My lesson for today.....
 

I have been piecing and quilting for a couple of years now. I’m on my way to getting “pretty good” at FMQ on my Husqvarana Rose machine…and then it happened a couple of weeks ago…..I played on a sit down TinLizzie 18 at our local quilt shop. I wished someone would have warned me “STOP!”, but no, no warning…I just sat downand …well… I created. <sigh>
</sigh>
Fast forward to the past few days—I have fought my once beloved Rose while FMQ a quilt for the DH. I have wrestled with the bulk- ripped out stitches- held my breath---allthe while trying to figure out “what is my problem?” This morning, whilesitting on the back porch sipping coffee, while re-playing the frustration overand over again, trying to figure out why was this quilt so hard… it came tome!!! You see, I am like a farmer whouses a horse and plow to overturn his field. Mr. Farmer knows that there’s an easier way, but not being able to afford the “latest and greatest” he is content to use what he has. One day, he visits his neighbors, AND, the neighbor anxious to show off his pride and joy offers Mr. Farmer to takes a ride on his gas powered tractor! It’s at that moment;he realizes a whole new world lies beneath him. He gets excited as he feels the power of the machine, sees the progressand envisions all he could do if had a machine like this.
But alas his joy ride is over. He goes home and once again, hooks up the horse to the plow and trudges through the fields. He finally settles it in his mind that “oneday” he’ll get that tractor. I too hope for that “one day” for my quilting machine~~but until then, I am relearning the lesson of being content with what God has given me at this moment…..<sigh>:o Have a fantastic day!!!!
</sigh>
:o

This is so true.......

That was wonderful and so hard to do at times

Amen! But I am thankful that I have plenty and am healthy enough to use it. Good day to you too

I went thru kinda like this too. We do need to be content with what God provides for us. I thought I was going to buy a Pfaff quilting machine, I also have a Rose. Then my son's car died and he needed that money for his car. Oh well. I have a nice machine. Hopefully God will upgrade our machines soon.lol

Looks good. I don't think we have them in the UK yet.

You are right ....it is too easy to covet .... especially here where everyone is bragging all the time!!! :) :) :) :)

I can totally relate to your analogy. Only I coveted the Innova on a rack. Well I saved and saved and prayed and I did get my Innova with my savings and some help from family. So dreams do come true!

While at the Paducah Quilt show, I quite purposely did not touch any of those machines - just know that once I start, that will be all I can think about. I do not have the space until I'm ready to give up my living room for it.

A gratitude attitude is the way to a content life. I too can do a decent job on my domestic machine but would love the room for a long arm. What helps me is to read about QB members wrestling with their tension and their desire to throw their long arm out the window. :D

:thumbup: yes, I feel the same about getting a sewing machine with fancy stitches -- I have a Singer from 1990 that sews well and is little trouble with no real maintenance needed -- it is somewhat simple in that it has 3 stitches for making buttonholes and 3 or 4 zigzags and a straight stitch -- no electronics etc. -- but sometimes I wish for a blanket stitch and some others....

I am relearning the lesson of being content with what God has given me at this moment…..<sigh>:o Have a fantastic day!!!!
</sigh>
:o

This is a very important lesson and one that I definitely struggle with too! Whenever I am having a particularly difficult time I go and look at some of the VERY elaborately quilted quilts such as America, Let It Shine http://godutchbaby.blogspot.com/2011...by-sherry.html . There are many, many others as well. It reminds me it is about the skill and truly having mastery over one's machine. No matter what the machine.

I also wanted a long arm but it didn't matter how many times I measured my rooms they just weren't big enough. After seeing the beautiful creations a friend did on her domestic machine I decided I really should be satisfied with what I have. If she can create that beauty then so can I. AND do I really want to have to learn another machine and another process. Since coming to that decision I have felt very much at peace with myself so I know I made the right decision.

I gave up half my living room with absolutely no regrets, and my husbands best wishes. It bothers nobody in our home. I love living in a space that reflects and supports our mutual interests.

lol, don't let those stories scare you ;-) DSM have the same problem.

you said it all.

I too would absolutely love to have a long arm, my quilting might not be any better on it than my DSM, but at least I wouldn't have to wrestle with the darn quilt. This past weekend though, I was at a yard sale and it just so happens that the gal I talked to, has a long arm and rents it out for $20 an hour, so that's what I'm planning on doing and she's not that far away from me, about 20 miles. But, like you, one of these days, I'll have my own long arm.

