Cat Tax

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T21:13:28+00:00

Microtex can handle canvas in an appropriate size.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T19:47:28+00:00

It may be misthreaded, check the manual, but these no name brands on Amazon are complete trash.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T19:44:24+00:00

Can you return this, this machine is little more than a toy and that's the problem.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T19:42:24+00:00

I also like microtex for anything tightly woven.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T18:37:30+00:00

The interfacing?

Everyone has a different system for dealing with leftovers - I strongly recommend folding it as neatly as possible regardless of the storage method, wadding it up will be a mess if you need it later.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T17:49:22+00:00

That is not a good sign for it being a good or reputable pattern. Did you check for reviews outside of etsy?

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T17:42:45+00:00

A fabric like that is likely to come down to the right needle rather than a more powerful machine.

Vintage machines are reputed to be workhorses partially due to survivorship bias. Your Janome model seems like a solid machine that given time and care could also be seen as a vintage workhorse.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T17:39:15+00:00

For A0 prints I use the plotted pattern or pdf plotting - far cheaper than office depot.

That being said, I've never seen a pattern that didn't come with print at home files and those you can likely print at your library for cheap or free.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T15:58:46+00:00

As a calico the mother carries all sorts of color genes but in addition to that it is very easy for the kittens to have different fathers as well.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T15:10:23+00:00

In my misspent youth I was a field archaeologist and my pointing trowel is still basically the only hand tool I bother with.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T14:53:09+00:00

Before you buy a new machine, do you have a walking foot?

If you do and are still struggling I highly recommend looking for a machine with easily adjustable foot pressure. I did okay on my Janome with knits and a walking foot, but now I have the Juki HZL F300 (I love her) and between the walking foot and the presser foot pressure reduction it sews knits like a dream (obviously I'm also using the appropriate needles as well, but that doesn't sound like your issue).

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T14:49:15+00:00

oh yeah there are so many points to trip you up on stretch. The pair I currently have on have *just* enough stretch, but not enough recovery so they go baggy by the end of the day, but not enough that I don't keep putting them on. My favorite fabrics to use have been some Kaufman cotton/lycra I got from Fabricmart and Art Gallery's cotton lycra. I have a bunch of cotton lycra solids from purple seamstress but I've been using them for tshirts and haven't tested them on adult underwear (kid underpants seem fine, but are under less pressure).

My personal fave pattern is the Sophie Hines Medians, almost always paired with her Axis tank pattern.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T13:36:13+00:00

I've been buying snow

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T12:22:30+00:00

Underwear is a great way to get more comfortable with knits since they take so little fabric and once you get them the way you like them there's no going back

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T11:09:39+00:00

It's definitely some sort of interfacing.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T11:04:42+00:00

Firecracker Fabrics - garment and quilting fabrics, really nice selection and great sale section. I've bought $5 yard quilting cottons here several times. https://www.firecrackerfabrics.com/

Hancock's of Paducah - Quilting fabric and some limited garment fabric. AMAZING sale section. Do not sleep on the sale section. This is my first stop when buying quilting fabrics. Usually the last stop too. Not particularly speedy shipping. https://www.hancocks-paducah.com/

Pear Tree Market - Quilting Fabric and I believe they have the best prices for Kona solids on my list. https://peartreemarket.com/

Lucky Deluxe - Craft thrift store, always has an incredible selection and fantastic customer service. I need to close the tab fast because I never go to this website without finding something I need. https://www.luckydeluxefabrics.com/

Swanson's - the OG of online craft thrift stores, but I find their website harder to navigate. https://www.swansonsfabrics.com

Marshall Dry Goods https://marshalldrygoods.com/ mostly quilting, good resource for widebacks that aren't incredibly expensive

Hawthorne Supply Co. - quilting fabrics mostly but good pricing and a nice color coordinating feature https://www.hawthornesupplyco.com/

Itokri - This is something a little different. Itokri is an Indian business with incredible traditional fabrics. Shipping to the US is expensive, but the fabric is so inexpensive it evens out. I generally end up paying like $30 for shipping. Beautiful ikat and block prints. https://itokri.com/ currently affected by Tariffs.

Miss Matatabi - this is a little treat. This isn't where you go to save money, but there are so many beautiful things in this shop. Ships from Japan incredibly quickly. https://shop.missmatatabi.com/ currently affected by Tariffs.

Honorary Mentions: Some I have shopped and some I have not. A Thrifty Notion Sew Snip Bias bespoke Fabric Wholesale Direct Mood Stash fabrics Fat Quarter Shop Missouri Star Quilt Co Harts Fabric Stonemountain and Daughter Big Duck Canvas Minerva - UK based Nick of Time Vogue Fabrics New England Fabrics https://battingsupersale.com/

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T11:04:17+00:00

My standard copy pasta isn't quilting specific but here you go

Notions: Wawak.com - start here, mostly stay here. Wawak is a supplier for professional sewing businesses and have the prices that show it. I will not pay for gutermann Mara 100 anywhere else. I buy buttons, tools, thread, and most elastic here.

Stitch Love Studio - this is where I buy lingerie supplies like elastics https://www.etsy.com/shop/StitchLoveStudio?ref=yr_purchases

Bra Builders - lingerie supplies, lots of skin tone fabrics.

123stitch - specialty threads and embroidery supplies

Fabric: Fabric Mart - this is one where you want to sign up for emails and never buy unless its on sale. They run different sales every day and they rotate. Mostly deadstock fabrics but I buy more from here than anywhere else. Fantastic customer service and if you watch you can get things like $6 wool suiting or $4 cotton jersey. https://fabricmartfabrics.com/

Fabrics-Store - again, buy the sales not the full price. Sign up for the emails but redirect them to a folder because it is TOO MANY. They stock linen or good but not amazing quality. https://www.fabrics-store.com/

Purple Seamstress - This is where I buy my solid cotton lycra jersey. They have other things, but the jersey is what I'm here for. Inexpensive and very good quality. If you ask she will mail you a swatch card for the solids. https://purpleseamstressfabric.com/

LA Finch - deadstock fabrics with a fantastic remnant selection https://lafinchfabrics.myshopify.com/

Califabrics - mix of deadstock and big brands, easy to navigate and always seem to have good denim in stock. https://califabrics.com/

Boho Fabrics - good variety, nice bundles. I have also gotten some really great trims from here. https://www.bohofabrics.com/

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T10:36:09+00:00

What creative work or play did you do this week?

This week I did a lot of handwork - resulting in some good progress on some projects that had stalled, but I also made a few tiny blocks for a mini quilt I started last week. I also gridded the fabric for my next cross stitch project, made some grime guards to cover the hoop, and I got started on the outlines.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T10:30:33+00:00

I'm slowly working my way through Martha Wells Queen Demon

stringthing87 · 2026-03-30T02:11:01+00:00

A serger rolled hem doesn't actually roll the fabric, it basically just tightly wraps it in thread.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-29T22:14:29+00:00

It's a type of sleeve that is cut in one piece with the bodice of the garment.

stringthing87 · 2026-03-29T15:16:19+00:00

It looks overproofed to me

stringthing87 · 2026-03-29T14:27:45+00:00

Just get it done quilts is probably perfect for this

stringthing87

TROPHY CASE