new toy!

Janome FM725, what is it you may ask?

while teaching in canada i met 3 amazing ladies, all with these really cool handmade fabric journals. i had to know more and as i began asking questions, they told me about this "felting machine".

naturally thinking you used a felting machine with felt, i was immediately intrigued because clearly these journals were not made of felt.

they quickly told me you can run almost anything through it, felt, cotton fabrics, ribbons, lace, satin, yarn...my head i think exploded. oh the possibilities

after chatting for about 20 minutes i immediately knew i needed this machine. i ordered it online right then and there and it was delivered while i was in europe.

basically a sewing machine with no threading, just 5 barbed needles that magically punch holes through layers of fabrics onto a felt bottom layer (at least that  is all i have tried thus far) forcing them to blend together to become one new texturally fantastic fabric.

can you feel the happiness exuding through my text????

muslin on felt is AWESOME!!!

look up close...

textured happy place!

OMG, look at the ribbon!

my head is swelling with ideas. holy fricken hell!

freaking out, not to mention it totally matches my studio!

Comments

[Tammy]

whoa my gosh! i need that ma-cheen! which model did you buy? the 200.00 one or the 250.00 one ?

[JJ]

no no no - I will not look, I will not look, I will not look... I don't have room for a 4th machine in my sewing space... I will not look

DANG! Would you stop enabling? LOL!

[Kirsten]

I think Michelle Oatman at http://donkeysmiles.blogspot.com was also raving about this machine recently. It definitey seems to the THE one for thicker fabrics, papers etc. Have fun!!

[Angela Edge]

I WANT ONE!!!!

[Patricia]

Oh my I got to check out this sewing machine.

[Jane Bradley]

Wow! I own this little machine and it is awesome! I can't wait to see the creative ideas you share on how to better use it... Thanks...

[Ingvild bolme]

Congrats Donna! Does this one work better on paper too maybe?

[Syndi Castelluccio]

Just reading your enthusiasm inspires me! AWESOME...cant wait to see what you create!

[Sue]

oh my gosh...my world just opened a little bit more...can't wait to see what you do!

[Helen Lindfield]

I don't sew - but I love the look of what this baby can do! Looking forward to seeing it put to use in your new journal!!

[Karen Ellis]

OMG..... Now I do need one too!
Glad it came and that it's awesome! I can't wait to see it in action in Carmi's Canadian class next month. I'm sensing another purchase coming on :) Can't wait to see what else you do with it!

[LollyChops]

wow! That is way cool!!!!!

[jennifer brown]

whoa. i had no idea there was even such a thing. i am SO adding this to wishlist. oh my. i am totally in love just with what you threw on there. does it take a really long time?

[Jessica Wilson-Hess]

Oh geeze DONNA!!! Now I want one.

[Leslie]

yes I NEED this machine!!!

[Cim Allen]

I'm not a sewer so I don't totally understand that concept, but it looks freakin cool ! I'm excited just because you are and if you are then it has to be something totally amazing !

[debbie McIntyre]

Holy Fricken Hell...that's a much toned down version of what I said as I read this post. Are you kidding me? This is amazing and I had no idea there was a machine to do the felting, or that it could be done with so many assorted fabrics. How much was it? I can't be trusted to go to the site and check.

[Kim J.]

O boy...I had to go out and buy your serger after reading some of the things you were doing with it (mind you I've had it for over a year and haven't even tried to use it yet, never even plugged the thing in...lol) and now you have to show me another one! My husband is not gonna be happy if I tell him I want another toy :) Can't wait to see what you do with it!!

[Angela C.]

That looks so amazing! You have to do a video and show us how to use it!

[Wendy High]

Omgoodness! My husband is not going to like that I NEED this machine! Fabulous!!!

[Jill Hammond]

OMG! I so need this little electronic gem. My husband is going to kill me.

[Emy]

I know you'll have so much fun playing with this - looking forward to seeing the results :)

[Sheila B]

omg My head is swimming with ideas, too!!!This is so cool,expensive??

[quilter422]

i got one last year and LOVE it. i've also felted a bunch of different fibers directly onto batting and onto hand-dyed scrim. have fun!

[Wendy Gilbertson]

It seems like it should be crazy simple to do........ is it? the Poppy is TOO MUCH FUN on the muslin! OMG!!!! show us more!!!!

