Sunday, January 31, 2010

A New Addition to the Family!

I hemmed and a I hawed.  I considered pros and cons.  I wasn't sure if I could handle the expense of another, or if it was truly necessary. In the end, I made myself a deal: If it happened at the right time, it was meant to be.

So, without further ado... the newest addition to the family, Jan!
My new/used Janome Coverpro 1000!
I found her on Craigslist last week, she had been purchased just last year and only used twice before the owner became ill and passed away.  Her daughter already owned a convertible serger, and was selling this beauty for a mere $300.  I've been sewing more knits in the last year, and absolutely hate how the hems look, so I'm thinking this will make me happy in that department.  Also, the chain-stitch function will be great for making muslins, like the upcoming Taylor Swift Prom Dress Project.  I called many dealers in my area, and no one come within $200 of the price, so alas... it was meant to be!!!  This also means that I now own a Janome, a Viking (Iris, the regular machine), a Brother (embroidery), and a Simplicity (serger).  Ok, I think I'm done!

As for sewing, Little Miss Princess will be attending a "Fancy Nancy Valentine Party" and the "Daddy-Daughter Dance" in the next 2 months, so I picked up Butterick 3714 on sale last week, and she picked out some pretty "Barbie Pink" baby silk (poly) at Joann's.  I shortened the skirt to the lining length (just below the knee), and used about 1 3/4 yd of 60" wide.  She also picked out some "sparkly" trim for the waistline decoration, but I'm keeping that a surprise...

So, far I've got the bodice done, and the cowl neck drape was ridiculously easy!  My only concern is how to get it to lay nicely all the time.  When she spins or jumps (she's a dancing machine), it re-drapes itself and doesn't look right.  I'll probably sneak some tiny anchor stitches up underneath the cowl, and see if that works.  Here's a close-up.

We've had a slightly weird winter here in Michigan, so far.  It's been crazy cold the last few days, but hardly any snow all winter.  I've seen on the news how the East Coast got nailed early (and again yesterday), and down south even got slammed this week.  But here?  Up North?  Not a snow day yet!!! I'm not sure whether to be thankful, or bummed!  Regardless, I hope all of you are finding happy surprises in your sewing spaces, and staying warm!

16 comments:

JoanneM said...

You are going to LOVE it!!!!! I have the Coverpro 900 that was a $$ STEAL $ and it is all I had hoped. Remember Kristine,all you need to do to justify is say......well-it is less expensive than therapy(Like we need it!!!)

Michelle said...

Congratulations on your new acquisition. And I think you forgot one in your list of machines...what about your vintage one ;) ?

I can't wait to see your daughter's dress...the pink is a great color, just like the sorts of things that my niece loves, too!

Maryissewfast said...

Congrats on the new addition and that pink dress for your daughter will be gorgeous!!! Oh and your done??? As your business grows you'll need another embroidery machine!!! evil grin!!!

Dawn said...

I love my coverstitcher! And that pink dress is something my girls would KILL for!

Faye Lewis said...

What a wonderful machine. I have the 900cp but might consider trading up one day.

Bunny said...

That neckline is gorgeous. Sandra Betzina has a trick, if I remember right, where some sort of dangly thing is attached to the inside of the neckline and the weight keeps things in place. I could be in a mistaken memory moment but if you have her books check it out.

Anonymous said...

So is the new Janome a serger? Does your Singer not serge well? Sounds like a grest deal!

The neckline of your DD's dress is beautiful! It looks RTW (actually, better than RTW).

KID, MD said...

Awesome! I've been wishing for one of those (or a convertible - serger first!). That dress is going to be so fun1

gwensews said...

Good for you! Oh, you will have such a good time with that new machine. I've been marooned a couple of times on this Island, due to ice jams in the river. Recently, there were 5 days we couldn't cross. The frigid temps are to blame.

Gay McDonell said...

Great buy, I'd be very interested to hear (and see the results) of how it works. The pink dress looks lovely!

Sharon Sews said...

Oooo, congrats on the new addition! I just showed your post to my husband saying "see, this is what I want!" and he agreed that I do indeed need one. So now I'm going to begin stalking Craigs list in hopes of a score like yours :-)

Kathi said...

I have it and love it. It is amazing the difference it makes in your hems!
We had 6 - 8 inches of snow yesterday. Quite a relief after the 24 inches we got right before Christmas!! We have the day off from school tomorrow. I understand we have another snow heading our way on Wednesday! My boys are loving it!

Summerset said...

I have the same machine, you'll get a lot of use out of it.

We don't have much snow, either, this year. Weird.

Meg said...

Ooh, let me know how you like this baby. You'd think that here in the NYC area there'd be all sorts of cool sewing machines for sale on Craigslist, but noooo.

amber said...

So jealous of that new little gal! Congrats! :)

Mariela Alethia said...

You deserve the machine and any other machine your heart desires along with lots of fabrics. In fact we all deserve to have any sewing machine we want. And the same goes for fabrics.
Little princess dress is going to be beautifullllllll