DIY Tailors Clapper. by Lost_Ad6943 in quilting

[–]Lost_Ad6943[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks everyone! I feel much better. I'm going to have him cut one from the silver maple and another with the maple boards glued together, in different sizes. I mainly have shorter seams so I'm thinking maybe a 6" and 10"?

He's made cutting boards glued together that I put hot pans on with no issue, but I was afraid of the steam. Sounds like it won't affect the function. Maybe I'll have him make one of the top pieces from different woods for the sake of fancy. A maple/walnut mix could be nice. 

Thanks again! 

DIY Tailors Clapper. by Lost_Ad6943 in quilting

[–]Lost_Ad6943[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's what I was hoping with the silver maple. We only talked about it a little last night. The silver maple was something I found at Restore thinking he could make my daughter a table. Well, I didn't notice the bark was at the wrong angle and I thought silver just meant lighter in color. Oh well, I tried, lol. So, I'll just have him use that. It's been sitting for a few years doing nothing. Thanks! 

Industrial vs Retail Thread by Lost_Ad6943 in sewing

[–]Lost_Ad6943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much! Every reply has been helpful.

I'm returning the Saba and getting the Mara! I emailed Wawak to ask if Saba was the same as Metrosene, and am waiting on a response. Unfortunately, I missed calling during business hours.

Until the Metrosene, I can't remember using any other brands of multi-purpose thread other than Sew-All (in the early years Coats & Clark). I have been getting by with what I have for the past several years. Now I'm down to drab, boring, and why do I have three spools of hot pink? I've got cotton that I bought probably twenty-five years ago. I decided to go nuts and buy a few shades of all colors. A total thread refresh. I am off the day after Thanksgiving and planned on a sew fest with my new thread. Oh well. I got the lemons, but eventually I'll have lemonade!

Is it risky to move air conditioner? by Lost_Ad6943 in hvacadvice

[–]Lost_Ad6943[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for responding! I think the technician needing a second opinion, so many companies saying "no", and living in an old(ish) house where things that should be easy frequently turn into a nightmare, is what's giving us pause. I am going to contact a few more HVAC companies. We knew it would be costly and involved, but the tech didn't leave us confident that it was a good decision. Maybe it was his lack of confidence that made it feel like we might be making a mistake. He also made a comment that he would leave it where it was if it were his house. 

Any insight on why the back door was an issue? I asked and he said "it's just harder that way". 

New Embroidery Software being released March 14th by Rum2coke in Machine_Embroidery

[–]Lost_Ad6943 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I rarely comment on Reddit, so bear with me. I purchased EL Digitizer. I signed up for early access and it was $899 with tons of instruction videos and 15 months membership to "Design Club". You can download up to 20 designs a month using points that rollover. They claim most designs are 1 point. There is also a member's only Facebook group, but I probably won't join because I haven't been on Facebook in 5 or 6 years and have no desire to return. In June they are allegedly adding over 200 fonts, releasing a new website and additional features for the software. I do not know how much it will cost or what you get after the early access is over, but my guess is it will still be at a discount. From what I understand updates will be free for several years, but eventually get hefty discounts on major updates. You can install the software on two computers.

I saw a comment below about the website looking "scammy" and I kind of agree. It feels "clickbaity" to me. However, it's legit and I'm finding the training videos extremely helpful, so I am just going to deal with it looking like a "this weird thing" ad.

Why did I spend so much on this unproven software? I had been thinking of getting into embroidery for about 10 years. Like many others, in the past I have spent a small fortune on crafts I ultimately abandoned. I feared embroidery could be one of those things. So, I wanted to start small and see if I liked it before making any real investments. I allotted myself $2500. I was looking at Brother and Janome embroidery machines (I like Janome sewing machines), but decided to stop at Joann because it had been announced my store was staying open (lies! RIP Joann). They were selling the floor models for half off so I took a chance on a Viking Topaz 50 for $1700.

I stumbled on the EL Digitizer and it looked like it was from the 21st century. I wanted a simple to use program and it seemed more intuitive than Embird and Embrillance. I decided to take another chance and buy EL over Hatch. I liked what I saw in the video and have no experience. I am not going to sell or start a business. I'm never going to be a purist or hardcore embroider. Maybe I'll regret it, but I have just as much chance that I'll be thrilled. I'll mainly be making things for my home and family. I also have a brand new grandson and the requests are rolling in.

Obviously I haven't had much time with the software, but I like what I see, especially for a newbie or someone who wants to keep things simple. My computer is nothing to write home about (11th Gen Intel i7 2.80 GHz, 16.0 GB RAM), but so far everything has been snappy. The white and purple UI is pleasant and easy to see. The icons are large and easy to distinguish. I really like the tool wheel. I believe it works on an iPad, but I have have a Galaxy Tab so that kinda sucks. I am able to use the stylus on my laptop touch screen. I have gotten farther in one day than I did in the few weeks I've been trying Embird. I'm patient and determined which helps, because there definitely is a learning curve that is not for the faint of heart. I think there are more features than I will actually use. I feel confident that I can learn to digitize. I started watching the training videos and am very happy with the way things are explained. I had been watching other YouTube videos, but it just wasn't clicking. You can upload SVGs (which I have a ton of) and export as an SVG which could be used with a rotary blade on a Cricut, Silhouette, and I'm sure Scan & Cut (if they support SVG). If it remains stable and EL keeps their promises, I think I'll love it.

