So,
I was messaging with my childhood friend Chris last week, discussing the trials
of adjustment after parents pass from this life. She concluded a message by lamenting that she really missed the simplicity of her trusty
old Deco 600 embroidery machine, which is now worn out. She extolled its virtues
– affordable, easy to set up, beautiful work. That’s when it occurred to me
that some things in life can’t be changed while others can. “Why not replace that
embroidery machine,” I suggested.
Discussion
ensued. Chris initially concluded that the machine she envisioned was no longer
manufactured, but by happenstance, I found one online (the Brother pe-770) that I thought
might fit her criteria and sent the link. By the time it reached her, she had already
found and ordered the same model through Amazon. And then I caught her
enthusiasm. “Is this something I might enjoy?” I asked. We agreed that I would
wait until hers came and she’d had a chance to test it before I ordered one for
myself. Wednesday morning she texted, “It’s here – stay tuned.”
(I
should add here that Chris is an expert machine embroiderist, and under her
guidance, I have also learned. We both have other embroidery machines and the
necessary threads, stabilizers, fabrics, and know-how. In other words, it’s
just a matter of learning a new machine. Chris will step right into it, and
hopefully, I won’t be far behind.)
The "Listening Circle" at Chief Timothy State Park |
Two
hours later, Chris was convinced she loved her new pe-770. “I say you order one
and I’ll do a training session,” she texted. Sounded like a plan to me, so I
placed my order immediately. Amazon committed to deliver on Friday (two-day
free delivery, you know), but the shipping notice said delivery by 8:00 p.m.
Thursday. When Mike and I returned from a geocaching hike at Chief Timothy
Thursday forenoon, there it was at the back door – overnight delivery. (Maybe Amazon was afraid I’d
change my mind.)
From Chief Timothy State Park |
“I
thought you were going to wait to see if Chris liked hers before you ordered
yours,” messaged daughter Hallie.
“I
did wait,” I replied. I mean – how long did she think this wait was
going to be?!
So,
where was I going to put this machine? And yes, I did think about this before
ordering but refused to be deterred by lack of space. I remembered an old
serger table in the garage and set that up behind my sewing machine. Yes, the
room is cramped. Enter at your own risk -- and don't touch anything!
It
took an hour or so for me to thread the machine, but eventually I was up and
running. I stitched out one design, and then I had to get supper. But I'll be back at it.
Here’s
my latest American Girl creation – a karate uniform. I actually made two – one for
Emmy’s Elizabeth and a second for Emmy’s friend’s doll. The girls attend karate
class together and have matching AG dolls. KW
3 comments:
Oh! I have to tell you that YOU ARE the one who alerted me to this machine. I got your message and link. I checked it out and was going to order it when Dan asked if Amazon sold it. I checked there, found it was less expensive, and *he* pressed "buy now with one click"! So much fun and I never would have found it without you!
Thanks for telling me. You acted fast, so I naturally assumed you had already found it. I was spending a gift certificate at Michael's website when I saw the "Machines" category and decided to take a look. And of course, I didn't know if it would work for you or not, but the rest is history, as they say.
You hit me at the right time! Again, thank you!
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