Happy Junker, I have that machine! I love it so much, but I only use it on occasion, it does not work well on heavy layers and I need one that will.

My New Home Memory Craft 6000 does. Her name is Nellie and she is 30 years old. She can sew through anything! at least 6 layers of denim no problem!

My business is sewing with denim, I am a Re-Sewer, or Recycling Seamstress. Most every thing I make to sell at Craft fairs is made out of old pairs of Jeans. So Nellie has to sew some heavy stuff! She is starting to drag, my Machine Doctor says I need to think about allowing Nellie to retire and just work on making quilt tops. Seriously I have not found a machine that even comes close to being able to do what she does.

But my quilting friend says that a Singer 301 long bed will! So I have been looking, and bidding on Ebay and going to yard sales, etc... Still no luck in my price range. I actually had a bid on one and forgot to watch it. I had my top bid at $50. and it sold for $55. I felt terrible! My limit is $150. including shipping. But I know one will be just perfect for me when I need it. The Sewing machine Doctor agrees with my Friend that they are great machines. The 301 Long bed is bigger than a feather weight and was used in most Schools in Home Economics. They are all metal so no plastic parts to break. The speed is almost as fast as a Industrial machine.

oops sorry I got off on a Antique Sewing machine tangent!

ooooh some pretty blocks and hey that pile I need that yellow fabric with the circles on it lol I truly would be in happy land if my blocks all came out those lovely browns with that green and cream fabric to go with it.. I however have a ton of different fabrics that are a bit more mix mix. then there is that last posting and they are a lot more color its funny we all have scraps yet look how different our scraps are? you would think they would look more alike than apart but apparently I would have lost that bet. ready for the coming clue ahead. finishing my dq for January so I have time to decide yes or no to rearranging the blocks tick tock the train will be coming around again better make a decision soon!

(hey diet coke and brownies is that so I can eat more brownies and not feel any guilt? wait tis the quilt train no guilt allowed!)

Wow! Y'all have been busy sewing and I'm still cutting squares. Thought I had lots of scraps, and I really do, but most of them are smaller than 4-1/2" in width. Was considering doing the larger size, but think I will stop when I get enough for the smaller one. Don't want to cut up anything big just for one 4-1/2" square.

I have a question for the rotary cutter users regarding sharpeners, does any one have a sharpener? I am looking to purchasing a stone sharpener, it is the kind you leave the blade in the cutter while you sharpen. The reviews have been mixed, but many more good than bad. I was just wondering if any one has it and if they would recommend it. It is called the True Cut Rotary Blade Sharpener. I can get it on Amazon for $25. and if there is a better place for me to ask this question please point me in the right direction. thanks

Better late than never, I just climbed aboard!

hey Marybeth my 301A says hi and my DD 301 longbed is giggling......they say give us a #16 needle and we can sew thru steel

BTW this train breaks for Brownies

welcome aboard dhanke, this is fun we have a great mystery writer/leader she keeps us guessing !

Love this one
 

I'm more into bright & bold, but this one will be so pretty! TY Judy. You get more chocolate!

Lovely choices, Dotty! Those squares belong on a bed in a nice quiet country cabin, with a warm fire glowing in the fireplace, and snow falling outside. :)

those fabrics are so vintage looking love it!

I just put a new blade in my cutter. OMG why did I wait so long? (cheap). it just zooms right through. last one I put in was right at the begging of the last boom over 50 blocks cut, several wall hangings and tablerunners, and a mystery quilt with one blade. it kept nicking and argh not finishing gave up and changed it yesterday. wish I had done it in say Nov.! Jaba has a blade sharpener. she uses it for her 45mm blades. I use a 60 mm should I get a smaller cutter what say you guys? I mean it works good its the only kind I have ever had. actually its like over 10 yrs old. survey says?

oh old mats should line the dumpster. I had mine til it warped and was so bad I tried fixing it in a bath of hot water and ironing it and all the suggestions you find online. I gave up. it was so bad. lesson: DO NOT KEEP THEM IN THE CLOSET standing up with other things leaning on it in a hot environment. they go bad real quick. flat is always good and out of the sun. always.

Well I'm going to wait and see where this train is going, I know that I really do have alot of 4.5" squares...