hexy Insanity

I was recently commissioned to make a quilt for my niece's bed.  I was given free reign in fabric and pattern with the only constraint that the colors were to be the colors of a peacock.  Purple, green, teals, etc.  I immediately thought Amy Buter's Love in the soul palate fit the bill. 

Well, here is my first and final hexagon.

It looks cute, but boy was it a pain to put together!  There's pattern pieces, lots of cutting, freezer paper, GLUE STICK, sewing a hexagon ring, and then finally psuedo-appliqueing the center hexagon on.  It ends up being quite a large hexagon- about 25" across (29" at the points).  If you really wanted to tough it out, at least you wouldn't have to make too many of them.  However, I think I will be abandoning this pattern.  This will probably end up as a pillow.  Back to the drawing board for the quilt pattern though!

On a positive note, I did get to learn how to use my edge stitching foot that came with my sewing machine.  It's pretty nice! 

My New Baby(lock)

The plan was to go purchase the new sewing machine this weekend.  However, my husband surprised me and brought it home last night!  So exciting!  He is so good to me! :)

Hello, my new friend.

After extensive research, I decided on the Babylock Quest Plus.  I never intended to get this caliber of machine.  I originally planned to purchase a nice middle of the row, general purpose sewing machine.  While I was at my local sewing machine dealer, I was eyeing the Janome 6600p.   The large arm, the quick stitch speed, built in walking foot, etc all had me.  In all honesty, compared to my current sewing machine, any of the ones in the shop would have been likened to a Cadillac and I would have been happy. 

Giant extension table

Feature to feature, the Janome and the Babylock are about the same-  automatic needle threaded, stitches up to 1000 stitches per minute, needle down, knee lifter, extension table, independent motor for bobbin winding, more stitches and presser feet than I'd ever need, etc.  The main differences are that the Babylock has a free arm and the Janome has a automatic thread cutter.  I figured that since I currently have a free arm and have used it, I would miss that more than the automatic thread cutter which my current machine definitely does not have.  I shall continue in ignorant bliss regarding the thread cutter. 

My machine also came with a workbook that contains more detailed instructions on how to use a lot of the features.  I suspect that this will come in handy.  

Now it's off to play with my new toy!  So exciting!