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Creative Re-Purposing

3/30/2014

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PictureRe-Purposed Computer Disc Cabinet
As everyone is into re-purposing I thought I would share one of my very easy projects. All I had to do was haul it home and load it with thread.

I work for a company that has been in existence for decades and has a lot of computers for the offices staff, engineers, etc. Almost everyone has access to at least one computer. As such, there have been a multitude of storage requirements for floppy disc storage through the years. Now that everything is on servers, the cabinets previously used for housing the discs are no longer needed. As old equipment is retired, employees are given the opportunity to purchase or are given this old equipment.

I was able to bring home a cabinet that used to house 3.5" discs. Since the company kept "history" discs we had to have large cabinets to store them. This cabinet has two pull out drawers. The upper drawer still had the boxes that the discs were stored in. These are perfect for for the Hemmingworth threads that we own and they would hold taller cones. I have labeled them by color and group them in the boxes. This is helpful for David since his partial color-blindness can be an issue for him when choosing thread colors.

The lower drawer holds a selection of our larger cones and spools. This cabinet was originally designed to be stack-able and is sturdy. I am able to put more thread cases or other items on top. This maximizes my storage area. You might be able to prowl the thrift stores or used office supply resale stores to find your own.

I would love to hear what you have re-purposed for your studio.

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Pennywinkle Sunshine 16 MidArm

8/22/2013

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PictureSunshine 16 - Take it Anywhere version
A new (to us) machine is now on the market, the Sunshine 16. David has been looking for a few years for a machine that would make quilting our larger pieces easier. The issue: On a domestic machine with a standard size throat (7 to 9 inches) anything over 30 inches wide becomes a little cumbersome. Rolling and folding the quilt is the only way to get larger pieces quilted. Some drag is caused making smooth transitions in direction more difficult.

David tested out this machine at the Long Beach show. This is the vendors (Pennywinkle Valley Ranch) first west coast exhibit. They are from the mid-west and concentrate on shows closer to home.

David was very impressed with this machine. Not only does it sew very well, but the price point is very attractive for the basic model. David stitched out with metallic thread on a fast speed. The thread did not shred and the tension top and bottom was great. He likes the fact that your hands are on the table and not on handles. He feels he has more control and is comfortable with this hand position as it is the same as when working on a domestic machine. The acrylic table that comes with the machine works like a slip sheet so the quilt glides over the surface. The machine we tested was sitting on a card table. Yes, a card table with its little spindly card table legs. It was smooth, vibration free, and the table did not feel like it was in danger of collapse. There were several machines set up in the booth and each one had a different type thread on it from all different thread manufacturers. This tells me this is not a prima donna machine.

The machine is basic. It has no fancy features like automatic needle up/down. It has a governor for setting your maximum speed while you work. That enables you to set your preferred speed and always go pedal to the metal. There is a needle advance wheel that you can use to move the needle position. It is an industrial looking machine. No flowers, no fancy paint job. I personally like it. It looks like a great little work horse and I am sure that is what it is. Simple mechanics means it will be simple to maintain. A little oil and lint cleaning and it should last for years and years. It also means that getting any work done on it can probably be taken care of by a local shop or even the owner if of a techy ability. David inspected this machine quite a bit and was impressed with the quality.

The machine is built to order. At the time we looked at it there is about a two month wait. I see a possibility of this machine in our future.
The best thing about the machine we tested? The price. $1,750.00
This machine also comes in a 24 inch model. There are options to purchase handles, a table or frame.

Did you see this machine? Did you test it out? What did you think?

Update Aug, 2014: For those of you looking at this machine and hearing some positive or negative things about it, you must rely on your own personal makeup. I am a person who loves to figure things out. I am not afraid to adjust tension or other items. I loved the look of this machine as it appears to be something not too finicky that I could tinker with and tweak exactly the way I want it. If you have the sort of personality where you don't want or like to mess with things you might want to purchase a machine where you have local support. Neither personal style is better or worse, but it should be a part of your decision on the actual machine you purchase.

