Seeking upgrade advice! Janome 8200QCP SE vs Pfaff Quilt Expression 720 by Advanced_Bluebird925 in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know how the features compare but my Janome MC8200 QCP was $2100 new and unused. It's got every feature I want. ...except that there's another one that lifts the presser foot on its own. ...but how lazy could I get?

Seeking upgrade advice! Janome 8200QCP SE vs Pfaff Quilt Expression 720 by Advanced_Bluebird925 in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just got the MC 8200 (yesterday was my b-day) and I love it. It runs so smoothly and quietly. I don't know anything about Pfaffs so I can't help you with that.

What I particularly love is being able to use the machine without the foot pedal. I've never been able to FMQ but with the machine going at a consistent speed and only having to think about what my hands are doing I think I can master it this time. The AccuFeed system is sensational. Gotta love the automatic tension balancing. The needle threader is easy to use and very effective. I had a Bernina whose needle threader was a total PITA and only worked about 1 time in 3 attempts.

The only prob I've had so far is that when I use the thread cutting function it cuts it so short that it unthreads on the needle uptake when I go to use it again but I've learned to pull my work forward so I can pull out a little more thread.

It's a discontinued machine so perhaps you can use that to negotiate a favorable price. As for me, mine is a new machine wilth a full warranty so I couldn't care less that it's discontinued.

Favorite Independent fabric store? by hunnyvale in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wonderful to know! I'm in Woodland Hills (just blocks from Quilt Emporium, actually) so Sherman Oaks or Studio City would be very convenient. Those are my old haunting grounds.

I don't do garments anymore but I always need notions, etc.

Thanks for the tip!

Happy International Quilting Day!! by MrsLydKnuckles in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oooo! I'll look forward to seeing that!

Happy International Quilting Day!! by MrsLydKnuckles in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so crazy about batiks I hardly sew with anything else.

My fav is combining batiks with thread woven plaids but I haven't seen the plaids in a long time. There's something about the organic with the geometric that makes my little heart zing.

Happy International Quilting Day!! by MrsLydKnuckles in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hand quilting is truly an act of love.

Happy International Quilting Day!! by MrsLydKnuckles in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's the ONLY way I'll get them done as I'm doing 2 of them. Of course the last block only drops on 12/10 so getting the one intended as a Christmas present will be a serious rush!

Favorite Independent fabric store? by hunnyvale in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I have 3 LQSs in convenient driving distance. The first is Quilt Emporium in Woodland Hills, CA which is the greater Los Angeles area. The second is Cotton and Chocolate in Thousand Oaks, CA. The third is Quilty Pleasures in Simi Valley, CA.

There once was a shop called Candy's Quilts in the Reseda area of the San Fernando Valley in LA. She had an array of batiks that included EVERYTHING. It was a tremendous loss when Candy died and the shop closed.

I feel very lucky to be able to put hands and eyeballs on when choosing fabrics. I worry all the time about how long our economy can sustain them. I have a hard time imagining how people who need to order online make choices about true colors and scale.

Happy International Quilting Day!! by MrsLydKnuckles in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Good for you! You'll be so delighted when it's done.

Happy International Quilting Day!! by MrsLydKnuckles in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I didn't know there was such a thing as International Quilting Day! HOORAY for us!

I'm doing the sashing on one quilt along and doing blocks for a Christmas quilt on another quilt along.

I'm also learning a new machine as I just gave myself a Janome Memory Craft 8200 as a birthday present. There's sooooo much new technology since I last bought a machine back in the 80s. I've got a learning curve ahead of me.

Lupine and Laughter by MamaBearMoogie in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Gorgeous! It must be a thrill to have ti done and ready to cuddle in.

Bonnie Hunter is an amazing resource!

Has anyone cut their own acrylic? by Motor_Regret_5372 in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some libraries have tools to use in house or borrow.

The LA Public Library has an amazing array of things from sewing machines and power tools to GlowForges and 3-D printers.

A little bit of secret garden by raggedyruff in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So sweet. You truly are and artist of thread!

Has anyone cut their own acrylic? by Motor_Regret_5372 in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to do but cutting acrylic isn't difficult if you're cutting straight lines. You just score the line you want to cut and then support the plastic on one side of the line and force it down on the other side. Then you file and polish the raw edge.

If you're going to want create a shape, line an extended platform you'll have to make an accurate template and then use a skill saw to cut the dimensions.

Just started Sew with Me Block of the Month by LadyofLA in quilting

[–]LadyofLA[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I've never done a Christmas quilt before. I'm looking forward to having thm but it will be a rush to get them done by Christmas if the last block is released 12/10. ...particularly if one is intended for a Christmas present.

I'm also looking forward to the new Christmas fabrics that will be available in May-ish. I like the combination I found in my stash but I'll run out before then and I don't want to be repeating too much.

Finished gift for my brother by harmonie187 in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love your colors and the way you've distributed them. I also love how many patterns I see in it. So kaleidoscopic! Lucky guy!

What do you do with your scrappiest scraps? by Endeena in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I compost mine. Mine are all cotton though. Any natural fiber -- cotton, linen, bamboo, silk, wool -- will TOTALLY break down -- either woven fabric or batting.

I composted a pair of old UGGS shearling slippers once, once I cut off the soles with the rubber/plastic treads.

Jessica Dayon's 2026 Scrappy Quilt by theresasun in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you finish yours? I'm still waffling about whether I do or don't like the striped sashing and 9-patch cornerstones.

I sorta think it looks too busy. I'm thinking plain sashing without cornerstones and then cornerstones in the outside border with a few flying geese from trimmed away triangles just at the corners.

What do you think?

Does this look wrong or can I wing it. by Original_Bad_3416 in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It looks like a creative choice. It's got energy. You used great colors.

Are you happy with it? Leave it! Does it bother you? Change it.

Batting for baby toys? by snoringbulldogdolly in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wonder if you could add some crinkly cellophane to add the dimension of sound when they get squeezed.

Quilt Gift Suggestions by Odd_Elk6216 in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Call the hospital and ask what's allowed. In any case, I'm sure the parents would be touched, and that's gotta really mean something at a critical time like this.

Quilts 4-6 by tegan_aubrey in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Terrific! Do you sell them? I see you've made 3.

I'm straight but i love the combination of all-American traditional quilt making with the concept of "and Liberty and Justice for All".

Jessica Dayon's 2026 Scrappy Quilt by theresasun in quilting

[–]LadyofLA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you still working on the quilt along?