After bringing the family to the Open House on Saturday, my wife is all kinds of on-board for joining the DMS
As we do (this week), she will be taking whatever steps are necessary to start and grow a committee for those interested in quilting and sewing, with the eventual goal of purchasing a long-arm sewing machine for use with quilts.
So my question today is, how much existing interest is there in such a group at DMS?
She has lots of connections around DFW to drum up membership through quilts guilds, etc., but would like to know if there are any current DMS members who have been wanting a more substantial needle-work presence and would be involved to some degree from the start.
Also thinking a more industrial sewing machine that can handle canvas & leather might be a well-accepted addition to the space - you think?
Just had this EXACT conversation with some other members right after the Grand Opening. I would be very interested if we got a long arm. But after that talk, I think the industrial machine would be the best starting point for the most interest and use.
Even our current sewing machines are a little sub par, IMO. Another need if quilting/sewing started flourishing would be a nice big table for piecing.
But yes, I’m really interested if she wants to talk!
Also I believe there is already a committee in place that this would fall under, Creative Arts. @Haley_Moore is the chair. Another resource for someone for your wife to talk with.
My mother is a long time user of longarm/statler as well as looms, spinning wheels, etc., in Granbury. I’ll ask her to post up on the thread if she has anything to offer.
I have been using the embroidery machine a lot and there seem to be a lot of people interested in more sewing stuff. I have heard a couple request something with leather capability.
I quilt and sew avidly and would love to have a longarm in the space. BUT … (and I’m going to show my ignorance here since I don’t own a longarm) I think projects tend to be “on” the machine for a very long period of time (if we’re talking about one with a “frame”) … not the typical off and on that we expect for joint-use machines. Anyone else have thoughts about that issue?
If I can stay a member longer than a couple months (personal funds being what they are) I would love to help grow the creative arts. I want to learn quilting and how to use the embroidery machine but I think there are some other opportunities for the craft area to branch out into.
Did I see a knitting machine up on a shelf? Is that functional?
We DO have a CNC Knitter that can do–IIRC–up to 3 color patterns. Its a very long and narrow machine. Last I heard it was operational, but there are currently very few (like 1, maybe 2) people who actually know how to use it.
Yeah, the Singers are kind of entry level, but the Baby Lock is nice!
I think a specifically sewing-oriented group is a great idea! I want to
set up a permanent sewing machine table in the Arts room, but things need
to be shuffled around first.
A long arm might be a thing we can buy, if there’s enough interest.
I don’t have any idea what the power cord looks like, but I seem to recall an extra power cord in the clear plastic tub that houses the Babylock accessories. There is one in there for the Babylock but I think there is also a spare one in there. Chris
I bought this sewing machine several years ago for a commercial project, sewing through 4 layers of heavy nylon flag material AND a piece of nylon webbing. Have not used it since. I believe that the needle and bobbin are out of sync, but that should not be a major issue to adjust.
Since there seems to be a ground swell of interest in sewing, it can be donated free to the space in you can get Hailey to say yes.
Great find on that thread @AlexRhodes. I need to figure out where Phone, Knife, PDA Africa is? It seems like you would need a real beast of a machine for sewing thick leather.
But, this thread seems to be split a bit. Are we looking for a long arm machine for quilting, or are we looking of a sewing machine for leather work? I’m not sure we need both options in one machine. I’m far from an expert on either, but wouldn’t want to miss a good machine for an option that might not be necessary.
We had a similar experience, except my wife, Lorretta, does sewing and embroidery, with a focus on costuming. She wants to teach some machine embroidery classes at DMS
With a few supplies, the loading of the longarm shouldn’t take more than a half hour, and the actually quilting shouldnt’ take more than a few hours. If we post a signup sheet for specific times, and limit use for each person to 12/24 hours, I think it would be doable with a longarm.
One of the quilt shops that rents out longarms provides long nylon zippers to be used. Makes it much more portable
