Freemotion Fun!
In this class, we'll explore a variety of freemotion quilting techniques. Freemotion means your hands move the fabric under the needle of your sewing machine, rather than the feeddogs advancing the fabric. It allows for limitless possibilities in quilting design. Plus, it's great fun!
You'll learn how to:
-- Freemotion following the design of your fabric
-- Freemotion following a design on paper
-- Freemotoin freehand style, including feathers, stippling, shells, chicken-scratch, and more
-- Understand stitch density as both a design element and a structural tool
-- Discover design inspirations around you
This is an all-day class. You'll need to bring your sewing machine and some supplies, detailed on the class list. This class is scheduled for Saturday, August 20, 2011, from 9:30am until 4pm at Suzanne's Quilt Shop in Moultrie, GA. Register on Suzanne's Web site. Questions, please ask me.
If your shop or guild is interested in having me teach this class, please contact me to discuss.
Featherweight Maintenance
The Singer Featherweight (model 221 and 222) is a favorite among quilters. In this class, you'll learn basic maintenance procedures so that you can service it yourself. The cost of this class is less than you'd pay for one regular service visit, so you'll walk out not only with a serviced machine, but also knowledge that'll save you money for years to come.
You'll learn how to:
-- Clean the bobbin area
-- Adjust tensions
-- Adjust and/or replace belt for optimal performance
-- Change light bulb
-- Lubricate moving parts
-- Adjust presser-foot bar and feeddog height
-- Replace bed cushions (rubber "feet" on the machine) and liner pad
While servicing the motor/electrics is beyond the scope of this class, we will talk about how to do the following:
-- Check brushes and clean/lube motor
-- Clean and adjust the controller (foot pedal)
-- Clean and polish the machine finish
This is a full-day class. You'll need to bring your Featherweight sewing machine and some basic supplies, detailed on the class list. Parts needed for your machine (e.g., belts, bulbs) will be available for purchase in class.
If your shop or guild is interested in having me teach this class, please contact me to discuss.
Refurbishing Vintage Sewing Machines
October 19 & 20, 9:00 - 5:00 (two-day class, prior to
the FL TOGA)
Brooksville Women’s Club, Brooksville, FL
Limit 10, minimum 4
Cost $300 per person ($100 non-refundable deposit to hold your space, balance due the week before class); $375 day of class (if
there is space)
In the course of this two-day class, you'll learn how to take a vintage sewing machine from "attic fresh" to stitching beautifully. (This assumes that the machine is sound under all the dirt and gunk; most vintage machines are.) Depending on the condition of your machine(s), you may finish two or three over the two days, or you may not finish even one. That's the nature of the beast. But we will cover all the steps to refurbish a machine completely, whether or not you are at that point with yours in class; that way, you can finish up on your own if your machine is especially demanding.
The essence of this course is understanding what has to happen for a lock-stitch sewing machine to make a proper stitch. If you understand that, you can diagnose and repair pretty much any machine by using your eyes and brain.
You'll learn how to:
-- Clean the machine, inside and out
-- Lubricate; understand the difference between grease and oil
-- Take apart and reassemble the tension mechanism
-- Take apart and reassemble shuttle/bobbin case
-- Take apart and reassemble the handwheel
-- Adjust presser-foot-bar and feeddog height
-- Check timing
-- Polish out burrs
-- Adjust and/or replace belt for optimal performance
Servicing the motor/electrics is beyond the scope of this class, but if the class wishes to, we can talk about how to do the following:
-- Check brushes and clean/lube motor
-- Clean and adjust the controller (foot pedal)
Ditto for servicing a treadle, we can do it if the class wants to and there is time.
A supplies list will be provided upon paid registration. Payment by personal check, money order, or Paypal. Please contact me with questions and for address/account information.