What I Have Learned About Quilting In 48 Hours!
 

Well, I started my reintroduction into the world of quilting yesterday, cutting my 5" charms into 2 1/2" squares to make a Christmas Stocking.. I learned:

1. It is much cheaper doing it this way than buying a 2 1/2" mini charm pack.
2. Cutting fabric with a scissors instead of a rotary cutter is slow and highly inaccurate. (Of course my new SHARP rotary cutter blades came TODAY.)

Today I arranged my stocking pieces and sewed the horozontal rows together. I learned:

1.Getting the pieces arranged to look right is not nearly as easy as I thought it would be when working with 32 different prints.
2. It is very easy to sew a 1 way design the wrong way.
3. A seam ripper is as indispensable as a toothbrush.
4. A button that works like a foot peddle is the greatest invention since the electric lightbulb! No more chasing the darn thing half way across the room!
5. An automatic needle threader is a Godsend for 67 year old eyes.
6. A $9 1/4" piecing foot w/guide is worth a million bucks.
7. A magnetic pin holder is the only way to go.
8. Yorkies and cats want to help you quilt.
9. A MODERN computerized sewing machine is PRICELESS!

Tomorrow I iron my pieces and join my rows together so they look like a Christmas Stocking. Monday it's a trip to Hobby Lobby for backing fabric (I have some batting left from quilting a few years ago) and putting it all together including the quilting except for the cuff. Later Monday or perhaps Tuesday I try out the embroidery part of my machine and hopefully embroider "MOM" on the cuff. If I can master the embroidery part, Wednesday the stocking will be filled with Christmas candy and on its way to my DH'S Mother in Pennsylvania.

I am totally amazed how much fun and easy this is compared to just a few short years ago. If I had known, my machine would not have sat in the box for 3 years! If I learn anything else on my adventure I will post it here.

A happy,
Louise

WOW!!!! You learned a lot in a very short time... Oh what will the wonders of tomorrow bring? Seriously, I love the way you told your story. Very funny and yet, so very true. Good luck with the embroidery.

What a great adventure....and fun too!! I predict your embroidery will go well. :) I love your story. I am so glad you got that machine out of the box!

Dina

I have only one suggestion to make--Embroider the name before sewing the back seam. So much easier to maneuver that way. Thanks for a lot of 'Yep you're right's' and chuckles. Hope you decide to keep that lovely machine unpacked.

Good things to learn quickly! A few of those I took a while to get through my stubborn head. LOL Post a pic of that stocking when you get it done. Would love to see it!

When I started quilting in the late '70's I put off buying a rotary cutter - thought I had a good pair of scissors, so didn't need it. Then a place called Fedco had a quilting package from Olfa with a rotary cutter, a self healing mat and a ruler on sale for $14.00 and so decided it was worth a try. OMG, it was what really got me into quilting.

Glad you are having so much fun. Love your post.

Tell me more about number 4 -- is this "button" part of your machine? or an attachment?
My solution to keeping that foot pedal where it belongs is a piece of rubber mat like they sell for china shelves liner.
AND before you buy lining fabric (at today's prices :( ), see if there is an unneeded shirt around the house or in the rag bag!

OMG! We loved Fedco!!!!

You are a storyteller quilter! Your stocking is going so well, winter vests for those Yorkies can't be far behind! I'm learning to use my machine to embroider also, my new Babylock sales reps have been so helpful, hope you have someone you can call if you need to, if not ask here you'll get plenty of help. Please post pics!

I love these 2!! I never use my footpedal anymore I can't control my foot - - I can't drive 55 :)