One Step At A Time

Thomas A. Edison
I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward. 

 Peter A. Cohen
There is no one giant step that does it. It's a lot of little steps. 

Jack Penn
One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks. 

 Barbara Bush
You don't just luck into things as much as you would like to think you do. You build step by step, whether it is friendships or opportunities. 

I am getting my split 9 patch done little by little, step by step.  The small one inch border is finished now and next is the last wider border that is 5".  You can see the chalk marks still on the border where I quilted these nested teardrop shapes.  I marked an X at every inch and tried to make them all that size.  The X is marked in the center so it gives me a place to aim for and did work pretty well.  As you can see everything is not all exactly the same but over all when you look at the entire border you don't see those inconsistencies. 


I had a comment on how well I quilt .... well, I hate to admit it but that is because I take photos of the best parts.  What you don't see are the wobbles and places that could be better.  For instance this photo shows what I cropped out of the first photo.  Will I take this out?  Probably not, as you really can't see it and this is a "for fun" quilting project, not a show quilt.

I use the BSR  (Bernina Stitch Regulator) on my Bernina 730 machine so that keeps the stitches even, now if I can just keep my driving smooth.  Sometimes it works well and other times I am all over the place.  Any of you that have the BSR, what stitch length do you use?  Do you change stitch length for different weights of thread, different projects?  On this quilt I am quilting with Sulky 30 wt. thread, using a 90 topstitch needle and stitch length of 2.

Have been doing my PT exercises pretty regular until yesterday when I had a Dr. apt. and then went plant/flower shopping and didn't get home until 3 pm.  I got lazy and only did the exercises a couple of times and today I am paying for it.  My shoulder is aching and the exercises didn't go as well first thing this morning so guess I had better be more diligent.  Am trying to keep from having surgery so had better put my best effort into the PT - right?

Will keep plugging away, step by step, whether it is quilting or physical therapy!

Lynn

Quilt In A Day

Yesterday I started and finished a project all in one day and I am not even Eleanor Burns! Aren't you amazed?

Guess now I will also have to admit it was a simple kit for a small wall hanging with the borders and center already cut so all I had to do was stitch the borders on, mark my fusible, iron them on, cut them out and fuse.

My sister J gave me this kit when she came to help white glove at the State Fair and it has been sitting on my sewing table since then. Yesterday I wanted to sew but didn't have anything started and my eyes landed on this kit. Was easy and fun to do.

I fused the applique pieces then did a buttonhole stitch around them with coordinating threads. After layering it I used the BSR foot to quilt it. It is getting easier to use the BSR with more practice but I still tend to tense up a lot.

It is called "Tulip Time" by Country Traditions and is 5" x 15". http://www.countrytraditionsonline.com/

Happy Sewing,

Lynn

BSR - 830 Unveiling

Just a note here as I am taking a break from quilting my NSQG challenge. Used the BSR on the trees when I should have used the walking foot as it was hard to get straight lines and because the quilt pieces are so small I had to be very exact. I am using Bottom Line for the underneath thread and it is doing a great job so far anyway.

Also taking a break from sewing to watch the grand unveiling of the new Bernina 830 online. With all the hype that has been out about this machine I want to see what it is like. Don't think I am even remotely interested in purchasing one but just the same I want to see what it can do.

Better get off this website now as the live video is about to start.

Lynn