List Price: $14.95
Sale Price: $14.90
Today's Bonus: $0.05 Off
This punch makes a nice, clean, attractive strip that looks lovely on handmade greeting cards and other paper crafts.
It punches smoothly and easily.
Showing posts with label janome quilting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label janome quilting. Show all posts
Tonic Studios 776 Simplicity Pattern Punch Celtic Strip
List Price: $14.95
Sale Price: $14.90
Today's Bonus: $0.05 Off
This punch makes a nice, clean, attractive strip that looks lovely on handmade greeting cards and other paper crafts.
It punches smoothly and easily.
Brother XR9500PRW Limited Edition Project Runway Sewing Machine
List Price: $479.00
Sale Price: $149.97
Today's Bonus: 69% Off
As a sewing beginner, I was not sure I should get a Brother sewing machine. I had been using my mother's Singer (Athena) for the past few months and really liked it, but it was a little out of my price range. I decided to get this machine for some of the features and the excellent price. There are a few things that I like more than the Singer. First, the drop in bobbin. I was used to having to pull up the bobbin thread on the Singer and have quickly gotten used to skipping that step. Next, the speed adjustment switch. It keeps me from sewing too fast at times and I can set in on the lowest speed when my daughter is sewing. I love that the hand crank has a mark on it to show where the needle is in its highest position. But you don't actually need that since there is a needle up and down button. It was also new to me, but I have quickly learned to use it and appreciate it. I find the light is very good, the machine is fast and quiet. It was very easy to set up and begin to use. I chose it over a few of the slightly lower end Brothers for the hard case and the table, which are both useful. I think the features I mentioned earlier were even more beneficial to me. Finally, there are more than enough types of stitches. The monogramming feature works easily. The feet are easy to change, and the digital display tells you which foot to use.
Finally, I will say that the needle threader on the Singer is unique--you can do it with one hand. This machine's mechanism is slightly more difficult, but now that I've mastered it I've not threaded the needle by hand even once.
This machine is fantastic! It has renewed by interest in sewing and seems to be a quality product that will last for years. I will update if I have any significant issues with the machine.
24 Sterling Silver Clasp Lobster Claw Jewelry Part 10mm
The lobster claws are great but they are slightly smaller than 10mm. I was a little disappointed at first but have made them work for smaller items. I wish they would've given the mm measurement for the clasp and not the ring and clasp combined, or if not then explain the measurement is the ring and clasp combined. At first glance it appeared to be the measurement of the clasp itself which is a little misleading. Above that, the clasps are great quality and the shipping was fast and well handled.
Distinctive Pintuck Sewing Machine Presser Foot - Fits All Low
List Price: $16.99
Sale Price: $11.99
Today's Bonus: 29% Off
High quality, well made product. I will buy all of these Distinctive presser feet as the price is much lower than my chain fabric and crafts store. They fit both my Singer and White sewing machines. I also bought the book The Sewing Machine Accessory Bible: Get the Most Out of Your Machine---From Using Basic Feet to Mastering Specialty Feet which is great. I had a couple of feet that this book helped me identify and together with my Distinctive feet I am happily sewing again.
Tri Electronics GXL-24 Pro Gold Tester
List Price: $575.00
Sale Price: $399.00
Today's Bonus: 31% Off
I'm in the coin business and buy a lot of scrap gold and silver. I thought this thing would stream-line my tried-and-true method of acid/scratch testing: It does not. I tried it multiple times to verify known standards (24k credit suise bar and 22k gold eagles) and it does not come back with the correct measurement consistently. Out of ten measurements and ten cleanings maybe it was close about 20% of the time. Most of the measurements came back low and that is unacceptable...unless your intention is to rip people off. Not accurate enough for me. I even measured some 14k samples and it came back 16k and 18k a few times...that's ok if you want to rip yourself off.
Most of the vendors that I saw selling this unit WILL NOT accept it back for a refund if it has been used at all: How are you supposed to know if it works if you don't use it? My original unit was purchased from a vendor that also sells on the most popular of all auction sites (I still payed about the same for it). And, my unit's power switch broke off the second I took it out of the box. I contacted the seller and he didn't want anything to do with the busted unit and that any defects have to be resolved with the manufacturer. The manufacturer is in my same state of CA and they didn't get to fixing my unit until I called and yelled at them a little...after all I only had about five days left of the ten days to return the item for "credit" or an exchange. What a joke. The seller by the way was iGem, and I purchased the high-end GXL-24. I know this is a review for the GT-4000, but they all have the same testing electronics with in them. All of them are junk.
Spellbinders S6-004 Nestabilities Detailed Scallops Die
List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $27.43
Today's Bonus: 31% Off
This is a beautiful die set' however, it can be difficult to remove your paper from the die. The filigree edges tend to want to tear away. I had heard several 'ideas' about how to sort this out. I tried Talcum Powder and Wax Paper, but still had difficulty, mostly with the 2nd largest die. The solution was to rub a 'Bounce' dryer sheet over the top of the die (on the cutting edge) before running it through my machine (I have the Grand Calibur). Once cut, I carefully used a 'pokey' (ball-end) tool and quilling tool to punch through all the holes -with the dryer sheet being used, it came out quite easily.