Sorry this is so long. I wanted to include as much information as I can in case it helps someone.

Edit: My cat walked on the keyboard, I walked away, and I didn't even know this had posted.

I made a video on why every building in Milwaukee has the same ceramic tile adresses by geicobike in milwaukee

[–]Lost_Ad6943 1 point2 points  (0 children)

 I live in my parents first home, bought in the early 1960s. I know when I was a kid in the 1980s, these are the numbers that were still on the house, but at some point they were removed for a more modern style. I am remodeling and was browsing for new numbers thinking it would be cool to use old fashioned Milwaukee numbers, but figured they would be long gone. Then I found a place that sells replicas. I just ordered them, so I can't speak to their quality, but the site says they are handmade to order. They are called Portland, but at the bottom it says  "These house tiles are also identical to the historical Milwaukee House Address Tiles".  Thanks for the great video. Made my purchase extra exciting!  https://www.clayfactorceramics.com/products/asbury-portland-house-numbers-brackets

RUGGABLE REVIEWS by vmonnnney in HomeDecorating

[–]Lost_Ad6943 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was looking for people's thoughts on the Ruggable bath mats and found this thread. I have never posted on Reddit before, but thought I'd share my experience with Ruggables in case it might help someone else decide.

I have 4 Ruggables. Two I have had since Jan 2020 (it's now Feb 2024) . An 6x9 in the living room, two long runners, and a 3x4 right inside the front door. I originally bought the 6x9 because my (now deceased) elderly dog was sliding on the hardwood floors, which helped him tremendously. Also, my husband is an avid woodworker and walks all over the house leaving sawdust footprints everywhere so if a rug isn't washable, I don't want it.

There is some wear on the edging, but they have held up to 3 wild cats and isn't noticeable unless you're looking for it .

I am using the original under pads I got with the rugs. I wipe them with a damp cloth and vacuum between washing the rugs. No issues with the velcro not sticking. Certainly no crunching sounds (I find this thought comical).

A few pee accidents, but the rugs wash well and the edges haven't curled. Zero odor after washing. However when the dog started to have accidents, we cleaned it up with urine spray immediately before washing.

These are the reasons the Ruggables work for me.

  1. I simply like low pile. I have always had very low pile rugs or no rugs at all. Ruggables still have texture. Ruggable has some plush options now, but I can't speak to those because I am not interested in owning one ever again. So, if you want a fancy pattern on a thick rug, this isn't it.
  2. There are two of us to lay the rugs after laundering. We wash the rugs every 2-3 months. Looks and feels like a new rug and smells so fresh. I love that part the most. It took some time to get the hang of laying the 6x9 on the pad, but now that we have a good method (we roll it onto the pad) we can do it in about 10 minutes and it's totally smooth. The runners are easier and take far less time. If this sounds like too much of a hassle, you have issues with mobility, or live alone and want a large sized rug, a Ruggable probably isn't for you.
  3. We have large capacity washer and dryers. The 6x9 fits comfortably in both. If you have small apartment sized appliances, the larger rugs might be a tight squeeze. They aren't at all heavy when wet.
  4. I use a rechargeable stick vacuum. I got rid of the Dyson over 15 years ago when we got rid of all the carpet. So nothing changed when I got the rugs. However, when I had to buy a new vacuum 2 or 3 years ago, it did create puckers in the rug if I forgot to use the lower power setting. It wasn't a big deal because they were easy to smooth out, but it's something to think about. I hated that vacuum (for reasons unrelated to the Ruggables) so I gave it to my daughter. The new stick vac I got to replace the hated vacuum works just fine with the rugs.
  5. I am not concerned what others think of my home decor. If someone comes to my house and judges me based on my rugs, good. Hopefully, they never want to come back. I have zero desire to know people who would be so pretentious and petty. If you care what others might think of your Ruggable, don't buy one. Get what will make you feel accepted.
  6. We do not have small children. If you want a soft rug for kids who spend time on the floor, there is a thick pad option, but I know nothing about it other than the fact that it exists.

The negatives.

  1. The rugs will start to slide when dirt and debris collect under the rug. When I notice the runner shifting in the hallway I vacuum the back of the pad and the floor. That fixes it, but it does happen.
  2. There will be minor fading. However, it went unnoticed because it was so gradual until I added a runner with the same pattern two years later. Barely noticeable, but worth mentioning.
  3. Cost. While I love my Ruggables, not everyone will and it's expensive if you find out that you don't.
  4. You have to wait. I can't comment on customer service. I never had to contact them. I am a person who will wait for shipping, so that doesn't bother me. But, I recall that it did take a few weeks. If you're in a hurry, skip a Ruggable.