PODCAST ANNOUNCEMENT

I go into detail in this episode about changes in the podcast schedule. For the past year, I have published consistent podcast episodes bi-weekly, and some extra mini-sodes as well. I am a self taught podcaster, and have learned the editing software, recording software, host program, show notes and much more, and I am sooooo proud of this podcast!

Now that I have experienced a full year of non-stop podcasting, I now have a good grasp of the time requirements, the need for monetization to keep up with podcast expenses ie hosting service, equipment, software etc. I feel a bit of burnout creeping in, and before I let that dissuade me from podcasting, I decided to make a change to the format.

I am not going anywhere…I still love to podcast. I am going to change to a seasonal format and schedule. The last episode of Season 1 will be on August 15, 2019. Season 2 will resume late September/early October. So please do not unsubscribe. Season 2 is just around the corner!

Thank you so much for listening to my podcast. I really love connecting with others that love to make, sew and quilt like I do. I love your feedback and even if it’s just to say hi!

One more episode is on the way, and then I will chat with you in the fall :)

Hugs and happy sewing,

Stephanie

Prelim Review of the Silhouette Cameo 4

I have a Silhouette Cameo 2, and I love everything about it, except the way you have to prepare fabric to be cut. You have to either back it with a very stiff stabilizer or spray it thoroughly and then let dry with Terrial Magic, which is a fabric stiffiener spray.

The Cricuit Maker introduced a year or so ago had a revolutionary upgrade…a rotary blade to cut fabric without having to add stabilizer. I had some thoughts…maybe…I should switch to Cricuit??

Now, I do not have to. The new Silhouette Cameo 4 will also have a rotary blade, and many more feature rich upgrades. The speed is 3x faster, there is a roll feeder tray built in so you can plop a roll of vinyl in and cut. You will be able to cut vinyl, card stock etc. without a mat…mattless cutting!

This upgrade is well worth considering if you own a prior model of Silhouette. If you have been wanting to get one, this new model will be available for purchase in September/October 2019. Yay!!!

New addition to my sewing machine - the Embroidery module

When I purchased this used Bernina 780 from my local quit shop last year, I passed on the embroidery module. I was more focused on quilting and hand embroidery, plus I have an older Babylock Ellure Plus embroidery machine.

Well, my design client asked me to machine embroider napkins for her upcoming cookbook photo shoot, plus she is going to want more items embroidered as well. I was going to dig out my old machine, but I wanted to see if the quilt shop still had this module available for my machine. It was meant to be - they did have it, and now I have a brand new Bernina 780 embroidery module.

I have not opened the box yet, but I plan to do a video for my YouTube channel to show this module. I did a video last year when I got the 780.

Hmmm, I wonder how many embroidered napkins I will have to make to pay for this machine? LOL

Piece n Quilt Online Shop

Visit Natalia’s online shop to find her rulers, books, and other merchandise. Natalia is offering Make and Decorate listeners 15% off with the promo code SEWING. This discount will expire 8/31/119, so be sure to visit her shop and check out her new ruler, the inside out, and her new book Creative Straight Line Quilting. http://www.piecenquilt.com/shop/Books--Patterns/Books.htm

Creative Straight Line Quilting is a brand new book release in August 2019!! Click the photo or this link to purchase the book. http://www.piecenquilt.com/shop/c/p/Visual-Guide-to-Creative-Straight-Line-Quilting-Professional-Quality-Results-on-Any-Machine-x37087595.htm

Natalia Bonner’s YouTube Channel

Natalia is currently posting a machine quilting video every day for 365 days with a new quilting design tutorial. Also, check out the video below, when her kids take over the camera. We chat about this video in the podcast.

Natalia quilts on a Gammill longarm machine

There are many longarm machine choices out there, and it can be overwhelming to know which one is for you. In this episode, Natalia gives some tips and things to consider when you are looking at longarm machines.