I limit myself to where i'm going to browse and touch no machines anywhere except for the older ones. I remind myself of the one picked up on the curb and may go backout on the curb and the 2 apparently that were given away( I must have really been inebriated at that moment) or really out of it because of pain meds or some kind of dope. Something! So now I just work with what I paid $200.00 for be grateful I have it.

That's a great opportunity!

I guess you probably shouldnt look at Vikings new machines, including a 16in harp one. Talk about drooling. I have the Diamond and I'm still drooling.

my workhorse is a 70s Kenmore. I keep a walking foot on my 90s plastic Sears machine (it was my first). My kids know not ever to mess with my machines without my permission.

I tell them all that I am satisfied using what I have. I have cams, if I ever decide to try to tackle some embroidery. So- so far so good. Except, I would like a larger harp for quilting.

If I *have* to replace a machine, I just might dream big! ;0))

I kind of agree with Tartan. No matter what type of machine you are coveting, just come on this Board and search for it.... you'll find a whole host of people who love theirs, and another group who are ready to toss theirs into the street! :) It really helps every time I get the urge to buy another machine. :) But best of luck to all who have those newfangled, large-harp machines and love 'em!

I totally agree with this. Maybe one day. . .

I know the feeling of wanting a new machine or a fancy die cutter etc. But then I think of all those beautiful quilts from the 19th and early 20th centuries that I have seen, made entirely by hand.
New and expensive machines are nice, but I hope my patience and skill will make up for the lack of these.

I've never felt I could toss a machine to the street. Choose your tools wisely. That old horse has some value.

I will be happy as long as my two 9" straight stitch only machines keep sewing and I don't break something in them. I am content with them, no space for anything bigger.

I have one Janome 360 QDC with simple embroidery stitches. I saw a $10,000 Innova at a quilt show, which seemed like a lot of $, but some people pay nearly that much for a high-end sewing machine. I think it has to do with the investment - are you going to exhibit? sell? teach? rent it out? - as well as just enjoying the LA artistic process.

I'm just quilting for the enjoyment of it, and a $10K investment in a machine which would get used at max half a dozen times a year (figuring I've been quilting for 2 1/2 years and have made maybe 15 projects) would be ridiculous. When I'm ready, I can go to a LQS where they will teach you and rent it out.

Not tossed to the street. I add to my collection. :)

Loved your story!! But your attitude even more. Your a very wise woman.

Yes, that lesson has to be repeated to me over and over again. Thanks for the reminder and good luck to you in your endeavors. :-)

Oh such a difficult lesson. I'd never heard that story but I like it and now will try to remember when I covet the latest greatest when mostly already happy with what I have! Thank you for a great lesson I appreciate it!

Great attitude. Great reminder for me!

DH and DS are farmers...and I love your analogy!

There is nothing wrong with wanting to have something that will make a project easier.

There is something very right with appreciating what one has and using it to the best of one's ability.

Your analogy was excellent.

Your story was touching. I think we all covet at times, but feel better when appreciation for what we do have sets in. I to tried a very expensive long arm at a quilt show and it was wonderful. However, my older Bernina does sew well and I do enjjoy what I have and grateful that it sews nicely. If the time comes that I have space and the means of something nicer I hope I also have the time to enjoy that. Most importantly we all need to remember to enjoy what our God Lord has provided and your story did reflect that truth.

Thank you for your reminder to appreciate what I have.

Cute story and oh so true. Our heads are turned so easy it makes it difficult to see what good we really have. Glad you came back around.

Yes, a LA would probably be nice but I've quilted so many large 120 x 120 quilts on my DSM that I am now quite comfortable with it and honestly don't have the desire to go through the learning curve that would be required with a LA machine. Instead of getting a LA, I think I will get an automatic generator for my house for when the power goes out (which is often) and I would even have enough money to replace a couple of windows for what a LA would cost!! (That is when I get the money saved up "someday.")

Contentment is often what we need. I decline going shopping, quilt shopping and other shopping too, just because I so often get snagged into desiring what I don't need. When I spend my day yearning for bigger and better, I forget to be thankful for the good that I already have. Would I like a better machine with a larger harp or down need feature, sure, but my machine works well and is sufficient for my skill level. Do I like that beautiful cut of fabric, sure, but I have bins and bins of fabric to use. Thank you good Lord for all that you have given to me and.. sew on! I'll know when it is time for that upgraded machine or that spectacular cut of fabric for that special quilt when the time is right!

Thank you for posting this. We all need to be reminded every now and then to be content. This applies to things other than sewing machines too!