sewing machine needle(s) cushion

One of my many sewing books I'm reading is "200 Sewing Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets" by Lorna Knight.  I am enjoying this book, the way it flows and most importantly the information I'm getting out of it.  Even the most basic information is presented clearly with plenty of photos.  This sewing needle cushion is on page 12 and I wanted to make one as soon as I saw it.  

This is what I had been using that was not really working.  It was a good idea when I started it but then I had too many needles that were jersey or 'stretch' as the pillow from the book uses and not enough spaces.

When I made my cushion I decided to use both needle sizes b/c some times I go back and forth between the big #'s and the smaller #'s.  I used, for the first time, my Craigslist golden find of the Pfaff 1475cd (for $150!)  I finally had it serviced so I gave it a go. This is what I created...

The way to go about using the alphabet was much different from my Bernina, however the 1475 blows away the basic Bernina in the number of embroidered stitch designs!  

After putting all the slightly used needles in the correct spot, it dawned on me that this would also be a good way to mark what needles are currently IN the machine.  (Not remembering which needle was in the machine the last time I was on it has always annoyed me.)  I took those big quilt pins and put an initial for each machine on top and stuck them in.  Ha! Problem solved.

Making a zipper bag with 1034D serger

I recently went to a serger class with my local ASG group.  It was a great class!  One thing that I wished I had more instruction on was working with, as I call it, a Ford = Brother 1034D serger.  Most of my class have the Porsche's = Babylock Evolution serger which has all the settings magically done b/c it's that good.  When I got home, I searched around the web for more info on the settings for my 1034D.  Unfortunately there's not much out there.  So here is info for those searching.  

Above shows a cotton fabric for the outside, batting and a poly-mix for the interior.  The zipper should be 2 inches longer on either side.  

Put zipper and outside layer right sides together.  Remember to make sure to have 2 inches of the zipper on either side.  (I did not and had to rip the zipper off, with my ever handy seam ripper 😝, to align it correctly)

Here are the settings I used after a couple tries with the cut off extra pieces...

Here's a pic of my first attempt and you can see that I had more than the 2 inches on the far side...  (btw, my needles are most likely backwards from how most sewers do them I thinks it's b/c I'm a lefty)  Also make sure you have a Serger Piping Foot on your machine.

After properly attaching the first side, fold the bottom piece up so that the exterior is on the inside, have the zipper zipped and MAKE SURE the fabric is lined to match the other side.

Serge.

 

Press the seams and top stitch along the edge of the fabric.  Turn it back inside out, zip it so the that zipper is 1/2 way open and serge up on the open ends.  Turn it right side out and push out the corners.  Done!