Sunday, February 1, 2009

Survey Results

Well, the results are in for P&P’s first customer base survey. It was a very interesting experience for us. So many of you answered and we’ve compiled the results for you below. Many of you added comments, personal messages and suggestions. Thank you so much!

We’ll aim for frequent surveys to reflect your interests so keep your ideas coming. Our next survey will also expand on these results to clarify and add to the results.

We received comments about why and how we have our machines serviced. Things we love and hate about our machines. So many thoughts and ideas - I will be expanding on them in upcoming blog updates, so be sure to check back soon and often.

How many Sewing Machines do you own?
38% of us own 4 or more sewing machines
24% of us own 3 machines
22% of us own 2 machines
16% of us own 1 machine

What Brand of sewing machine do you primarily use to piece your quilt tops?
Baby Lock 3%
Bernina 30%
Elna 3%
Husqvarna 4%
Janome 10%
Kenmore 2%
New Home 2%
Pfaff 24%
Singer 2%
- Featherweight 5%
Viking 11%

How old is your Sewing Machine?

4% of our machines are “New”
(less than one year old)
17% are 1-2 years old
28% are 3-4 years old
33% are 5-10 years old
35% are 10+ years old

How often do you clean and oil?
12% weekly
30% monthly
14% every three months
14% twice per year
22% once per year
8% answered “Am I supposed to?”

Do you service your machine regularly?
11% answered “No”
17% answered “Yes, I do it myself”
48% answered “I take it to the repair (wo)man annually”
24% answered “I take it to a repair (wo)man only if I have a problem”

Those surveyed were asked to choose 3 criteria which they deemed 'most important' when deciding where to take their machine for repair or service?
66% answered “Location / Convenience”
54% answered “Brand Affiliation”
53% answered “Turn-around Time”
47% answered “Accessibility” - ie, the ability to speak to your repair (wo)man directly
32% answered “Cost”

Are you happy with your current machine or would you like to buy a new one?
72% answered “I love my machine and don't want to change”
26% answered “I'd like to buy a new one but the current economy has me thinking twice.”
2% answered “I'd like to buy a new one and am on the lookout!”

In addition to piecing, what else do you use this machine for?
79% of us use the same machine for various Craft and Sewing Projects
77% of us also use the same sewing machine for Straight Line Quilting
57% of us use the same machine for Free Motion Machine Quilting
66% of us use the same machine for Garment Sewing
63% of us use the same machine for Machine Applique

Do you use a different machine for quilting?
64% answered “No, I primarily hand quilt or send my quilt tops to a Long Arm Quilter.”
36% answered “Yes”
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Friday, December 19, 2008

Christmas Cheer & Challenge Revealed


This last Tuesday was our annual challenge reveal in Mülheim . . .  what a wonderful day.  The picture above was a peak through Gila’s studio window as we gathered around a merry table to chat, stitch and share.

We all took home a little pile of fun and festive things.  Here’s a peak at what stood
before me on the table.  Everyone brings little “goodies” - a few of “us” hadn’t but will make up for it in a new year.

This year many of us did bring yummies to share and we feasted on a gorgeous and very festive beet salad with apples and walnuts, smoked trout, a cheese board and variety of bread plus broccolli salad and pumpkin pie from the Goldschmidt kitchen and of course cake - to celebrate Gila’s December birthday.
Gila also unwrapped her birthday blocks - this year we each gave each other one block following a set of guidelines, I’ll tell you more about those later in January.  Our challenge next year is to do actually do something with the blocks . . .


The culmination of the day was to “reveal” our challenges for this year - our theme was “CRAZY.”

Unfortunately, I had a bit of a “where is it” problem.  With all my to’ing and fro’ing, I couldn’t the piece I wanted to use.  It was a Christmas-themed crazy in Reds, Greens and Golds.  I had made tons of progress and wanted to finish it off in an unusual way . . . but lo and behold - I could not find it anywhere.
Searching through my studio I was berating myself out loud and at one point mumbled “this is just plain crazy, there’s no way I have time for *another* project.”  Well, that thought led to another and the phrase “Just Plain Crazy” stuck in my head big time.  So . . . yes, I started another project.  Of course this is as far as I got.  Of course, there was quite a chuckle as I pulled piece by piece out of my basket.



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Friday, December 12, 2008

Christmas is Coming


. . . and the goose is getting fat!

It would help if the silly goose didn’t keep tasting all the yummies she’s busy baking. But, it’s so hard. It’s at this time of year that I get all those yummy flavors that I miss from home . . .
  • Molasses & Gingerbread
  • Anise - I put extra into my Pfefferneuse
  • Cornbread - for my stuffing of course
  • Pumpkin Pie and all kinds of spices
and mmmmm, yummy moist Fruit Cake that I can hardly waiting to slice into. Color me weird if you want to but I LOVE FRUIT CAKE.


However, I am picky, it can’t be too sweet and absolutely must be very moist.  What can I say - my mom made the best!  Actually she made two recipes - a “Light one” and an “Inexpensive One.”  The latter being darker and moister, gooier and full of raisins and candied fruit.


The recipe is below - give it a try, you never know. You might like it - or love it like I do.

I also thought I’d update you on my Festival of Trees that we’ve been doing as a block of the month. It’s been fun, very and so popular that it will be back next year!
Reserve your space now – then choose to pick up your fabric kit or have it shipped to you in January. Just $60 for all twelve months, including the fabric for the top, binding and the pattern.  Quilt finishes approximately 40” x 48”. Designed by Barbara Brackman & Karla Menaugh,

And here’s a sneak peak at my challenge entry for the group of friends in Mülheim (Germany). The theme these year is “Crazy.” We’ll see how far I get on this. “Sew little time” right now with Christmas preparation and patterns-writing for the shop. Our group reveal is this coming Tuesday . . . wish me luck!


Mom’s inexpensive Fruitcake

2 Cups raisins or mix of raisins and dates
2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Water
5 Tablespoons Butter or Margarine
2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
1 Teaspoon Cloves

Mix above ingredients together in a medium saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes.

Allow to cool, then add:
3 Cups Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Walnut Pieces (optional)
and Candied Fruit to taste - if you don't like candied fruit, increase amount of raisins, dates or consider chopped dried apricots.

Mix thoroughly and pour into paper lined bread pans. Bake at 325 F for 1 hour.
For maximum “moist-ness” pour one tablespoon of rum, cream cherry or other sweet liquor over baked cakes. Repeated weekly until Christmas your cakes will stay fresh throughout the New Year season too.

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