Who knew shopping for industrial sewing supplies could be so much fun? I've been getting little accessories to go with my new/old Juki and it's really been nice. The one thing I really needed (that isn't part of this particular machine) is a built in thread cutter. When I've got my little assembly line going it's kind of pesky to have to stop and pick up my scissors and cut the thread by hand (sounds like a small thing but I'm all about efficiency here baby).
I found this nifty little item on eBay and it really does the trick. It attaches to the side of the foot (using the same screw you use to secure the foot) and has coils to hold the thread while the razor cuts them. The razor lays flat on the coils so it's not a slicing danger for my fingers. The coils also keep the thread secure while you start on your next stitch (so no more pulling out a length of thread to avoid having it pulled back through the needle). Fun!
And then I found this little goody. A magnetic seam guide. You just move it to wherever you need your seam and it holds tight. Nifty! You can get them from any place that carries Dritz notions and they run around 5.00. Well worth it.
Here's an idea of what it looks like in action. If you're not ready to invest in a 1/4" foot then this is the way to go.
And here's some eye candy. Daffodils in bloom! Joey bought that cute little milk jug for me from a local crafter (he saw me swooning over it at the local Art Walk and snapped it up for me, nice man) and it's the perfect place for my flowers.
And I got a chicken (it's ceramic but whatever)! We're not allowed to have chickens in our housing development (it grates on my nerves that we pay the mortgage and they can tell us what we can't do with our backyard but that's a whole 'nother episode....) so this little cutie will have to suffice.
Anyway, we're just enjoying the Spring and taking a break from school this week. The Arizona weather is lovely so I may just go outside and see what's going on.
