Grace Sturdy Lite Machine Quilting Frame

Not too far down the road, I'm looking at maybe investing in a quilting frame. I am interested in the Grace Sturdy Lite Machine Quilting Frame, most obviously, because of the price. It's definitely well within the affordable category, and I can see how much more prolific I could be if the whole pinning on my kitchen floor and fighting with the quilt balled up in my machine process could be avoided...

Thoughts? Anyone use/own one of these before? Any other similarly priced alternatives? I've still got to buy my sewing table, but this is definitely on my list.

QAYG

Once my friends start having kids, I have a feeling this is going to be a very easy go-to method for making little blankets to bring to baby showers :)

Do You Live in Baltimore?

If so, and you enjoy quilting with modern fabrics, then consider joining the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild. I recently joined the sister branch in DC, and I really enjoyed going to my first event. I love the concept of online guilds where people can interact a lot more often than a once a month traditional guild meeting. We organize events, but the online function gives us far more opportunities to reach out and share photos, ideas, or ask for advice :)

New Fabric!

Ordered some awesome new solid fabric from Connecting Threads! 

Got some fat-eighth sampler packs, a bunch of fat quarters, and 2 yards each of black and white for background fabric. At $3.96 a yard, these gorgeous colors are so worth it!

Borders!

I finally got some sewing done! I added borders on my applique practice quilt. If you recall I was just making this quilt as a way to practice applique. I just plan to use it as a lap quilt for watching tv with the kitty. I added some borders from my favorite polka dot fabric. 

I think it looks pretty good for what it is. Now if I could only find my batting I could keep going... grrr moving really throws everything off! Oh well, at least I got some sewing done.

Yesterday I went to two quilt shops in Virginia to pick up patterns for the two classes I'm taking. I went to The Artful Quilter to pick up my pattern and materials for the Sophia Carry-All. I saw the sample and it's absolutely adorable! Plus it has a lot of new techniques for me. Adding a covered zipper, adding piping, and working with 3 types of interfacing I've never used before. Should be a great, challenging class.

Then I went to the Quilt Patch in Fairfax, VA. I got the book that we will be working from, and wandered around. I was going to allow myself to buy some fabric, but I didn't really see anything that grabbed me. I had liked some of the fabric at The Artful Quilter, but I may visit a few Maryland quilt shops to see if I like anything better for my carry-all bag.

Another Class Registration & Sewing Table Options

I signed up for another quilting class at a different quilt shop in VA. It's for a Drunkard's Path variant, which if you've read my blog in the past, is a pattern I've been dying to learn! I love the semi-circular patterns, but I have no clue how to sew with circles, so I'm super excited about this course.

I'm also trying to get my sewing area set up in my apartment. I brought no furniture with me to Vermont since the apartment was furnished, so when I moved down here to DC, I had no furniture. In my infinite wisdom, I decided it'd be awesome to buy a bar-height dining room table and chair set... which means I cannot sew in my dining room. *facepalm*

So. I decided to buy a sewing table, because if I'm going to have to spend $, why buy a generic desk. I don't have much money to spend, so cost is an issue. I also don't have a large amount of space in my apartment, so portable tables are definitely an option, so long as they're sturdy enough. A fellow blogger expressed her satisfaction with the Sew Ezi table, but the price isn't quite right for a recent grad. I found a similar table concept that seems to have gotten good reviews on a number of sites. I like that it is portable, folds up, and that the drop-in machine piece is adjustable to accommodate for a variety of different machines. Seems versatile, apartment-friendly, and the price is right. Anyone have any experience with the Arrow 98601 Gidget Sewing Table?

Amy Butler Bag Workshop!

I have signed up for my first quilting class in AGES! I'm so excited to take the Sophia Carry-All Class in November at The Artful Quilter in VA. Apparently I snagged the last available seat in the class - thank goodness I decided to call right away instead of waiting.

This is a link to the information about the pattern on the AB website. I have always loved Amy Butler designs, and its my first time taking a class based on one of the AB patterns. It includes a zipper, which will be great practice for me, since I've only sewn about 1-2 zippers total in my time as a quilter.

I also joined the DC Modern Quilt Guild. An online guild for quilters in DC. They have occasional meetings at The Artful Quilter, among other places. Hopefully it will be an opportunity for me to meet other quilters in the area!