Darn bills..
 

They are getting in my way of buying fabric. lol

Someone posted yesterday, I think, about a store going out of business. Well I asked if she had several fabrics, getting a yard of most with some 5 yards and 2 yards. She said the total would be $38 for 19 yards of fabric, from flannel to cotton to fleece. But we had to pay our yearly deductible for my sugery, something we were thinking, nor prepared, for. So no more fabric until next month. :(

I need to buy fabric for my mom's quilt which is my next quilt to start once I am able to walk upstairs and sit to sew. Darn surgery...lol. But at least I am getting better and hope no more pain.

So what do you do when you can't buy fabric...or sew...I have just been window shopping and waiting to be able to sew again. I got my darning foot in so I am itching to practicing FMQ.

Move the machine downstairs and get going. Hope you are feeling better soon.

I am tempted to ask hubby to move it for me...but I don't think he would. He is a strict nurse. lol. I am doing good at sitting at the table so maybe in a couple of days, I can venture up the stairs. Maybe....

Plan quilts. Get colored pencils and some graph paper and play. If you don't end up with a design that you want to make later, you don't. If you can sit up, could you do some light cutting? Organize your leftover pieces into 2.5 inch strips or cut some squares?

If you're itching to practice FMQ, go to the nearest thrift shop, pick up the cheapest floral fabric you can find -- doesn't matter if it's an old shirt or where it comes from. This is just practice fabric, meant to be thrown out. Find something for the bottom of your sandwich -- junk fabric, something really cheap. Use paper towel for the "batting". Then start by outlining the flowers on the fabric using your new FMQ foot. Try different sizes of flowers. Or different patterns. The whole point is just to get comfortable with the process, and pulling up the bobbin thread to the top, and getting the feel for the movement, and how slow/fast you can go, and how you need to slow down for curves, and how to alter the thread tension if it's not right. For that matter, you may have some old clothes, or a old sheet or stained tablecloth you can use. Just get going, start practicing! This will give you something of genuine value to do until you can buy fabric! If you want more directions (because this is how I learned FMQ) just PM me.

I do machine applique with a lot of preparation needed. So I trace onto the fusible, cut and assemble until I can get to the machine. Then I have a lot of satin stitching waiting and can do all of one color before changing the thread.

A friend of mine went to The Salvation Army Thrift Store and bought shirts for a few dollars each. She cut them up and made a quilt with them for very little money.

Thanks! That is a good idea. Hubby was getting rid of a lot of old shirts, so I can practice on them.

Tomorrow I hope to start walking up steps...Hubby won't let me today. He is being very protective, and he doesn't want me to over do it.

Just an FYI, I had a hysterectomy so moving is still tender but I am getting better. Just can't sit or lay for too long or I get stiff and it hurts to move again. Hubby has been wonder but like I said protective but he is going to get our DD today because I miss her and she don't need to miss anymore MDO, she has been gone for 8 days.

I totally understand about bills getting in the way of buying fabric. I am having the same problem. I did start to cut up all my scraps so that my daughter is making a scrappy quilt, and I have some other things that I am working on that I don't need to buy fabric for but my niece is having her baby tomorrow and I was not able to buy the material I wanted to for a nice and cuddly baby blanket for her. I have some other stuff that would work for a blanket for the floor but nothing nice and soft for now. I am bummed. I hope you get to feeling better, and isn't it lovely when the DH really takes care of us when we are sick? Beth

Maybe your DH could look in the closet for any cotton shirts you and/or he doesn't use any more. I've seen some stunning quilts made out of shirtings.

Feel well soon!

Do you have any men's ties that they don't wear anymore I've seen some Dresden plates done with them and also a Dresden Quilt and a Tree Skirt. I almost threw out the ones my DH had and saw something made with them and am glad I hadn't cleaned them out I plan to use them I just hope I have enough. Hope you feel better soon. Don't overdue it takes longer to recoup if you have a setback. Sue

I hope that you will be feeling much better very soon! In the meantime, there is much that you can do in planning your next project as suggested here from fellow board members.

I very rarely purchase material from Joann's (then only when I can use a 40% or 50% off coupon), and never from my local quilt shop (can't afford to). I buy all my material from thrift shops, consignment stores, yard sales, estate sales, I trade fabric with friends, etc. Right now I am making a jeans quilt for my granddaughter's high school graduation for her to take to college in the fall. I just spent the weekend going through mine and DH's clothes collecting jeans, jean shirts, skirts, and jean shorts that I can cut up and use in the quilt. I also went by my local thrift shop and asked if they ever get jeans that are torn or stained that they do not resell but toss out, and they took me to a bin of discarded jeans and told me to help myself. I am also collecting flannel from shirts, etc, to cut squares for the back side of my quilt to make it colorful, warm and reversible. Check your local thrift shop for blankets or mattress pads in good condition that you can use for batting. Years ago, the women of the house made quilts from cast-off clothing, aprons, curtains, etc. That still can be done today with just a little imagination.

Good luck! Have fun and let your creative juices flow! :D

when I had my hysterectomy I sat on my behind and went up and down the steps worked really well for me

If you have to climb stairs. Sit and scoot up them, one at a time I had the same problem years ago, with that surgery. I was not to be kept away from my sewing room. I sat and scooted up the stairs. Puttered around, then scooted back down the stairs. Your energy will come back.. and you will be better than new.

Good advice .....I 'm gonna try that myself .Thank you, MacThayer !

