Still trying with the pictures 05-29-19

This is specifically for Elizabeth who asked how I set my Pfaff to sew a 1/4" seam. 

With a clear ruler under the presser foot  I measure 1/4"  from the edge of whatever presser foot I am using to where I want the needle to be. 

Then I move the needle position with the dial on the right to line the needle up with the 1/4" line on the ruler.  I usually make a mark on the dial to indicate that position in case I knock the dial off kilter.  I need a good light to the right of the needle to keep on the edge.  I have also used a piece of masking tape from the edge of the presser foot to keep the fabric in line before it reaches the needle.  Since I haven't been piecing for several years it will take some practice to keep things in alignment.  Practice makes things work better and maybe, eventually, perfect!. 

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Trip to Paradise Sewing - Poway, CA 03-30-13

Last week I drove my ailing sewing machines to Paradise Sewing in Poway and posted about it here:  http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3236658054810119404#editor/target=post;postID=4332629632242670996

Corky is at Camp Del for the weekend, so he went with me yesterday to pick up the machines.  I had intended to take a picture of the outside sign at the store and forgot.  And I forgot again yesterday!  It is in a small strip mall with a Western Dental office on the street end.  www.paradisesewing.com/   They specialize in Pfaff machines, but work on all makes.  
They serviced and cleaned my two Pfaff 1222e machines and my friend Liz' Feather Weight. And the amazing Jinny worked and worked to see if the spare parts machine would run.  She did it and gave me instructions to run in every couple months, at least, in order to keep it as a viable spare parts source.


This is the eye catching display right in front of the door in the shop.  The orange bolt was on the cutting table, so it is missing here.
 

There isn't a huge selection of fabrics, but some nice choices, and a nice display of patterns with sewn samples to catch my eye.  The large, well-lit classroom was in use while I was there.

 It is about a two hour drive to Poway and this time I went inland from Placentia and picked up I-15 south.  I knew I would have traffic, it being Good Friday and takeoff day for Easter weekend trips, but it wasn't bad going down.  On the way home we were late enough for the northbound traffic to be building, so we drove at 25 mph or less (mostly) for many miles.  I had to pull off on a lonely road just south of Temecula because Corky was screaming that he had to go.  We walked up and down along the roadside, to no avail - he didn't REALLY have to go.  When we were on the road again he curled up in his bed and went so soundly to sleep that he didn't wake until we pulled in the garage. The traffic did lighten up after we passed the 215 cutoff and then it was good sailing to home. 
 

It is very different terrain from driving on I-5 which is on the west side of these coastal mountains.  Here everything is huge boulders and rocky soil.  Lots of avocado and citrus groves and an amazing number of nursery growing fields toward the south. 
 

You can see the light traffic on the southbound lanes, while I was crawling along at 20mph or so.
 

To the east the valley drops down to tracts of homes and wide swaths of vineyards.  Temecula has many wineries - some with fabulous restaurants attached.  Fifty years ago it was a "wide spot" on a two lane road - we used to drive this way to go fishing in at Lake Skinner.  Now Temecula is a growing, growing, growing city with a major highway down the middle.  Ah, California.

I-5 north from Oceanside, CA 03-23-13

I drove to Poway on Wednesday to deliver my two sick Pfaff's to Paradise Sewing, an authorized Pfaff dealer and sewing machine "hospital".  I was surprised that the owner didn't try to sell me a machine and mentioned it to her. She said that someone who brings in two 39 year old machines, plus one to use for parts if needed, would not be interested in a new machine. I know where I will go if I decide to buy a new Pfaff!  They also sell fabric, can you imagine? I did buy a few pieces to add to my fabric library. Although it is getting out of hand - buying fabric is an addiction and I have it bad.


Driving home on I-5 north of Oceanside the fog was rolling in, but the traffic here was moving well.   On the slope in about the middle of the image is.....
 

.. another of the practice structures on the grounds of Camp Pendleton.  Military personnel need to learn how to fight in and around buildings that they will find in their deployments. 
 

There aren't many wildflowers around this year due to the lack of rainfall.  Since July 1, 2012, the LA area has only had 5.25" of rain.  But there is an abundance of road construction everywhere I go.
 

These are not "wild" wildflowers, but were seeded, either by CalTrans or individuals who distribute the seeds as they travel.
 

Beyond the fence is about the largest patch of wild mustard I have seen this Spring.  The bare grey stalks are probably the dead stems of telegraph weed. 
 

I cannot tell from the photos what these flowers are and I couldn't see them well enough while I was driving by.   I might have known in past years, but no more. 
 

When I got off the highway at San Juan Capistrano I was shocked at how many trees and shrubs had been torn down in the 24 hours since I had driven that way.  You can see the butchered trees spread on the ground around the lone surviving eucalyptus.  This exit to the Ortega Highway is receiving a major reworking, which it has needed for many years.