MaxiMe to the rescue!

((.... Insert Hip/Funky yet Heroic theme music here... Think Gnarls Barkley!))
(((insert my consternation with Picasa's tiny collage pics HERE!)))

I got up early this morning and went to work on MaxiMe... I ended up using every pad (althougth maybe not with their intended design) and before long I had a reasonable facsimile of me... And not one stitch of Duct Tape!

She still has a few odd lumps and bumps here and there, but that was because I had to improvise with some of my padding materials. But as soon as the holiday is over, I will rectify those few issues too.

Overall, I am quite happy and feeling quite accomplished!

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And adding to that feeling of accomplishment, I also finished piecing the binding for my quilt! I used all the scrapes of silk I had left over after I finished all my block borders....

I love it when a plan comes together!

Holla!

.... Crisis... potentially... averted

Sooo, being the self-sufficient tinkerer that I am, I decided to do some hands on investigation with The Machine after I had sent out my 'The sky is falling" emails on Thursday night (one to Viking and one to Sew Right (... the latter, by the by, sent me a very detailed and helpful email this Friday, morning.... even though my warranty was up two weeks ago.... handily letting me know that I was already on the right track with my tinkering... thank you very much!])

I started by taking up the face plate on The Machine and pulling out the entire bobbin casing. I saw a little screw that was attached to a thin metal sheet. I took my handy-dandy mini-screwdriver and torqued (righty tighty / lefty loosey) the screw all the way until the metal piece was flush with the screw.

I put it all back together and it was instantly better! But, I actually had to set the tension setting to 0 or else the top thread was being pulled to the bottom of the fabric (the opposite of my original problem.)

Then, it was just a matter of tweaking the screw (.... that would make a great book title, right?) and the tension dial until both were set at a medium setting and I was not getting too much bobbin thread showing on top or too much top thread being pulled to the bottom of the fabric.

I finally got it to a point that I think is the best possible medium.

The settings aren't the same as they were, but I think its a very good compromise, it still gives me a little wiggle room and it's not too far to the highest or lowest settings.

.... ((wwhheewww!!)

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I also started on the first part of MaxyMe's transformation. I took some gel glue and laid down a lot of the more flyway bits of her original outer covering.

Once the glue dries, I will commence with the padding and the covering and the body suiting... more pics to come!

Holla!

FabulousFit.com FItting System...WOOT!

... I placed my order today!!
I sent them an email last week asking for help and they set me right up!
I called today to place the order and, low and behold, their factory is located in BROOKLYN! Just a quick bus ride from mine own homestead!

They are processing and shipping my package out TODAY! (It bares repeating...) WWOOTT!!

I hope to have my new (to me) full body dressform changed from a TatteredTina to a MiniMica by next weekend!

HOLLA!

Show me whatcha working wit'!!

We're doing a spring cleaning at work and they literally tore upon the doors on our fabric and equipment stock. And let me tell you, it was a free for all!!

I came away with some floral printed stretch lace and printed charmeuse. A bucket-load, literally, of several quality jersey and ribbed knits in a few great staple and fashion colors. Some really hefty brushed satin. And, a handy bundle of printed jerseys that are screaming QUILT ME!!

AND! AND! AND! A full body dress form!! With a rolling stand!! I decided to spare her the indignity of exposing her (rather tattered) girly-bits all over the interweb. Besides, she isn't exactly my size, so some major rework is going to have to take place before she's up to snuff.

I did do a little recon and I found two Fitting Systems, made especially for dress-forms, at FabulousFit.com. I sent them a message asking for a little clarification on a few points. But, I think their systems will work quite nicely!

Holla!