The New Kid in Town


There's a new kid in town.  Strangely I haven't come up with a name for this one yet, so it is currently known as "the Brother".  Maybe I'll call him Bob.  It's formal name is the Brother Fashionista NQ3500D.  This is a mid-level sewing/quilting/embroidery machine.  It's the twin of the Babylock Ventura.  That "D" in the name stands for "Disney", and yes, there are 35 Disney embroidery patterns on it.  Bob came from the Nova Sewing Centre in London, formerly the Sewing Superstore where I bought Phoebe.  They still have the same great staff and it was a pleasure to once again deal with Ivana.

I've been thinking for awhile that I'd like to play with an embroidery machine.  I was initially looking at the entry level ones sold at Costco, but decided I would likely outgrow one of those pretty quickly.  They tend to only have small hoops to work with.  The brother goes up to 6" x 10".

I was wresting with going with this combo machine or the dedicated Janome 500E.  I would have saved a little money going with the Janome, and had a couple more embroidery functions such as jump thread cutting and a 1" larger hoop, but I really liked the idea of having a good backup machine.  This really is a good machine, with the built in scissors, a pivot feature, a knee lifter, and lots lots more! (you are reading that in a tv commercial voice, aren't you?!)  Betty (the White) is going up to Mr. J's to live so that if I have any mending to do for him I can do it there.

Of course I had to try out the embroidery function.  Machine embroidery is a whole new learning curve, although I did spend the entire weekend researching everything I could find about it.  First I did a flowered monogram on a washcloth.  Then I did a basic monogram on a towel, that I am not as happy with.  It sewed well, I'm just not loving the style.  Finally I embroidered a gecko on the skirt of a peplum top.  This one I love!

So I've barely come out of the sewing room since I brought the Brother - sorry, Bob - home the other day.  Phoebe (the Pfaff) doesn't need to worry, I'll still be using her regularly.  Mom brought over all kinds of generic feet that will work with the Brother, but I still don't have an edgeguide foot for it.  Seeing as I already have a couple of those for Phoebe, I don't see a need to run out and buy them for the Brother just yet.  With the edgeguide feet, the extended table and the IDT (built-in walking foot) I think Phoebe will still be my best option if when I do any quilting.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Bionic Gear Bag - Pattern Review (long and pic heavy)

Image
The Completed Bionic Gear Bag EDIT: Link to the second bag I made almost seven years later   Well I finally finished my Bionic Gear Bag .  What can I say?  I laughed, I cried... This pattern makes a very cute bag and overall I am happy with it.  On the other hand I did run into some hiccups and perhaps my timing could have been better with purchasing this pattern.  The Bionic Gear Bag was designed by Sally AKA Ripstitcher .  She had purchased a similar pattern from Craftsy , made it, reviewed it on her blog, designed her own version that met her needs better, and put it up for sale on Craftsy.  The internets went crazy and  major drama ensued . Now I will be honest and say that the first pattern caught my eye in the first place because I saw Sally's review of it.  When I then saw the design Sally came up with I thought it would better suit my needs, so I bought it.  Unfortunately when I bought it the drama was at its height and even though there was email communication from
Read more

New Look 6735 - The Dedicated Post

Image
I have decided to put up a dedicated post for New Look 6735 .  Because I have made so many versions of it, it really doesn't require a new post every time I make one.  This will make it easy for me to track my projects with this pattern.  I have made this up now as the 3/4 sleeve tee, the cap sleeve tee, a sleeveless version and the cardigan (although heavily modified).  The fact that I have certainly got my money's worth out of this pattern makes the cheap bastard in me very happy!  So here we go (with newest versions on top): With narrower neckline Blog post Blog post Blog post Blog post Blog post Blog Post Blog post Blog post Blog post Blog post Blog post Blog post Blog post
Read more

Name That Bike!

Image
I've decided my bike needs a name. I've been developing quite a relationship with it, and it seems too impersonal to just call it "the bike". So I need some help. Any ideas? Maybe Gretchen? or Gloria? Something else? Why don't I give you some background. I used to have a really hard time bike riding because of my rheumatoid arthritis. It's mostly in my wrists, and the conventional way of bike riding where you are leaning on the handlebars just put too much pressure on them. It was too painful. So about ten years ago Canadian Tire came out with the retro cruiser-style bike and I bought one. The cruiser has you sitting more upright without putting all your weight on your hands and wrists. The handlebars are curved back towards you in a much more comfortable position (my wrists don't really bend) that regular straight bars. It only had six gears instead of the 21 that everyone else was riding, but I found the six plenty for the type of riding I d
Read more