Ellie’s here!

February 6, 2026

My Elna 782 (same as Janome 9480) arrived yesterday. The shipping carton weighed almost 50 pounds! Thankfully, the UPS driver was kind enough to set it on my dining room table.

Ellie is the second generation after my Janome 8900. The two machines share many of the same characteristics, yet advancements in technology and product refinements with each generation (over the past 10 years) are something else. There’s definitely going to be a learning curve! Fortunately, the manual is well-written and the online tutorials are helpful. I was able to FMQ with the ASR very easily. I can’t wait to see what happens with my usual FMQ set up of a low tension bobbin case, quilting needle and Glide thread

A new acrylic cabinet insert has been ordered. I’ll experiment with 1/4″ piecing and see which needle plate works best for me. I may have to make a modification to the straight stitch plate as I did with the 8900. :-)

My machine quilting mojo has definitely returned. It took nearly five years, but I now have a large throat space computerized machine with a stitch regulator. Having the right tool makes all the difference.

In case your’re in the market for a Janome model with the ASR, The Sewing Machine Shop in Walnut Creek, CA has some inventory of the equivalent Elna models with ASR at extremely attractive pricing.

Die-Cutting System Re-Evaluation

February 5, 2026

Since Thanksgiving, I’ve pulled out my Sizzix machine to cut hundreds of HSTs and QSTs for a baby quilt and to process larger scrap pieces into units needed for charity quilts. I actually haven’t touched the strip cutting dies in months – rather, I’ve used the smaller shape cutting dies instead. For now, I think I’ll hang on to what I have, rather than selling the system. Like my serger, the Sizzix machine & dies are handy to have for when I need them.

That said, would I invest a die-cutting system if I didn’t already own one? Probably not. I can cut/sub-cut strips into rectangles and squares much faster with my Stripology XL and Squared Mini rulers versus the Sizzix machine – and with a lot less fabric waste. Paired with my Cricut Maker to cut applique shapes and letters, this set-up would easily meet my sewing and crafting needs without having to store multiple dies.

Everyone’s situation is different. I have friends with physical challenges for whom an electric die cutting system has been a godsend. Some like to travel with the small manual machine and a set of carefully chosen dies. Those with small helpers around prefer a die-cutting system for safety reasons versus a rotary cutter and ruler.

Do what works best for your needs and budget. No quilt police here.

One way to source quilting supplies

February 4, 2026

Recently, a book club member shared a post from her neighbor requesting help with divesting of his mom’s quilting/sewing/crafting supplies as she moved to an assisted living facility. The son sent photos of her stuff. Mom had obviously been a serious quilter. I shared a list of local organizations/groups I know of that could use the donations and also advised that our guild’s community service would appreciate any fabric she’d like to donate.

Nora and I went yesterday to see what was still available after family and friends had made their selections from the voluminous stash. Our small SUVs were packed with batting, bins of fabric, craft supplies, books, quilting rulers and stencils. We brought everything back to my house and spent 2-1/2 hours sorting through it all. About 10% of what we brought back was thrown away or taken to the recycling center.

We set aside items for the guild library, quilt show raffle basket goodies, young sewists needing supplies, and requests we’d received for items for specific community service projects (like muslin yardage and flannel pieces). We also picked out some items we wanted – batting, white-on-white yardage and yellow FQs for me, plus batik yardage/precuts for her. Nora took all the fabric she felt was suitable to cut pillowcase kits for community service (about half of what was left). The remainder stayed with me and will go to the infamous guild free table – where many quilters shop for fabric to use in community service projects.

All in all, over 80% of what we brought back will go to community service and the guild free table alone.

The takeaway: Keep an eye out for estate sales or downsizing sales mentioning quilters with large stashes. You never know what you might find.