Looky what I got!

I got a serger!!! This is a big deal; VickiW and Chris B (of my sewing guild) have been after me for a couple of years to get one. I've resisted, mostly because of the cost inasmuch as most of my sewing doesn't require a serger. Of course, I realize if I had one, I'd choose projects that do require a serger. And if I can't think of any, I'm sure Vicki will think some up.
I got this serger, used, from Paula in our sewing guild, the Fashion Focus Group. Paula had already upgraded years ago, but had not yet gotten around to selling this one. It is a Baby Lock, Eclipse, Model BLE1, and it has the all important jet-air threading which makes threading this sucker a whole lot easier. She showed me the basic mechanics and then I came home to play with it. I decided to start with an easy project to become one with my machine, so I made the same thing I start with my sewing students: a pillow case.

I realize this is a Christmas fabric and it is Easter, but it is just so cute I couldn't resist:

It was fun! Here is a shot of one of my first seams on it:

This isn't the first time I have used a serger; I made a knit skirt on Vicki's serger which is pictured here, and I made a bathrobe on Anne's serger a couple of years ago at Craft Week. So I know the basic mechanics. But I don't know yet what it can all do, especially how to sew a 5/8 seam so I can use this for garment sewing. I'll have to spend some quality time with the manual, and maybe an afternoon in Vicki's sewing studio for a lesson in sergering basics.

I don't really have anywhere to put it. My sewing studio is the entire downstairs of my townhouse. The sewing machine is in the living room, the dining room table is used for cutting out, and the ironing board is next to the kitchen counter island. For right now, I've put the serger on the kitchen counter island, and I am using it standing up, which seems to work fine, but I'll figure it out as I go along.

No progress on my bed quilt; the weather continues to be rainy AND windy, so I still haven't been able to lay out the whole thing outside to see how I want the blocks arranged. But until then I have the serger to fascinate me!

I wish everyone a very blessed Easter. May you and your family experience the peace and joy of this holiest of days.