I still have not purchased this machine, but it is high on my list. It appears I am in need of replacing my 30+ year old machine first. 

Nothing but the Specs

Sunshine 16 Take it Anywhere
Sits on your table
Table top measures  32" wide by 24"  deep
Adjustable foot pads on Acrylic top
Variable foot pedal
Speed
control to set maximum speed
$1,750.00
Two year warranty
Picture
Sunshine 16 in a Free Standing table with side boards    
  • The side boards will help keep your quilt project from sliding off the edge
    of the table top
  • Table top measures  48" wide by 32" deep
  • Legs are adjustable in height with locking casters
  • $2,395.00
Details of Sunshine 16
16" deep by 7" tall throat space
Precision built, extruded aluminum body
Head, base & other interior parts are CNC
machined out of aluminum for a light weight construction
Machine weights approximately 35 pounds
Needle bar does not need to be oiled because of the
special linear bearings to ensure no oil coming in contact with your fabric

Precision high speed sealed bearings on upper and lower shafts which means no bushings or oiling wicks
1/5 hp, 2.9 amp ac/dc motor
Runs up to 2200 stitches a minute
Variable speed control on front of electrical box
Synchronous belts and pulleys
Fused on/off switches for main power and lights
Two halogen lights
Needle plate is flush to work surface

 Free starter kit:
    Two packages of needles (10 needles per  package) size 16 & 18
    Thread samples
    Steel bobbins
    Pre-wound
    Two styles of bobbin cases, standard and back lash
    Oil
    Lint Brush    
    Set of screw drivers
    Nippers
    Thread net
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Studio is almost done

11/3/2011

1 Comment

 
David and I have been working on getting the studio put back together. Most of the items that we lugged out of the studio have returned to their home. We are in the process of reorganizing some of the supplies. Last weekend we even got to work on some new pieces of art.

 We purchased the Koala DualMate Plus IV for our new sewing cabinet. It is fabulous. We now have a nice "clean" looking area that gives both of us a great sewing surface. Sewing Machines Plus in San Marcos had a floor model that we were able to get for a price that made us happy. We purchased the white version of the cabinet. I had money I was saving for a new computer and dual monitors, but maybe next year. I will be posting pictures later when I take some that show it nicely.

My goal is to get everything cleaned and put away by the end of this weekend. Life will return to a semi normal state, except did I mention the microwave died yesterday? It is back to the teapot for us…
Picture
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Studio Nearing Completion and Sales!

10/19/2011

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I am so happy to report that the studio is nearing completion. The painting is complete, most of the shelving is back on the walls (except for the one that came crashing down yesterday) but that is another story. Note to self: Use different bracket system for storing six large containers of thread.

The unfortunate thing is, now that the freshly painted room (except for the ceiling and I am not looking up until a cobweb hits me in the nose) the hodge-podge of furniture that we had for our sewing tables looks lame. I have been saving my pennies for an upgrade on the computer, but now I am thinking a new sewing cabinet system for our machines might be a better idea.

David and I sold two pieces out of the Acorn Gallery in Idyllwild and that money will in the future move out to stimulate that ol' economy when I get enough collected. We did stop and look at one system in person and I did some internet research and spied another that might work. One is a dual set up, both machines in one cabinet, and the other is separate cabinets for each machine. The dual cabinet would give the studio a very clean look and the other would allow some different positioning options.  The problem with that is there are not a lot of options in the studio because of the cabinets hanging on the wall, the window and design board positions. Both types would most likely end up in the same area.

The two we are considering are the Koala Dual Mate IV or the Kangaroo and Joey. (Are you spotting a theme here?) They both turn out to be about the same cost even though from different companies. We saw the Dual Mate in person and it seems very well constructed and is a USA company. I have not done all the research on the Kangaroo but it is also at a local shop.  David and I will check out the materials on the Kangaroo before the big decision.
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    David & Patricia

    We are fiber artists that live in Southern California. We work our jobs by day and create our art by night. 
    Currently we have some of our work available online at Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ

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