Hello Janome MC 6700P

For a while now, I've been mulling over trading in my brother Innovis QC1000 that I've had since 2010. Pretty much replaced by my JUKI  TL-2010Q in 2016, I've mostly used it for sew-ins, as a back-up, or when I wanted to quilt with its serpentine stitch. It's been ages since I've been 100% happy with it, thus the JUKI purchase. Honestly, though I've been happy with so much about the JUKI, lately I haven't been completely content with the quilting. Or is it my quilting? Not sure. All I know is stitches aren't always consistent, and feeding of the fabric layers isn't even. 

Long story, short, last Monday when I was picking up my JUKI from service, I took time to check out the Janome Memory Craft 6700P. Several years ago, I had sewn on a friend's Janome all through an out of town retreat and thought it sewed like butter. And though that particular machine is no longer made (and way more than I needed), the clerk when I dropped JUKI off the week before suggested the 6700, so I'd been researching it. What I was really interested in was that AcuFeed Flex Layered Fabric Feeding System. With a 10" throat space (larger than both the JUKI and brother), the Janome also had three areas of lighting, the necessary (to me) needle-threader, two different quarter-inch feet, an independent bobbin-winder (similar to the brother) and that serpentine stitch I like. I was tempted.

So I initiated conversation about the price and maintenance plan, and contrary to what I'd been told the week before, it was now 1/3 off due to the shop's moving sale. No more consideration was necessary. That elusive 'better' quilting quality made me want to try it. So I've had it a week, and I like it very very much. I've made a baby quilt, and the quilting (and piecing and binding) quality met my hopeful standards. Obviously I need more time on it - and larger quilts - to share a valid opinion, so I'll be back at some point with more of a review. And I'm not saying goodbye to my JUKI, especially for piecing and bags (and ??), but I'm going to spend a little time getting to know the Janome, and then we'll see.

Just Swell

Well, my little diversion from "big project" quilting has been enjoyable, and last night I finished Just Swell, a darling cover for my newly tuned sewing machine. I really enjoyed this pattern from Simplify - the zig-zags were fun! I did have to adjust the size a bit, as my machine was larger than the original pattern, and I chose to make my binding 2 1/2", rather than the 3" suggested. Actually, I've always been a 2"-binding-person, so even doing 2 1/2" was a switch for me, but it turned out very nicely, and the cover is definitely being put right to use!

Also linking up with {Sew} Modern Monday today with my little project!

Giddy

It was late last night when I finally got to my sewing room. My freshly tuned sewing machine was waiting, all shiny. Seriously. I was giddy. I dropped pins. I spilt water filling the iron. I honestly was so excited to have my machine back and a couple of hours to spend sewing. It felt something like relief. I finished piecing Just Swell, and basted her up.

This morning, I snuck down before the day really got going, and quilted her. Progress.

When the mail came today, it brought something I'd anxiously been waiting for!

I must say, the Shades of Grey I won from Daisy Janie really are beautiful. They have a sheen of sorts, a texture unique to organic fabrics, I'm thinking. Really nice, and I'm thrilled to add them to my stash.