A New Piece of Equipment

I got a new toy. 

Ahem.

I got a new piece of equipment.

I had been operating in a sort of handicapped manner. I was using an older sewing machine that was purchased years and years ago. It was inexpensive and all that I could afford at the time. It has served its purpose and is limping along. The back up option no longer works and sometimes it is a hit or miss if it will zig-zag consistently. I decided that I really would like to upgrade.

I was sort of inspired by Leslie Saeta from My One Hundred Year Old Home. She recently shared about her Craft Room Upgrade and her new-to-her embroidery machine. Now, I have wanted an embroidery machine for years, but like Leslie mentions in her post, they can be a bit pricey and shopping for what I might want was rather confusing. 

I consulted my daughter and she gave me some tips because she has her own small business where she offers some machine embroidered goods. Her advice has been quite helpful to me because she knows me so well and knows a bit about the things I like and would like to stitch up. So, I surfed online and did my research. Then, I trekked off to visit the shop where my daughter gets her sewing machines serviced, Angus Sewing Center.

The gal there was so helpful at showing how to use different machines and explaining what options are available and giving tips for what to use to have the most success. So, I left with a new machine - a new piece of equipment to use in my endeavors. 

(Total aside: The Mister has a full machinery shed with all sorts of hay equipment that was an absolute need for his farming endeavor. So, I am 'justifying' myself at needing an upgrade in equipment sort of like he does when he gets a new piece of farm equipment.)

I brought home a Brother SE2000 Combo Sewing and Embroidery Machine and some accessories. My old sewing machine had been set up back in a dark little corner of my office. I knew that I wanted my space to be more efficient and inviting for my sewing enjoyment. So, as I mentioned in a post earlier this month, I worked on the office to make it better serve its purpose and accommodate for my new upgrade.

My upgrade can be seen there to the left of the desk. I can still enjoy the views outside the window and I have plenty of space to work. I can set needed items on the corner of the desk for easy access. For now that has been the perch for the operator's manual and extra spools of thread while I'm working on a project. 

I'm using the gifted typing table that has my name on it and it works just perfectly. It is just the right size and is sturdy but doesn't have space for me to set a bunch of junk on it when I'm not stitching. The boxes below it are currently holding the embroidery attachment and some of the accessories that came with it. This works fine until I have a better organizational idea of how often I will use them and where I should store those items when not in use. 

There has been a learning curve to using my upgraded equipment. I've already completed a couple of projects and have learned so much in the process. I love the precision that it provides when stitching. I've done some repair work to sew up a few rips. I love the simplicity of the way it fits together when changing out the embroidery deck and the sewing deck. I already love the options it provides for embroidery projects. My first embroidery project was adding a design to some napkins. I learned about the sizes available by completing a couple of practice samples and learned lots more things about the options the machine offers that I will share later. I tried out a couple of fonts for embroidering names and monograms and sizing that it offers for that. Then, completed a simple project for one of the grands to apply what I had learned.

A headband made from an old T-shirt and personalized.

I must say that I am so very grateful to be able to have the time and the opportunity to indulge in such a fine piece of equipment. It is rewarding to create something from scratch and even when a project doesn't turn out as perfectly as I imagine, I am grateful to be able to give it a try!