Having completed the gift quilt, it's time to complete the practice quilt that I meant to finish first. The old Kenmore sewing machine had quite a workout, so I opened it up to clean it out and oil the appropriate spots. There was a lot of cotton dust sticking to various mechanisms, and "crud" in some areas where metal parts should be sliding smoothly. I used a brush and a few qtips to clean and polish some inside areas, and insulin syringes to apply tiny drops of oil on working mechanisms. One of the bottom screws is damaged and I can't get it to turn, so .i try to access spots that need oil, through more awkward and difficult pathways. In the middle foto, you can see that I replaced the old, dim, hot, incandescent light bulb with a modern, cooler, brighter LED bulb. I'm amazed that that is possible, and so easy. I'm wondering if I should get a new belt, and how easy is that to find? This one works fine but it's really old. Then I put it all back together. It always surprises me that it works after I take it apart and put it back together. But it actually runs noticeably more smoothly, easier, and no skipped stitches. Imagine that! I sewed a few rows on the practice quilt. It wad quite a bit easier than it was yesterday. I want to finish my backlog of quilts, then have a clean slate to begin some more intricate and possibly more artistic looking quilts.
Completed quilting and binding on scrap quilt. Then a trip to the washer (gentle, cold water, twice) and dryer (low warm setting) to fluff up the batting a bit. This was practice for the all-batik quilt that I posted earlier. The fabric was all scraps that I didn't much care for or couldn't figure out what to do with. Also some techniques I haven't tried before. The batting is pieced together from saved scraps too. That worked OK, but required much more smoothing out as I went along, than a whole batting. Some fabric pieces were somewhat looser weave, so I used spray basting to attach them to white backings. That made them a bit more stiff. I won't use spray basting again anyway, too obnoxious in the lungs and doesn't wash out despite the manufacturer's claims.
The m&m quilt is pinned together and I made arrangements to go to the senior center on Monday to learn the long arm. Meanwhile I will be working on repairing my son's graduation quilt. This was my third quilt and first using more than just squares. I don't know why I made it so long (96x55). I think I've kind of decided to take the first row (Halloween) off. That one has the most scorched pieces. Then I can use the money tree fabric to fix the one tree on the snowflake row, that's scorched. I'll move the money clip row down. That would make it 87x55. A double/full size is 54x75. This should be a quick fix.
@Daniel W and @Willowisp0801 Do you do quilts with animals , horses or dogs or transfer pictures ? You’re both extremely talented. Just to arrange and design in a pattern is quite the challenge. I have no idea where to even start. Maybe first is to get a machine. Daniel how did you get started with quilting? And same question for Willow?
Pac, I don't remember why I started making quilts. I've had sewing machines ever since my discharge from the army, 1970s, using them to make and repair all sorts of things. It was never really a hobby, just a way to get things done. Then, after I retired and I was being treated for cancer, I didn't have the strength or energy to do what I wanted at the time -furniture refinishing and home remodeling. Sewing a quilt seemed calming and a creative outlet. I don't recall what made me think that. I can do it while listening to a book or watching something on the TV. I'm still learning and I still make lots of mistakes. Even finding "the right" sewing machine can be a challenge. I'm happiest with my 1990s or 1980s era machine, but they can't do fancy quilting. As for animals or transfer pictures, I've never learned to do that. Some day, I might change to doing the quilting with hand stitches, and do more texturing or appliqué. But not yet and maybe never. (being a guy at Joanne's can get a guy some stares and some rudeness. Or maybe it's my imagination. I usually buy from on line fabric stores now).
@Daniel W Interesting story how quilting became a hobby for you. And your designs are very versatile with color pattern and design. This does seem to be calming for you at a constant for a period of time , considering your illness during the beginning of your creative journey. You have developed a considerable endurance constitution. I can’t keep up with every thing you have accomplished this last year . You like are like the ever ready energy bunny. I would never have imagined you had a difficult health condition . I hope your past illness was not connected by your service in the army. And very happy to hear your doing so much better now. Considering your daily activities last season it seems as though you got your groove back and then some. I would imagine finding a sewing machine would be a huge undertaking. Would you believe I’ve never owned a sewing machine. Quilting seems like it’s a project that requires sitting still for long periods. Unfortunately I am a notorious wiggle worm .
