Sewing Machine Needles: Colors of Thanksgiving

On this day of Thanksgiving, I want to share a few pictures from my travels.  I am rather surprised to not find so many Thanksgiving projects, rather the autumn color of orange was easy to find in my photo stream.  So enjoy of few pics.  I hope they inspire you.


Lumination II
Susan McBride Gilgen
2012 International Quilt Festival, Houston, TX

Glorious hues of orange, red and gold.  Yes, this is a quilt as if you are standing at the foot of a forest looking up to the sun.  Susan describes these Japanese maples as a forest of fire in fiber, a lumination to the mind.  This stunning original quilt is made of hand-dyed cotton and batiks.  Her techniques are spontaneous design application, free-motion  machine embroidery and machine quilting.



2012 Sewing & Stitchery Expo
Puyallup, WA
 

Nice example of blending patterns, techniques and colors. This vest is a stunner! I love when sewists can wear their projects to sewing and quilting events.

 

Lobby, Aladdin Holiday Inn

Kansas City, MO

This spring International Quilt Market, wholesale fabric and quilt supplies show,  took place in Kansas City, MO.  Staying at the Aladdin Holiday Inn was a treat.  I especially loved their lobby with the beautiful over sized orange red glass perched upon a circular sofa flanked by regal pillars glowing with gold detail.  The vaulted lobby ceiling was outstanding.  This little boutique hotel restored its original art deco ambiance with a touch of vintage charm.  The Aladdin is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was easy walking distance to Quilt Market. 

Triple Stripes

Pieced by Anita Marsh, Quilted by Dan Kolbe

Meandering through quilt festivals is always a pleasure when traveling.  This summer my community had their second annual quilt festival.  The weather cooperated and the quilts were special.  This quilt caught my eye reminding me of modern quilts which are so popular now.  Anita found the pattern at her local quilt shop, Prairie Stitches Quilt Shoppe, and used batiks from her stash.    It is always good to support your local shops, and yes, Prairie Stitches does carry SCHMETZ needles.

Shopping at Haberman Fabrics

2012 American Sewing Expo, Novi, MI

Staying with the autumn color theme, especially orange, you are looking at my next sewing project - beautiful nubby wool to be made into a jacket.  Plus I found a delightful orange paisley jersey knit with a touch of turq for a companion blouse, or if I am lucky a Magic Bias Dress.  Soon I will find out as this is my Thanksgiving sewing project.

On this day of Thanksgiving, enjoy your family and friends.  Share your love of sewing.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda
www.SCHMETZneedles.com

The Magic of Sewing

One of the joys of my job is talking to sewing enthusiasts from around the world.  Whether teaching or walking a sewing show, sewists like to show and tell about their garments, quilts, wall hangings, crafts and charity projects.  I met Bill earlier in the year between my SCHMETZ: Get to the Point classes at Steve's Sewing, Vacuum and Quilting store in King of Prussia, PA.

Bill Brown

Bill showed me a photo album of his sewing projects and his newly created sewing room.  Thanks to his daughter moving out of the house, the bedroom was free and Bill moved right in setting up sewing machines, a serger, lots of shelves, thread racks, a cutting table and extra lights.  Bill was beaming ear to ear over his awesome sewing studio.

Bill loves to sew quilts . . . . and thoughtfully creates lovely gowns for the burial of premmie babies.  The gowns are complete with lace trim, satin ribbons and dainty rose trim.  The gowns are donated to the local hospital.

Curious to why Bill learned to sew? Magically, he can thank his Mom.  Special pockets?  I'm lucky to install one good pocket.  Thanks Bill and the customers and staff at Steve's Sewing and Vacuum for a terrific Sew SCHMETZ day!  If you missed it check out my March 28th blog post for more details about Steve's Sewing, Vacuum and Quilting store in King of Prussia, PA.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda

www.stevessewandvac.com

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Sewing Machine Needle: How To Read The Needle Package

Baffled by the needle package?  What do all those all those numbers mean on the needle package?Well, let's first review the essential needle information printed on that tiny 5 pack of SCHMETZ needles.  Information that will make your needle purchase so much easier. 

Let's start from the bottom of the package and work our way up:

• Size:  Needle size is always found at the bottom of the package.  Both the metric and the Singer or international size designation will always be shown.  This package has assorted sizes - 70/10, 80/12, 90/14.
• Needle System:  130/705 H is the needle system used by nearly all home sewing machines.  130/705 refers to a needle with a flat shank.  The H refers to a German word, Hohlkehle,  that translates to scarf.  So 130/705 H is a flat shank needle with a scarf.  All brands of home sewing machines use system 130/705 H - Baby Lock, Bernina, Brother, Elna, Husqvarna Viking, Janome, Juki, Pfaff, White and more.
• Needle System:  15x1 H is a cross-reference to needle system 130/705 H.  The two needle systems - 130/705 H and 15x1 H are equivalent, same needle anatomy- a flat shank with a scarf.  Same needle, different manufacturer. 
• Needle Type:  There are 16 needle types for your home sewing machine.  The above needle pack contains Universal needles.
• SCHMETZ:  The preferred needle used by sewists around the world.  SCHMETZ is high quality.

Next week we will review the different needle types for our home sewing machine.
Sew SCHMETZ!
Rhonda