Sewing Gems Newsletter

April 2011 Truly as time travels so fast its hard to find the time to do those things we love to do. As busy as I think I am, I really think the younger generation are busier. They dont seem to have any time to really slow down and enjoy a hobby, so it was really nice to meet a young lady still in primary school spending 1 hours a week with her grandmother and learning the art of patch working. She came into the shop to buy some fabric for the borders, backing and binding for her second quilt that she was making for her cousin. Taking time to slow down and teach the younger generation to sew I am truly in awe of the grandmother who was obviously creating a wonderful memory for her grandchild. As we get older and look back on our youth, these are the memories that we most cherish. Gone are the days when sewing was a necessity and we learnt it like a chore. Now we only really have to if we enjoy it. But I often think of all the Asian sewers that do it to feed their families and how great their skills must be. Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each. (Plato) My goal in life is to learn as much as I can and to embrace the art of sewing. Mistakes, often teach me the most, as I look to find out what I did wrong and why it didnt work. But reading and listening to others that sew can stimulate me to try something new. Inspiration is all it takes to get me going. I usually end up doing more thinking than sewing, but maybe a log book of inspirational ideas would make a good reference for later, letting me revisit the ideas and thoughts.
Inspiration can come from many things. At Diamond and Pearl Fabrics we would like to inspire everyone to have a go at something new. Just this week we took delivery of over 500 metres of new patchwork fabric.
From Robert Kauffman we have the Imperial range, the Byzantium range and also a lovely range of batiks.
There is also 1 colour way of Under the Australian Sun. Also just arrived is a range of pastels from Michael Miller. All the winter dress fabrics are now on the stands and summer is packed away. There are some beautiful soft knits in this years range as well as the wool and wool blends and suitings for the jackets, skirts and pants.

Big News:

Mothers day is coming, and continuing with tradition, all the sewing machine companies have their discounts on again. Janome and Elna catalogues are in store now and we are expecting Husqvarna Viking and Brother catalogues any day now. Some notable specials are: Overlockers: JanomeElna Brother 8002DX $399 reg $599 +free scissors 644D $499 reg $799 +free scissors 644 (new model) $599 +free scissors 4234D (new model) $799 reg $899 This machine has built in needle threaders.
Huskylock S21 $799 reg $999 this also does Cover hem Quilting Machines: Janome Horizon $3499 + bonus $500 table & Scissors
MC6600 $2299 reg $2999 + free $500 table & scissors Elna Quilting Queen 7300 $1999 reg $2999 Plus free trolley bag and scissors HV Sapphire 875 $2499 reg $2899 Sapphire 835 $1699 reg $1999 Brother New Model QC2000 $2499 reg $2699
Embroidery Machines: Janome Elna MC 350E $1999 reg $2999 + free Scissors 8200 Xperience $1299 reg $2299 + BONUS trolley bag & scissors Brother Quattro $7999 $1000 off NV1250D $1999 reg $2299 HV Designer Diamond $1000 off $9999
Designer Topaz 30 $3299 reg $4299
Some Other great specials are: JanomePink Ribbon MS5027LE $449 save $50 + free scissors Pink Ribbon DC4030 $599 save $100 + free scissors MC 5200 $999 save $500 + free scissors Brother NS10 $349 reg $499 NS20 $399 reg $549 NS30 $449 reg $599 NV400 $899 reg $1199 HV Emerald 203 $799 reg $999 Emerald 183 $699 reg $799

Other Mothers Day Ideas

Singer Dress forms 5 left to clear:2 sizes 150 Bust 84-100cm 151 Bust 100-116cm These forms normally retail for $400 the 5 we have left in stock are only $220 each to clear.

WE have taken delivery of a lovely range of sewing baskets both round and square, in a nice range of printed fabric. All have trays and padded inter lids. Our thread range is increasing as well. New in are some beautiful Signature variegated cotton Threads (457m) at $9.90. WE also have added Mettler silk finish cotton threads, 500m at $10.90. These would make great additions to any quilters sewing basket. For those quilters out there that enjoyed Estelle Micklethaites Striped fabric circle quilts featured in Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazine will be happy to know that we have been able to get the 9 deg ruler that she used to create these beautiful quilts.

Up and Coming Events

School Holiday Classes for the 8 to 12 year olds. Wed 20th April 10am Notebook cover $20 Thurs 21st April 10am Stuffed Owl $20 For ladies with a Brother machine - Anne from Brother will be holding a workshop using the Brother Circular Attachment to make a fun bag. This will take place in May, possibly on a Friday. For the ladies who love both machine embroidery and quilting keep an eye out in the shop for the HOOPSISTERS quilt class. Fiona and I are both very excited about this. It is a quilt-as-you go quilt done in the hoop as a block of the month class. For more info check out the hoopsisters website.

A passing thought:

When we remember we are all mad, then the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. (Mark Twain) Keep Sewing Caroline and Fiona

OVERLOCKER SERIES

OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOC L ERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVE C E CKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SER K E R O OCKE SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER E V E C R K RI OCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOC E E E E E O SE R RIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERL L K E R ER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OV O V C E LOCK CKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERI K R R E K R OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER L V L R RIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOCKER SERIES OVERLOC I O

8002 DX

8002DX

8002DX Features

Presser foot pressure adjustment Stitch length: 1 - 4 mm Easy 2-step upper knife engagement Built-in thread cutter 3/4 thread overlocking Instructional DVD Cutting width: 3.1 mm - 7.3 mm Differential feed ratio: 0.5 - 2.25 Instant rolled hem conversion with chaining finger Colour-coded threading path with diagram 4 bonus attachments

Adjustable Cutting Width

Depending on the type or thickness of the material you sew, the seams may be too loose or too tight even when the tensions are correctly adjusted. In these cases, you can easily adjust the cutting width with this dial to correct the seam tension.
Easy Rolled Hem Change-Over
No need to change the needle plate for rolled hemming. Just slide the needle plate setting knob to R position to convert the plate for rolled hemming.

Differential Feed

The differential feed device is designed to prevent fabrics from puckering or stretching. Both stitch length and differential feed dials can be set at any time, even while sewing.

Bonus Attachments nts

Gathering attachment ment Elastic attachment nt Blind stitch foot Cording foot

AUSTRALIA

Janome Australia Pty Ltd. PO Box 1383, Moorabbin 3189 Victoria www.janome.com.au
AVAILABLE FROM YOUR EXPERT JANOME RETAILER

NEW ZEALAND

Janome Sewing Machine Co. (NZ) Ltd. PO Box 51009, Pakuranga, Auckland 2140 www.janome.co.nz

JMA11967