Silver Creek Knife Pouch Leather Kit
List Price: $7.99
Sale Price: $4.70
Today's Bonus: 41% Off
Ordered for my son who is taking leather works merit badge at boy scout camp this summer. Meets the requirement, priced about the same as the scout shop but arrived quickly.
Iwata-Medea Studio Series Smart Jet Single Piston Air Compressor
List Price: $314.95
Sale Price: $258.95
Today's Bonus: 18% Off
This is a pretty decent entry-level compressor. If you're just getting into airbrushing or you know you're only ever going to work on small projects, this is an excellent purchase. However, if you're potentially at risk of working on anything larger than a model kit or a t-shirt you'll probably want to bite the bullet and get something with a larger capacity now rather than later. I've recently started customizing bike frames and on the long strokes this compressor's capacity can feel frustratingly anemic.
So to sum up:
Small projects = good
Large projects = bad
Eilat Stone rosary cross (0.8")
I have not received this one yet. The one I did get I had to track down all the way in England. It's a pink colored one. I think it's a great gift idea for babies first admitted into baptism as they are truly small and babies are small. Just pick one that you think resembles your child and you and your baby might just be pleased with the color and the feel it brings. Thank you.
Hector Cruz
Hector Cruz
Lortone 3a Tumbler - 3lb Capacity - TUM-110.00
I've collected rocks (mineral specimens) since my Dad took me out to a road cut in the late 60s. We've used a number of tumblers through the years and even tried a vibratory tumbler. The Lortone 3A tumble stands with the best that we've tried. The container is easy to open and fill. The tumbler is quiet and very reliable. I've had to baby sit some other designs that look somewhat similar to this on (overheating, slipping belt, breaking belt); however, the Lortone runs without a problem quietly doing its job. The end product a batch of polished stones is as good as any I've expected in the 40 or so years I've been tossing rocks into a tumbler.
Uniquely You Your Shape Pinnable Dressform - Medium Large
The idea of dressform that has no adjustments, but requires a cover which you use to compress it to the exact proportions you need, is unusual, but brilliant. Unlike other forms which rely on lightweight metal or plastic parts (that can break), this one uses a solid high density flexible foam. Adjust the cover (by sewing) to the exact dimensions you need, and slip it over the form. Initial setup takes a while, but once done, you can use it to your heart's content, without fear of anything breaking. My only concern is the method used to adjust the height. It is a dual diameter plastic or nylon collar. The wider end is attached to the rod at the base of the dressform and the floor stand slides into the lower/smaller end. Both ends are tightened with thumbscrews. So far, this hasn't proved to be a problem.
Janome Hemmer Feet (4mm & 6mm) for Horizontal Rotary Hook Models
List Price: $24.99
Sale Price: $21.60
Today's Bonus: 14% Off
I ordered this set of presser feet for my new Janome machine. I expected to receive Janome feet, as pictured, in the original packaging. What I received was two presser feet in a zip-top baggie, with a photocopied sheet of "instructions." Nowhere in the product information stated that some off-brand presser feet would be sent. I tried them on my machine, and they did not fit well. I went to a local store that sells Janome accessories, and compared them, and they are nowhere near the quality of true Janome feet, for nearly the same price. I requested to return the items, which I have to pay return shipping on. I am NOT pleased with this company, and will not be purchasing from them again. I will be purchasing all Janome accessories from an actual Janome dealer. Lesson learned.
JUKI MO654DE Portable Thread Serger Sewing Machine
List Price: $1,320.00
Sale Price: $397.00
Today's Bonus: 70% Off
This is my fifth serger and, so far, my favorite. For the last five years I have mostly sewn on a Baby lock Imagine, and then a Baby Lock Evolve. These are excellent, very easy to use sergers, but very expensive. In addition, I found the Evolve, the one I used the most, had trouble going over thick seams. When the Evolve was getting serviced earlier this year I bought a vintage Juki (MO-104) and loved it but decided I needed a more modern one with differential feed and a rolled hem.
This Juki has it all. It is very stable--never moves around when you're serging--has a wonderful knife set-up that cuts through anything smoothly, and has a beautiful rolled hem, either two or three thread. It doesn't have the jet air threading of the Baby Locks, but threads easily. Everything is color-coded. The tensions are also very easy to set. I haven't had any problem with them at all.
I would advise you also to order a good, basic serger book because the instruction book with this Juki doesn't explain how to make the variety of stitches that are possible with it. With most of them you just have to tweak the tensions or stitch length or width, all easy to do on this machine. The electronic, high end machines (that go for a thousand dollars or more) will either make these adjustments automatically, or tell you how to do them on the screen, but I find a good serger book works just as well, and is much, much cheaper.
Do be aware that this machine does not have a coverstitch, or coverhem, as it is sometimes called. It's the two or three thread stitch used to hem knits. To get this stitch you need to buy an expensive, high-end combo serger, or a separate coverstitch machine. I like having a regular serger, this one in particular, and a separate coverstitch machine, like the Janome CP 1000.
