OT Oh, you dear sweet quilters!

I've seen the Janome Jem at Hancock's Fabrics and also the one that is 1 model about it that is almost the same size, for not much more $$$$ and has a lot more features. You might want to consider it also, before you buy. HTH Glad you are feeling better! Barbara in SC with all the pollen, and allergy problems

"Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I have the Janome Gold, and the Janome Platinum 60. They are both small enough to take to class, or in your case stretched out in bed. I'm not sure how stable that would be. Can you sit at a small table, and have the sewing machine on that? The Janome that my local Hancock's sells is my IMHO. Several of the guild members bought it because it was cheap, and they have all either thrown them away or given them to charity. The guild has even tried to give one away for the last 2 years. Every time you do a community service project, your name is entered for a drawing we have once a year. The last 2 years the winner has chosen to give it back to the guild because they don't want it. We voted last month to give it to a charity we support. This year we will have another prize. DH had his hip replaced almost 10 years ago, and that was before we had a computer. He (and I) almost went crazy because after about 3 weeks at home, he was bored out of his mind. He was tired of having to sit in a certain chair to keep his legs at the correct angle. He wanted his recliner! It would not be nearly as bad now since he has a laptop, and he can take it anywhere in the house.

Sherry Starr

So glad you are acquiring the fortitude you need in this very 'demanding' situation. Fortitude I can do - patience takes a little longer!

Instead of getting a Jem, how about learning to love hand-sewing!! How about some exquisite miniature appliqués? Just the job >gg<

But, if you do get a Jem, try it on one of those trays that have the soft underneath part that would shape to your legs and keep it steadier. . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

Leslie's not kidding. I've seen a few of the QI well-wishing photos and they are just wonderful. Not sure how Patti S managed to get her pups washed and waxed so gloriously and she's not telling. Polly

My QI's are "at the ready" to go forth and growl when you say the word!!

Glad you're on the road to recovery - and at least *thinking* about quilting!

Hugz Patti (and Kaz & Murphy) in Seattle

Leslie, I'm so glad your spirits are up and that you're thinking of what you can do. One thing I'd worry about is being able to sew straight with only one hand while the other is holding down the foot pedal. Today's machines go so much faster than the old handcranks! The old handcranks are probably too heavy to use in bed, anyway. I have two suggestions (and you know what free advice is worth ):

1. get one of those hospital tables that goes across the bed and is stable.
2. get a sewing machine that has a button to turn it on and off so you don't have to use one hand for the foot control. ;)

I hope you're being a good patient and taking it as slowly as you're supposed to. I'm wishing you a speedy and complete recovery!

I have a Jem along with a 6600 and I enjoy the Jem because it is light weight and easy to take to classes, etc. However, I love the 6600 because of the button that stops and starts the sewing, and even cut your thread! When you start stitching again you don't have to worry about pulling out the thread so it won't unthread itself, it is always ready to go! If you can get one with these features, you can sit in a bed if you have to and can sew without worrying about your foot having to work a pedal.

We are all giving you cyber hugs to hurry you with your recover to be the best you can be!

Leslie, lots of cyber hugs and good wishes for you. I saw the suggestion to learn to handsew. I tried that once when I was feeling too ill and fuzzy headed to be upright. Just let me say that almost anything would be better. Maybe take up crochet. Or scrapbooking. Or my alltime favorite confined-to-bed activity -- paper dolls.

Anyhow, I have played with a friend's Janome Gold and it's a fun little machine. I love my 5700 and am drooling for the 6600. I really thing Janome makes a good product.

As for QI pics, we had a septic tank boo-boo night before last and just today they finally got it pumped and snaked and ..... you don't want to know. I thought we were well on the way to cleaning up the horrid mess when I took a good look at Jojo and realized his face was crusted with something too horrible to describe. He now has joined Patti's pups, all spiffed and clean. But oh what a mess it was. And he hates water. I suspect if anybody had video of me trying to keep 60 pounds of half-chow, poop-smeared pup in the tub while I scrub the offending substance off his face and out of his ears, it would be quite amusing. Howver, I locked the bathroom door so the boys couldn't sneak behind me with their phone cameras. No pics. Sorry about that, but I think you might recover faster without that particular scene.

Hugs and hopes for good healing, Sunny

The Janome Platinum 60 has a button you push, and you don't need the foot pedal. I never use the foot pedal, because all that pressing on the foot pedal makes my knee hurt.

Sherry Starr

LOL - I just love being sneaky.....in a good way!