Blog

horizon memory craft 9400 review...

hi y'all.

many of you know my quilting history, but i don't think i've ever told anyone about how i went about acquire my first "big boy" sewing machine.

here's the story.

i had just discovered the modern quilting movement and knew i would need a sewing machine to match my new found obsession.  i started my research by seeing what brands quilters were using.  as you can imagine, it was mixed.  one name, however, was out pacing everyone--janome.  so with a little more research (that included reading hundreds of reviews), i knew janome was for me.  knowing i wanted a machine with little to no extra features, i started to narrow down the models.  and there she was, the DC2012--the brand's beginner-esq model.  compact, computerized, and lightweight, it was the perfect introduction into the world of modern sewing and quilting.  to this day, she still purrs like a kitten.

fast forward to today and janome is still one of my favorite sewing machine brands.  the janome horizon memory craft 9400 is no exception.  designed with the quilter in mind, this machine is a dream with features like a sizable sewing bed, modern design, and other top of the line key features.  janome's accu feed (TM) is worth it's weight in gold!  they've added additional white bright LED lighting so you can see your projects more clearly, it's super quiet, and even comes with it's own sewing table (woohoo!).

to make your own "boo cave" 14'' x 14'' mini quilt you need the following:

  • (4) shades of orange in either fat quarters or scraps.  i used kona solids.
  • (1) half yard for the background fabric and backing.
  • (1) fat quarter for the binding.
  • (1) 16'' x 16'' piece of batting.
  • (1) matching thread.
  • (1) package of tiny wooden halloween bats.  i purchased mine from michael's.

cutting and piecing:

  1. cut the orange fabric into various size strips from 1- 1/2'' to 3'' wide by at least 4 1/2'' long.
  2. mixing the shades and sizes, sew the strips together on an angle.
  3. trim 1/4'' seam allowance and press the seams to one side.
  4. continue sewing the strips together, alternating the angle until you've sewn 9 together.
  5. trim, making a 3-1/2'' x 9-1/2'' rectangle.  you need (5).
  6. sew the rectangles together.
  7. cut and sew (1) 5-1/2'' x 14'' rectangle to the left side of you strip blocks.
  8. add backing and batting, finish as desired.

i attached the spooky bats with fabric glue after adding the quilting and binding.  isn't this cute?

i hope you've enjoyed my review of the janome horizon memory craft 9400 and my fun halloween tutorial.  for more information on the machine, visit janome online or your local janome dealer today!

cut, sew, repeat...

the tattooed quilter

p.s.  the sewing machine i used is on loan from my friend at janome.  all views and opinions expressed are my own, but i highly recommend janome and their wide array of products.

observer fabrics...

okay, so its no secret that i love all things blue and april rhodes' newest collection, observer is no exception.

when i first saw her latest for art gallery fabrics, i knew it was love at first sight. it has the perfect shades of blue, white, and khaki. and those metallic paint drops on speck stardust is soo good!

i met april some time ago on instagram (it's like match.com for quilters, haha!!) and then almost a year ago at fall quilt market in houston. she's genuine, thoughtful, and one of the kindest ladies i've met (not to mention one hell of a designer).

when she sent me the new line, i immediately jumped up and down, threw it in the air, and screamed a little (maybe a lot!). i took some time and thought about what i wanted to make. so many things came to mind, but i really wanted to explore and experiment.

i started out making the sawtooth traditional quilt block, then moved to the wonky sawtooth quilt blocks, then finally landed on a wonky rectangle block.

placed on random angles, i sewed one solid rectangle to two different size background blocks. once trimmed, your angle becomes the corner triangle.

for my solid, i used vanessa christenson's beautiful blue ombre fabric. i love the texture this adds to april's collection. i added the mesh with me in olive as a contrasting "pop." reflecting on what i had created so far, i knew i wouldn't be able to stop. this quilt is going to grow and i'm very excited about it!

i also made a 12'' mini highlighting my favorite denim blue prints from april's collection. this half square triangle (HST) block is a great way to highlight your favorite prints. and to mix it up a bit, i kept one HST simple, using one observer print and a chambray from the denim studio by agf.

i kept the quilting simple, following the diagonal lines the blocks created. i added wonky curvy lines to resemble a birds-eye view of the rivers and streams seen between canyons and mountains. i love the speck bronze metallic as the binding, seeing repeat through the layers give the binding some attitude!

i loved sharing my journey with you today and hope you'll check out the other awesome bloggers sharing april's new line.

you can find out more by visiting april's blog.

cut, sew, repeat...

the tattooed quilter

 

the denim studio by agf...

you can be the chicest thing in a t-shirt and jeans-it's up to you.  karl largerfeld

denim is an american classic.  it's iconic.  it's an everyday essential.

i first discovered the denim studio by art gallery fabrics during fall quilt market.  i immediately fell in the love with the prints, colors, and hand feel of these new chambrays.  the 100% cotton denim prints, solid texture denim, premium linen blend and smooth denim are perfect for quilting and garments.  the lovey dobby is great for any bag you can dream of.  they're absolutely delicious!  i couldn't wait to create with these and when art gallery asked me to host a blog tour with some of quilty friends, i couldn't say no!

i started with re-making one of my favorite quilts, "surfacing" using art gallery's pure elements as the background and the new denim prints as the octopus.  finishing at 12'' square, i love how chic and modern it is!

then i started following the lines on the puzzle sandblast print with embroidery thread.  embroidery is so relaxing, why has it taken me so long to start?  i can't wait to use the finished project for a foot stool cover.  it's going to be so much fun!  maybe even dip-paint the stool legs in gold?!

and finally, i created a 20'' sampler mini quilt that has a combination of flying geese, log cabin, and half-square triangle blocks.  i love the mixture of art gallery's pure elements and the denim prints.  it's so cute!  even my new intern, steve, from fink toys loves it!

be sure to check out these bloggers to see more projects.  you'll definitely "feel the difference" with these new substrates.

you can also see other awesome projects with the thedenimstudiobyagf hashtag!

cut, sew, repeat...

the tattooed quilter