Nancy ,I made a jean quilt also. I did the cathedral window with my families discarded clothing ,and it turned out to be a very interesting memory quilt . My daughter teaches art and took it in to show the children that there are all different forms of art. it is a heavy quilt .use it for picnic to put on the ground .

Can't you go up and down the stairs on your butt, like when we were kids?

hi!! I know the books say NOT to use sheets but!! I have found some good quality sheets at the goodwill and the quilts turned out nice! Please keep in mind I don't try to make Heirloom quality quilts! I make good every day quilts and so far most loved them because they are warm and easily washable. this might work for practice FMQ and it keeps the cost down. hope you are better than ever soon!!!

Thanks! I actually walked up the stairs today BUT I have been super tired today. Hubby did say that after he drops Little Bit off at Mother's Day Out tomorrow, he will let me go upstairs and sew some. I want to practice FMQ on some scraps since my foot came in the day after my surgery.

Though I am tempted to start my Jelly Roll Race Quilt since that fabric came in the day of my surgery. Hmmm, what to do, what to do. lol

I do have some fabric in my online shopping cart for when payday comes on the first!

How about laughing? That really hurt for me. Also, it is so easy to overdo. I felt so good about a week after my surgery I decided to do tons of laundry. That put me back in the bed for 2 wks. Just go slow and don't overdo and you'll be fine.

Oh my, just take care of yourself! Your husband is smart to be overprotective, you know, other wise you would already be running up those stairs. :) Seriously, maybe you could read about quilting or plan your next project, for now.

Just take care!

Dina

They've already said it all. Just sending you lots of "hugs". Be thankful for that protective DH. He's a keeper.

I just had knee surgery 3 weeks ago. I have not sewed this much for as long as I can remember. My husband moved my sewing machine to the front room on a card table. I had this planned beforehand and had all my projects at my fingertips. I could walk with a walker after the first few days, so I could go to the sewing room and get what I needed and husband would bring it to the front room on a little stand so I could reach it. I propped my foot up on a stool and went to town. I'd sew for 15 minutes or so and then get in my recliner and rest for awhile. Then after an hour or so, back at it again. I could really like get to like this lifestyle. I work from my home, but took a month off and have been so glad that I did. Make the most of what you can. Just remember to not overdo it take good care of yourself. You may not be able to do this, but just wanted you to know what I did. I realize it's not for everyone that has had surgery, but it worked for me.

I can't afford to buy fabric either, so I just sew small projects that I can use from my scraps. Works for me. Good luck, I hope you won't have anymore pain. (I hope I won't either). :) Life is good.
Blessings.

I totally understand about bills getting in the way of buying fabric. I am having the same problem. I've been cutting up old jeans for now. I also have some old shirts that I want to use. So I have been cutting them up in blocks. I do hope you get to feeling better.

Thanks everyone! I think the 2 times up the stairs yesterday was a little much so I am not sure if I will attempt it today. Though I did sleep better due to some suggestions from others; I slept on the couch instead of the bed and my pain wasn't as bad when I woke...and I finally slept most of the night instead of waking every 2 hours.

And my sewing machine is an old 1966 Singer in the cabinet, though it isn't heavy, it is a litte hard to get it downstairs.

Someone explain what is a scrappy quilt? Thanks, Teresa

I haven't paid a bill in years. LOL That's DH job. I do check our bank balance from time to time to know how much I can spend. Zentangles would be perfect for anyone recuperating. It's fun and relaxing. Check it out, all you need is paper and a black ink pen.

I've been thru what you had done. and your HUSBAND IS TOTALLY RIGHT! DON'T RUSH IT AND YOU'LL DO FINE. My Dr/ told me not to lift anything heavier than a cup of coffee for 6 weeks and I didn't. So listen to your husband. You now don't have the uterus to hold up the bladder, so be good.

My Dr. pinned up my bladder when I had my hysterectomy, and did a tummy tuck said it would save me from having bladder repair later and would hold my innards in place better. I thought I'd never walk again I was so sore. It took about six weeks to be able to lift anything. He was right though, no trouble with 'leaks' or pouch at all and it's been almost 20 years, so I guess it was worth it.

Well I finally got a chance to get upstairs and sew some! I started my Jelly Roll Race quilt. I did the "binding" of all the strips in about 3 days, lol, then did 2 seams over 2 days. I can't sit too long so it will take a little longer to finish but I am getting there. And payday came so I ordered the layer cake for my mom's quilt, along with binding material and the daily deal for that day! They were out of the material I needed for the backing. :( But I hope to go to the store either today or tomorrow to see if they have any.

Doc has released me to drive and do as I feel able to. I still have done alot since he released me Tuesday but at least I know I can. I go back in 4 weeks for another checkup. Pain is pretty much gone minus a few here and there. I can move so much better. Wearing clothes is my main issue now, too tender for jeans but that is all I have minus pjs. Hope to go to Wal-Mart for yoga pants or something today. I have one pair of baggy jeans that I can wear comfortably.

this too shall pass and you'll be able to sit and sew til the cows come home. In the mean time, just catch up on the soaps and enjoy. Or, have you thought about sewing by hand. It is slower. But, once you get the hang of it, you'dll see that things come out much nicer. And you don't have to do all that ironing!

Well with 4 cats in the house, needle + thread = trouble! lol I have tried before and unless I shut myself up, it does not work out very well. They do fine with the sewing machine...usually one is laying on the end of the table. lol

Not to forget my 3 1/2 year old that wants "help."