Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Grannies, Soupcon and Juki

Thanks for the get well wishes people! I'm feeling much better although still coughing but not too badly and I'm well enough to sew, sew, sew!

I'm on a roll with my Godstone Grannies (GG) coverlet and have three more blocks to share! What you don't see in the pictures is that I've stitched a portion of the path to each of them and several others!





For those of you who followed along on my first QAL, Soupcon I thought I would share a picture of Sheila's quilt. She has added a twisted border and it is STUNNING! Sorry but there's no other word for it!! Sheila is a very talented quilter with a wonderful eye for colour. You can see more of her work on her Flickr page.


I been thinking about my red Soupcon and think that for my first border I will piece elongated hexagons and applique them to a border. Once I get my fabric cut I'll share with you what I've got in mind!

This Friday I am going to go test a Juki TL2010Q. It is very basic sewing machine that is supposed to be ideal for piecing and quilting. It is all metal and it is not computerized. It has one stitch - straight stitch. There's not even a zigzag. It does have needle up/down, automatic thread cutter and a needle threader. By all reports it is lightning fast! I've often said that those are the things I want in a sewing machine (I don't really need all the fancy bells and whistles) so it will be interesting to see if what I think I want is what I really want. I've read good things about stitch quality so it will be very interesting to see how this machine performs. I have read that since it has all metal parts it does require frequent oiling. The only negative I've seen is that the needle threader is delicate and not well suited to needles with smaller eyes. I tend to use topstitch 80/12 or 90/14 so the threader shouldn't be an issue. The feet that are available for this machine are very different and there is a limited number of FMQ feet available which may be a drawback.


If any of you have this machine or know someone who does I would love to know what you think.

Time for me to make up for lost time and do some sewing! Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

11 comments:

  1. Looking forward to hearing about your Juki experience. The fob lesson yesterday was excellent. I am sure you will do well selling them at the quilt show in September. The members have wonderful wares to sell.

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  2. I'm looking too for that machine, maybe in the fall. I'm looking forward to read answers to your post.

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  3. Sheila's Soupcon really is beautiful! Great fussy cutting in your GG, too. I'm looking forward to seeing it all together!! HOpe you continue to get better and that cough goes soon.

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  4. I purchased that Juki last January. I love it! It is extremely fast - it came set half way between jackrabbit and tortoise and I've not changed it yet. It comes with a number of feet- walking, guided 1/4", free motion and others. It has a nice stitch for just sewing and quilting. I've only used the walking foot for quilting so far. The guided 1/4 inch foot seems accurate. Very fast and really all I need. Just need to finish up a couple things I started on another machine and it will become my primary machine.

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    1. Thanks for the feedback! I wanted to send you and email but you are a no reply blogger. I've read that some are having issues with skipped stitches but I'm wondering if it they are using a needle that is too small.

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  5. thank you for those generous words about my "Soupcon" quilt Karen... I am plannning the next border, possibly pinwheels. I like your idea of the elongated hexies for yours. The GG blocks are wonderful, i can't wait to see them joined together

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  6. I have a PFAFF Grand Quilter which is very similar. It's not computerized and only has a straight stitch. It can stitch 1600 stitches a minute but I never have it that fast. If you enjoy this machine half as much as I love my PFAFF, you'll never regret the purchase.

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  7. Love your GG and Sheila's quilt is gorgeous. I have a 1600P J anime and is the same as the Juki, the only difference I think it comes with more feet. They are great machines. I would love to have the Janome Horizon LOL but I really don't need it. Oh yes the Janome has a needle threader too, thread cutter too.
    Hugs Bunny

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  8. The GG blocks are coming along nicely---can't wait to see the finished quilt! I ha be owned that exact Juki for 18 months, and love it. The needle threader is tricky to figure out just using the manual, but there is a YouTube video if you don't have someone to show you. I don't use use my Bernina anymore--I leave it packed up for retreats since the Juki is too heavy and big to travel with easily.

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  9. Karen just WOW!!! The Grannies are spectacular -- really, really beautiful. The SoupCon quilt is amazing - what a creative way to finish it off. Loving that...!! Can't wait to hear how the Juki testing goes. I have the Janome Horizon with WAY MANY MORE stitches than I'll ever need -- but I must say the zig zag and satin and blanket stitch do come in handy at times... hoping to try out some other fancy stitches with heavier weight Aurifil soon... Best of luck with making your selection!

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  10. I have a Husqvarna Mega Quilter (basically the same machine as the Pfaff Grand Quilter) and I adore piecing and quilting on it. I hear the Juki is along the same lines.

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