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Review – Scottevest jackets – the Swiss Army knife of jackets

November 8, 2012 by Vikram Goyal

Scottevest Review
Happy family snap. Scottevest for Him and Her.

I had no idea of what Scottevest was before a recent trip to Europe. You see, before this trip, I thought that jackets were required only when it was cold. While travelling, I preferred not to have jackets but cargo pants that I could fill the pockets of with the phone, tickets, wallets and what not.

Now, I won’t go on a trip without the Scottevest!

Scottevest has pockets where you don’t think pockets could exist. Want to carry your phone, camera, passports (in my case – 9!), tickets, boarding passes, toys, money, wallet, credit cards, pens and even an ipad on you without feeling liking a porter? Then you need a Scottevest.

Not only does the jacket (pictured above in His and Her styles) carry all these items, it does so without putting the weight on your shoulders (literally). Never once did I feel that I was wearing anything other than a normal jacket. The jackets comes with a very smart weight distribution management system that somehow makes carrying all these things a breeze.

While going through airports (we went through around 20 in this trip) this was the one piece of garment that saved me hassles. Think 5 people and 5 passports, 5 boarding passes. All tucked away neatly in the inside pockets. Out in a jiffy.

And if you think with that many pockets, you are going to forget where you have kept everything? No! All pockets are cleverly marked. Iphone goes into the pocket marked with the iphone. Airline documents go into the pocket marked with the tiny airline symbol. And so on. (Yes, you are still responsible for keeping things in the right place yourself – it doesn’t do that automatically for you – not yet anyway).

And to top it all off, the jackets are super comfy, stylish and washable. If only they could make me look a few years younger, I would give them a two thumbs up. Oh well, that technology is not going to be invented – ever, so let’s just give them a two thumbs up!

If you have kids (and even if you don’t) and looking to travel you would well to buy a Scottevest before your next trip. They will free your hands up to chase after them.

CraftGossip received two complimentary jackets to review on this trip.

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Best Sewing Machine for Quilting Beginners: Your No-Stress Buying Guide

beginner's-quilting-sewing-machine-guide

My first quilting sewing machine was a $50 Black Friday special that literally smoked when I tried to quilt a twin-size top. (RIP, little guy.) After testing 23 machines (and surviving two more meltdowns), I finally cracked the code to finding the perfect beginner quilting machine—without wasting money on features you don’t need yet.

Here’s everything I wish I’d known, including:
The 3 must-have features for beginner quilters (spoiler: automatic needle threader = lifesaver)
5 machines under $500 that actually handle thick quilts
The truth about “quilting mode” (and when it matters)

What Makes a Sewing Machine “Good for Quilting”?

Non-Negotiables for Beginners

  • Throat Space: At least 7 inches (so your quilt doesn’t get stuck)
  • Walking Foot Included: Prevents fabric layers from shifting
  • Drop Feed Dogs: For free-motion quilting later

Nice-to-Have Perks

  • Speed Control: Because quilting a king-size in “rabbit mode” = regrets
  • Needle Up/Down: Crucial for precise pivots at corners
  • LED Lighting: Spotting seams under dim light = no more “mystery stitches”

2. The Best Machines Under $500 (Tested on Real Quilts)

1. Brother PQ1500SL ($479)

  • Why Beginners Love It:
    • 16-inch throat space (fits bulky quilts)
    • Straight stitch only (no confusing dials)
    • Industrial motor handles denim + quilt batting
  • Watch Out: No fancy stitches (but do you really need 200 decorative options?)

2. Janome 3160QDC ($449)

  • Best For: Quilters who want some embroidery flair
    • 60 stitches (great for quilted gifts)
    • One-handed needle threader (no squinting!)
    • Automatic thread cutter = fewer thread nests

3. Juki TL-2010Q ($499)

  • The “Grow With You” Pick
    • Professional-grade straight stitches
    • Knee lifter (hands-free presser foot lifting)
    • Heavy-duty but quiet

Pro Tip: Watch for Joann’s 50% off coupons—they work on these!

3. The “Don’t Waste Your Money” List

Overkill for Beginners

  • $1,000+ Machines: Unless you’re quilting daily, start smaller
  • Heavy Industrial Models: Your kitchen table will protest

Too Basic

  • Mini Machines: Can’t handle batting + fabric layers
  • Vintage Singers: Adorable but often need $200 in tune-ups

4. Your First Quilting Project: Start Here!

Pair your new machine with:

  • This free “Disappearing 9-Patch” pattern (uses only squares!)
  • Pre-cut fabric bundles (no scary rotary cutter yet)

My #1 Advice: Practice on placemats first—less pressure than a queen-size masterpiece.

 

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