a thread-aholic in colorado

Ever clean a serger?

I have. For proper clean and service to include lubrication and the exact portion of oil, see me. Hopefully, my shirt will be a little cleaner...

Embroidery Fun Day - visitors from South Africa

See accompanying FaceBook (28 Sept).  After the Friday afternoon/evening setup, everything is calm. If you saw the Facebook post of 8 year-old Alexia, then you know we were going to plan on having a "fun" day. Here is a pano of the event center - ready for the 40+ guests.

You cannot see from here but on the walls and throughout the center are extraordinary designs and stitch outs of scenes, cats, birds, people and places, cultures and floral arrangements. If you are checking this out Friday night, then you still have a little time to attend. At this publication, the 3p-7p slot still had seats. Consider your holiday gift giving and projects now. 719.225.8142 or stop by 805 Eagleridge Blvd, Suite 120. The Event Center is just 50 yards away....

Yes, I know the jacket is on its side. I am not that good at this stuff yet....

From my 10-needle - for the new store

I pulled a few designs from the world web and was practicing on my Valiant. I could have easily done it on a one needle but the ease of setting up the threads once and just babysitting the design, well there is just something nice about having access to the 10 needles.

So if you happen into the Pueblo store, you should see this hanging over the cutting table, unless its been replaced... and I am sure I will in due time.

Would you know if your baby's diaper was full?

From your friendly neighborhood technician: Yes, your baby would tell you in some way that their diaper was full and becoming more compact with every hour (or day if you are using your imagination). So imagine this - your sewing machine telling you the same thing. The bobbin is not rotating in sync with the needle/hook. The feed dogs are not pushing the fabric. Or maybe your tension is off... these are clues. Your machine inner rotary area is filthy dirty.

Personally, I am okay with that. Your machine is not functioning, enter the technician to clean and service it. But then again, you should take care of your baby and they will provide many years of joy. If not, well consider the alternative....

 

Kimberbell, the Destiny and Marissa

Unfortunately, I pick on Marissa a lot and she is a good sport. Earlier we had her on the Triumph. Today we are showing off the Destiny and the Kimberbell products. She fell in love with the Destiny as most people do, and she only scratched the surface. Anyway, here she is with her latest project...

My dog digitized.

His name is Harley, an AKC registered Pomeranian who will be turning 9 years in a few days. He has the disposition of a puppy and as you might have guessed, is somewhat spoiled. He protects me to an extent. He barks to let me know there is trouble, then hides under the bed. Here he is wanting me to pick him up.

This is what a good software program can do.

One mistake several make is that they confuse extensions. If you have a JPEG or a PDF, it will not convert to digital embroidery. You need the correct software to accomplish it and you need to invest  - not a cheap program. Yes, you can send your JPEG to some online companies and if its clean, you should get a good file back. But if you want to take your embroidery to the next level, then you will want to check out a program you are willing to invest, learn and practice.

So Harley will be immortalized, for better or worse.

The NEW MC15000 Quilt Maker is arriving this week!

I'm getting excited.  Due in any day now!

Triumph - Latest Serger Innovation from Baby Lock

Jennifer and Marissa were given a few shop tasks the other day. Though Jennifer had worked with the Triumph earlier in the week, Marissa was still apprehensive. After all, the machine does look complicated. However, after about 15 minutes, Marissa was cutting the thread, pulling out the thread, re-threading with the new Revolutionaire system... cutting the thread, pulling... you get the idea. It's a wonderful machine that will make your life easier and who doesn't need that today. 

 

The Lion's Share

I had some variegated thread on my sew sample spool and wanted to use it up. I found a lion in the Destiny files and put the two together. Yes, it came out a little odd. I don't know if the outer layer does him any justice or not. The thing I found interesting is the colors began to parallel. I thought I might get more of a staggered look. In any case, don't be afraid to play around and experiment. 

Quick Class Alert!

Lorraine recently completed and is offering a class to create this quilt. Fabric is of course your choice. Though you may choose your fabric anywhere, we do offer a wide selection and both the Canon and Pueblo stores. And the best part is there are no duplications. So watch for the class dates on the main site - currently offered in the Pueblo store. 805 Eagleridge STE 120

Oh, to Chenille or not Chenille... slam dunk!

Rhonda attended Kimberbell Academy this year and is so excited to start sharing everything she's learned.  She has a Kimberbell Korner in the store and will start teaching classes in October. Here's her latest fun project:  "Fruit Stand Hot Pads". 

Stop by your local Kimberbell Certified Shop (that's us) and see all of Rhonda's fun creations, then sign up for her classes.  MORE fun stuff coming soon.

Have you updated your machine lately?

Customers have often asked about upgrades and updates. This depends on your brand of machine and how technology changes with that particular model. Obviously, mechanical machines will not be updated unless you decide to put primer on it and paint it a different color. I am talking about computerized machines. Most version changes (example 1.1 to 1.2, etc) will add a few more fonts or change another small aspect of the program. Upgrades basically give you a whole new machine. Its like putting a brand new motor in an older car that will bring it back to the modern era. For instance, the Baby Lock Destiny and the Janome 15K are coming out with upgrades now. I will always suggest upgrading when the opportunity arises. The Head Quarters techs are always tweaking the back end based on your suggestions and ideas. If they can make your life easier, they will provide the means.

Go to your particular machines home site and check version. Most of the time you can update your own machine. However, if you are not comfortable with the process, I can help. If you bring your machine to me for regular service, I will update the version as needed and warranted. Remember, version changes are minor. The full blown upgrades do have a price tag and depends on the machine. Check with us at one of our stores and we'll assist you. Keep your machine running smoothly and enjoy all of the benefits the sewing experience has to offer. See you soon!

Friendly Neighborhood Technician

By now, most know we have opened a second store in Pueblo; Kim and I have been bouncing back and forth as we are needed. Machine service for both stores is going well and I am keeping up - with minor delays for ordering parts and such. Today I was in the Cañon store and had just finished re-furbishing a vintage Singer when a customer came in from Minnesota (We are in Colorado). She was visiting her family in a nearby town and heard of our shop - yes heard of us in Minnesota. She bought in a Janome 500E and though she had purchased it over a year ago, had only tentatively used it once. She mentioned the business from which she made the purchase did not give he any insight.

Enter Me - technician guy

I happened to be running a design on a Baby Lock Destiny - making me look like a professional - so I appeared to have a handle on embroidery. I escorted our customer into our classroom and set up her machine. I gave an impromptu class to include hook run timing, the importance of needle size versus fabric versus thread, how to clean and the importance of the upper take up lever. Next, we hooped fabric with stabilizer, set the pattern and created a sample that she was very happy with. However, its not enough to show. The final test was the all important activity of self satisfaction. It was her turn. She showed me how to thread, how to hoop and how to stitch out a pattern. She was no longer afraid and now very excited about the prospects.

She said she comes to Colorado once a year and for us to expect her in the summer of 2018 for her machine to be serviced. Confidence is a wonderful thing. 

Embroidery Fun Day!!

Our first winner!

Randy shook up the entries, and shook, and shook,

and then finally drew a winning name...

Big congratulations to Susan S. for winning one of four new Baby Lock Sewing Machines we're giving away during our Grand Opening Celebration!

The Pueblo Grand Opening is going on NOW!