[Jessica Hess]

That thing is totally amazing. Wow! Why didn't anyone think of that years ago? Yes, the ideas are swelling in my head too. I can't wait to see what you make with it. ;-)

[Lorraine]

so jealous!! I would love to have one of these! Can't wait to see what all you create with yours : )

[Serendipity]

YIPEEE!!!! No more needle stabs as I try and hand-create with my manual needles! lOvE iT!!! MUST HAVE ONE.......going on my birthday present list NOW!!

[Jodi]

Love the look of what you've created so far! Amazing!! I would love to see a video on what you are making and more about the machine--hint, hint! This looks incredible! Thanks for showing us yet another incredible creative devise! Happy creating!

[Diane]

Oh My Goodness. I shouldn't know about this!!!!
I LOVE those poppies you have made.
:D

[Ana]

Wow, I would love to get one. I am definitely going to look into it. I can't wait to see you next project using this beauty.

[Cheryl Arnold]

I am not a sewer but this machine looks totally amazing and I, like others, cannot wait to see what you create...come on video we are anxiously awaitinh!

[kathleen codyrachel]

thanks again - another item that Donna gets that I feel or at least you will have me spending money again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
though I know I will make it but with out any ext MONEY FOR FUN AGAIN ALL WELL

[Micki]

Been lurking here for quite some time now. I really love all your videos. I have had this awesome machine for several years now. It is so much fun although I must confess to having not touched it for a long time now. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[Lisa]

Quick question, do the two fabrics that have been felted together stay if you try to pull them apart? I guess I'm asking, how sturdy is the bond between the two fabrics? Thanks!!! Looks pretty awesome and I'm already thinking I have to have this. ;)

[psforma]

donna
i can hear the joy in your words....
and you ARE an enabler...
i need a twenty step program!!!!
hugs
peggy

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1513385745]

Do you ever feel like the Pied Piper....My mom warned me about people like you...If Donna jumped off a bridge would you follow her....My answer would have to be" well did she make it look fun?" I have now moved my college daughters' stuff to a hall closet so I can have her room for my "Happy Place" She still loves you though! She will be at Inspired with me again as a spectator...!!

[Molli Frey]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'm dying!!!!!!!!!!!! love it!!!!!!!!!!! and then you go and say Holy Fricking Hell............ now i'm literally laughing out loud!!!!!!!!!!! SEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW HAVING TO USE THAT AGAIN!
Molli
http://ascrapyarddream.blogspot.com

[Molli Frey]

PLEASE POST MORE IDEAS AND PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WANT TO SEE THE CAPABLITIES BEFORE I GET ONE LMBO
HOLY HELL BATMAN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Molli

[Tammy Hall]

My friends all tease me that when they buy something in the scrap stores, that I have to buy it too. Soooooooo.........
I love this, and you have one, it must be good.....Im in trouble again!

[Rachel Carlson]

SWOOOOOON.

[Lugene]

OMG to flippin' cute. I may have to sell something in order to get one. The possibilities are endless with that machine. And you comes up with this stuff anyway??

[Lugene]

Try WHO comes up with this stuff! Can't spell worth a damn

[Brenda V]

Now that looks like a machine made from heaven! Oh why oh why didn't I get a good tax return this year so I could get this machine! (and go to Inspire....)

[Molli]

YES MY BERNINA HAS A FELTING FOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GUESS WHAT MY NEXT PURCHASE WILL BE? KEEP THE SAMPLES AND IDEAS COMING IN THIS VENUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Molli
http://ascrapyarddream.blogspot.com
facebook Sew Little Time

[Philippa]

I don't sew but I'd love to sew fabric etc to felt right now!! I so adore your enthusiasm.. you mind me of me when I'm looking at my treasured plants, or at beautiful paper products.. swoon... can't wait to see what you do with this machine.. hmmm perhaps you'll create something to use in an inspiration wednesday video???? Please..please...

[Andrea Walford]

Oh my goodness! That is awesome! Does anyone know where to buy one?

[Pam]

Seriously!?!? Did you have to tell us about that machine? Oh geez...
Will you show us how it works when we are there in May? (ReCreate) You are going to hang out with us aren't you?

[Linda Peterson]

Donna, you get the coolest toys!

[Mama Pea]

I had a chance to get an embellisher about 7 years ago, before they were "in," for a super good price. I passed it up because (a) I couldn't figure out what all I would use it for and (b) I thought my husband would kill me if I came home with another "sewing machine." When I told him about it, he said, "You should have bought it. That was a great price." Shoot. I have been kicking myself ever since.