I'm getting a new goodie!

I'm getting a new sewing machine! My husband decided that the Brother general sewing machine he bought for me several years ago wasn't good enough, and since we'd had such good luck with my Juki quilter's machine, he would investigate the regular multi-stitch machines they made. Here it is!

We ordered it yesterday and I will probably have it by the end of next week. It's a Juki HZL-E70 with 50 stitches, automatic buttonholes and all kinds of things, like automatic stitch locking at the beginning and end of a seam. I'm calling it an early birthday present, because it seems extravagant to up and buy something like this without an occasion.

It's a little intimidating to learn how to use a new sewing machine. Before that Brother model, the most complicated machine I owned had four stitches! That was my beloved White machine that I simply wore out with all the quilts and clothes I made. It's still in the closet because I can't bear to part with it, but haven't used it for years. Before that -- a 1950 Free Westinghouse with straight stitch only. When I bought the White and it had a zigzag stitch, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven!

The Brother machine is fine, but never seemed as robust as the Juki. I also got spoiled with the 1500 stitches per minute on the Juki. I am pleased to note that the new machine will sew 900 stitches per minute, so it won't feel like I'm poking along. I also hope that machine applique will be easier with this new sewing machine.

Here's the funny part: Allbrands.com includes a free Barbie II sewing machine with the order! It's somewhere between a toy sewing machine (it does have a bobbin) and a real one. I have no idea what I will do with it. Maybe my great-nieces would like it. The only problem is, it's only worth $40 and it would cost more than that to mail it to Germany where they live.