Needing more space

With the arrival of Lady Reh (the Brother Luminaire) I had outgrown my current crafting space.  As my husband doesn't want me to sell Boetie yet (the Brother Innovis 4000) we had to make some serious decisions as how to incorporate everything.  

With me not working from home anymore, we could use the office space and moved the two Brothers to that space with all the paraphernalia needed for more specifically machine embroidery.

My laptop is situated between the two machines with a cutting station at the back wall.  The cupboard underneath contains all the accessories of Lady Reh.  There is a also small flatscreen TV to keep me company.  As this is a rather small space, I have to keep it super neat and organized otherwise I get totally frustrated.

The desk with computers were moved into the current needlework room where all the fabrics and cupboards stayed behind.  The cupboard with my 1981 Bernina as well as the overlocker also stayed put, so I am now operating between the two rooms which is somewhat strange with me still figuring out at times what is where.

The router and cameras are also based in this space.

As you can see, even with more floor space in this, the original sewing room, every nook and cranny are packed to the brim.  But, as I became more accustomed to this setup, I am sure I will enjoy it immensely.

It was a rather busy week with me having to seriously look at my wardrobe as I was working from home the last 5 years and suddenly realize that I was in dire need of office clothes.  All my clothes were worn and I even discovered shoes and sandals I had completely forgotten about as I operated barefoot at home.  With the help of friend Magda I was able to get that done as well before eloping to the seaside for a week before I had to start work today.  So yeah, a whole new chapter starting just when I had begun to grow accustom to the idea of being unemployed. 😃

Unboxing brand new Brother Luminaire XP1

After 3 months of waiting, my new Luminaire was finally delivered on Friday.  After paying a deposit in November, the machine was kept for me at Black Friday's discounted price including the upgrades for XP 2 and XP3.

Here she is, all 47kg of her.

The upgrades were sent in a separate parcel and included this package

with a small and large foot pedal as well as other accessories.  The machine did arrive with a medium size pedal as well, so I guess I will find out the different uses for all during my 3 days of training later in the week.

This box was also included which again I don't know what it is for.

The third box contains a frame of 272 x 272mm.

Included are also the following 4 frames:

100 x 100mm;  130 x 180mm;  240 x 240mm

 and the gigantic 272 x 408mm which is almost as big as all three above.

When I started embroidering in 2000, the biggest size the Bernina Deco 600 and 650 could handle, was 100 x100mm (the smallest frame in the top photo).  The first Brother I bought in 2005, the Innovis PE700 could embroider 130 x 180mm (the second frame in the top photo).  These machines were embroidery only machines.  Then I progressed to the Innovis 4000 combination in 2011 which can embroider 180 x 300mm which I am still using now after finally being repaired.

The embroidery unit sadly doesn't come in a carry case anymore as did the Innovis 4000, but with the arm moved out of the way, there is ample space for quilting and stitching without having to remove the embroidery unit.

The sewing unit with the medium size foot pedal.

All the other accessories included.

And there she is, the piece de resistance.

I took some photo's comparing the Innovis 4000 with the Luminaire showing the difference in size but seeing is believing.

On this photo the Luminaire's size in comparison with the Innovis 4000 is quite apparent.

 

 So, yeah, I am truly blessed.

Below are some features as advertised in the brochure.

The projector function

The camera function

Scan, convert and embroider

Members only design uploaded to my store

With my Brother Innovis 4000 machine out of order since September 2024, I was just able to complete the Members only design I needed to upload by 20 February to avoid paying a penalty.  I am completely in love with this design.  I am however not allowed to sell it or even give it away for free.  If you want it, just sign up as a member of Oregon Patchworks and download it for free.

I am still deciding what I am going to do with this one, maybe embroider a few more and stitch into a runner.  Now that my machine is working again, it is pure bliss.  

As the parts wasn't available locally, I had to get them from the USA and England.  The machine spend hours in the repair shop but under Paul van Niekerk's very capable hands he was able to fix everything                                                                            turning this

back into this. 

                                               An amazing piece of work by a master.

 

Thread Stand

With so little working space whilst embroidering, I decided to treat myself with a thread stand.  Now at least the thread won't take up any valuable space or be lying around cluttering up the table.  Truly impressed with this item.

Neatly tucked away behind the machine.

Items for sale

I decided to sell some of my stuff which I'm not using anymore.

First up is this Bond Elite knitting machine for chunky wool.  It works like a dream and is quite easy to learn.  I just don't have any time for knitting anymore.  The price is R1 000 ($72).

Then I have this Empisal 4 thread overlocker for R500 ($36)

and finally the Brother Innovis 700E embroidery machine for R10 000 ($720).  Since I bought the Big Brother, I don't use this one anymore.

 

130 x 180mm embroidery area

 

It comes complete with PE Basic and the XL frame which can embroider an area of 130 x 300mm.

Prices exclude postage.

Innovis 10 sewing machines for sale

Brand new Innovis 10 sewing machines are for sale at nearly half price.  They were set up for use during our quilt festival, but none of them was used.  So, you can buy them cheap for only R2 800 just because their boxes was opened.  Normal price is R4 500. 

If you are interested, email me at wgeel@mweb.co.za.  Only until Saturday.