This is shipped from Ken's Sewing Center, a store with an excellent reputation in the sewing community. Mine arrived quickly in perfect shape, but had there been a problem I know Ken's would have taken care of it.
Really, this serger is an amazing deal. Juki is an excellent brand; I understand they make the Bernina sergers as well.
Update: When I reviewed this serger it was $399.00 and was shipped by Ken's Sewing Center. I see now that the price and vendor have been changed. It is still an excellent serger but not quite as good a deal now.
JUKI HZL-27Z Sewing Machine
List Price: $349.00
Sale Price: $111.61
Today's Bonus: 68% Off
I purchased the Juki HZL-27Z as a gold box deal for $159.99 and am totally pleased with my purchase. I had been thinking about getting a compact machine that would be a nice backup machine as well as function as a portable while RVing. I currently use a Brother Quattro and Brother SE270D and primarily do crafts, machine embroidery, and quilting with them. When this deal came up, I couldn't pass it up!
Although I have never tried using other portable machines like a Singer featherweight or a Janome Jem, I thought I would give the Juki a try. Juki has a good reputation for its commercial and higher end machines. I also wanted something that was not computerized as my backup since I would be moving it quite a bit.
Pros:
Lightweight weighs 12 pounds reportedly; I weighed it at 12.8
Easy to use out of the box it has similar bobbin winding, top loading bobbin, and threading as my other Brother machines; you do have to thread through the top hole of the bobbin prior to winding, however. I think that anyone who has any sewing experience would find it very easy to use. For beginners, it would also be easy to understand with its manual or perhaps even without, since it has nice diagrams right on the machine. The manual is easy to understand.
Manual automatic needle threader is easy to use
Adjustable length and width of stitches
Nice even straight stitching with ability to adjust tension
I think the thing that I am most impressed with is the feed dogs. It sewed through 3 layers of denim, no problem. With 5 layers, it needed help feeding it through. It also has a jig-type button on the presser foot for thicker fabrics. It seemed to work well.
Cons:
The vertical spool pin is short. You cannot put a spool cap on it unless the spool is really short or you could just use the provided felt. You would have to use a thread stand if you want to use the vertical spool pin with larger spools.
The horizontal spool pin is angled toward the machine so if you are used to using larger spools it might be difficult. Standard size ones work fine.
The handle is located at the back of the machine. When you carry it, the front of the machine angles forward.
The flatbed has no handle at the bottom to remove it when you switch to free arm. I found that I would have to open the compartment door to get a grip to get it off the machine.
It has a 4 step buttonhole instead of 1 step. Since I rarely make buttonholes, this wasn't an issue for me. If you are in to garment sewing, it might.
It is noiser than I'm used to but I think it is similar to other Singers that I have used at a similar price point. It is by no means super noisy. You need a sturdy table too. I had it on my dining room table and it shook a bit but on a very sturdy surface, it was rock solid. You would also probably benefit from additional lighting. The LED light was a bit dim for me.
I think that for this price, as well as the typical list price of $250, it is a very worthwhile portable machine. I am very happy!
Edit 11/26/11: I am still really enjoying this machine but had another thought as I have been teaching my 6 year-old to sew on it. I love the fact that this machine is not computerized as a backup, but it lacks a speed control that you can find on computerized machines. If I were teaching a child to sew, I would consider this feature since it is really handy. This machine does not have the super slow speeds that can be achieved with a computerized one. My daughter is still able to use this machine with ease but I find it much easier to have her use my computerized one on the lowest speed and the start/stop button instead of the foot pedal. She finds it more fun to use the pedal though, so she loves using this machine!
Schmetz Extra Wide Twin Needle 8,0/100
The product itself it super but beware that it may not be able to be used in every machine. I do not have the proper foot for this extra wide needle to fit through. It should be noted in that this takes a specific foot in order to be used.
Sterling Silver Fancy Tiered Chandelier Earring Parts 42mm (1
List Price: $36.49
Sale Price: $22.99
Today's Bonus: 37% Off
The description on these unfortunately cut off before it listed the "PARTS" part of the description when ordering. So needless to say I was a bit surprised when they arrived with NO POSTS. They also were not even attached tiers. I had to literally attach each level/tietier of both earings, as they were just hanging by a open loop, barely. And there's actually NO beads on them either :(
Darice 8-1/2-Inch by 5-1/2-Inch by 6.1-Inch Snap and Stack
i have half a dozen of these used to store and access glass, pearl and crystal beads for jewelry making. i love the size and shape though i wish they offered a version with three deep compartments instead of one deep and two shallow. however, once full, they have to be lifted off the shelf carefully from the bottom because the snaps on the sides aren't adequate to remain closed once the compartments are full. if you lift from the top using the handle, the snaps give way and the contents fly all
over the place. the flap that locks over the protrusion above is very flimsy and has broken off with very little use.
over the place. the flap that locks over the protrusion above is very flimsy and has broken off with very little use.