I Fixed It!

I did it! I fixed my sewing machine issue! :-)

I called the dealer today and was told that I was welcome to drop it off, but that it would be a week before anyone could look at it. I promptly asked if they had any loaners (thanks for the tips guys!), and was told there weren't any available. From the tone of her voice I interpreted this to mean "we don't give out our lovely newer machines for free". Ugh.

With two projects midway to being finished, I was not really willing to let my machine just sit over there for a week plus whatever repair time was needed. So, I did a bit more research, pulled out my manual again, and started trying things. Dangerous I know, but I felt desperate!

I pulled off everything that I logically could. Presser foot, bobbin case, plate, etc. and gave that baby a second thorough dusting. I then proceeded to try re-inserting the needle, making sure my plate was perfectly flat, searching for fugitive thread clippings, tightening a few screws, etc. Still sewing in a curve.

Then... I found the little screw to adjust my bobbin tension. Why not? Tighter was no help. Looser... and VOILA! A perfect straight seam, and an improved stitch length to boot! I'm not sure how it got too tight to begin with, since I have NEVER touched that screw before. But I can't tell you how relieved I am to not have to waste any of the short weeks I have left by just waiting to keep going on Amelia's room.

So cup of home-made Vanilla Nut Mocha in hand, I am off for more hours of sewing pleasure.

Sewing blues

Well, I am bummed.

My amazing PFAFF machine is having an issue. It seems to be pulling the fabric WAY to the right, which is messing with my thread tension as I attempt to compensate by working way too hard to guide it straight. I looked up the issue in my little manual, which recommended cleaning the feed dogs. I did so, and cleaned in and around the bobbin holder, too. Still pulling to the right. So I guess I'll have to go in for an "alignment" tomorrow. Boo...

My second bummer is that I forgot to calculate for the folds of a pleat on my dust ruffle, which resulted in the whole thing being 4" too short. So now I have to change my design to still use the pieces I have cut. It's not a big deal, just frustrating. I'm sure it will still look fine. I'm just grateful that it wasn't a complete miscalculation which would have resulted in wasted fabric and time.

Other than that, things are rolling along. Little One is wriggling a lot today! Not so much kicks, although we had a few good ones around lunch-time, just a lot of wiggling! It's so cute. I keep trying to figure out which way she is laying, but I feel kicks and punches all over the place, so I'm still clueless. We also had hiccups. This is about the fourth time I've felt them and knew for sure that's what they were. Unlike the wiggling, the hiccups are not cute. They are so close together and cause her to keep "tapping" my belly in the same spot. I find this irritating after the first 30 seconds or so. Especially if I am trying to fall asleep at night! But, they say hiccups are a sign of a healthy, happy baby, so I don't complain. Out loud that is... :-)

My due date seems to be approaching quickly, (8 weeks, 6 days to go!) so I am gobbling up info on labor, delivery, breast feeding, and those first few weeks. I am trying to wrap my brain around the reality that pregnancy really does end with a physical baby in your arms. I've gotten very comfortable with the idea, and most symptoms, of being pregnant. But the fact that it's almost over, that there is a real baby in there, and that she's really almost HERE still eludes my comprehensive abilities.

Well, since I can't sew, perhaps I'll go cook. Burritos are on the menu tonight! YUM!!!

Nursery decor

So my projects for Amelia's room are coming along slowly but surely. Last week I made a big run to Joann's for the rest of my supplies, but still managed to forget a denim strength needle for my sewing machine, batting for the bumper pads, and a stencil for the quilt border. Also, they were out of E's and L's in the cardboard letters I'm using to do her name, so I have to go back later for those, too. Despite, these minor set backs, I have made some good progress in the past few days.

This....


Became this...
with "ELIA" still to go. This has been a great project to work on while watching TV at night.

I finished all 4 crib sheets.

I half finished the first changing pad cover, but I am waiting to sew the hem and elastic until I actually have the changing pad here to make sure it fits properly.

And, I started cutting strips for the bumper pad and dust ruffle. I realized that the pattern repeat of my fabric is wider than the strips I need, so I am having to cut the width of the repeat and then trim to get the width I need. It's all about the uniformity!!! Figures that I picked a fabric that would require extra steps. :-P

So all in all we're coming along! Pinning hems for the crib sheets was pretty tedious, so I'm glad to be moving on to other projects. It's nice to have several different things to work on so that I don't get bored w/ one task or another. :-)

Creative Bliss

It is -40 outside this morning. Ouch! The truck was gone this morning when I walked the dogs, which means Brian still hasn't gotten the car going. Great... The ice fog is hanging pretty thick, and visibility isn't great. Thankfully the dogs seem content to stay curled up in their own crates, snuggled in blankets. The fewer trips I have to make outside today the better!

I am snuggled in front of my computer with a delicious cup of half-caff coffee and my shearling slippers. I like to spend the first hour of my non-working, no-baby-yet day sipping coffee and drinking inspiration from my favorite blogs and websites. My mother recently introduced me to Attic24. I keep going back to drool over her crochet! My favorite is her Ripple Afghan, which she shares her pattern for HERE. I've become obsessed. I go to bed with that pattern wafting in front of me, begging me to go pick out some yarn so I can get started! The most humorous part is that I finally have my fabric in hand to start sewing up Amelia's nursery items. I have enough material to spend plenty of full days at my sewing machine, happily humming away. BUT, I can't get that afghan out of my head! I've started telling myself that I could still work on baby projects during the day, and then have the afghan to work on at night while hubby and I watch TV. Hmm.... Maybe I WILL go check out the yarn sale at Northern Threads. Once I have a running vehicle that is.

I should add that hubby doesn't care for the blanket. AT ALL. He says the colors don't "go". WHATEVER!!! It is gorgeous yumminess. Besides, he's not exactly the resident color expert. ;-) I'll just make it for me, and he can use some other blanket for couch-potato-ing.

I did get started on my baby projects. My quilt is pieced, but waiting for the border before I stack and quilt it. I washed, dried, and pressed my stack of beautiful fabrics, and yesterday began cutting them into the various pieces needed for the corresponding projects. I got as far as half-way done with my first fitted crib sheet, when a need for lunch, followed by a stronger need for a nap took over. My "nap" took up the remainder of the afternoon and early evening, so the crib sheet is still waiting for a hem and some elastic. I got a decent nights sleep last night, so aside from fighting my crochet urges, I am ready to go at it again!

I am just loving the lazy, guilt-free days that not working has afforded me. God bless my husband for making this possible, and for all the inner rejuvenation that creativity has given me!!! And yes, I know... this will only last another 10ish weeks.