"Have you bought any more sewing machines?" she asked as we pedaled along.
"Oh, sewing machines are so passee." I joked. "I am a cycling maven, these days!"
Truth is, I want to get back in the shop. I just haven't had the time. OK I haven't taken the time. I really love cycling and honestly, to cycle 10 miles takes 90 minutes. We live in the country and the best bicycle riding is along the road, one valley over. The hill between here and there is a
K I L L E R. I know I could walk some of it and ride some of it. It is just more pleasant to burn a little diesel and drive over, park and pedal happily along.
Yesterday we rode for 20 miles. Add that to the twenty miles from Wednesday. Did you get Forty? Aren't you smart. I spent the afternoon on the couch yesterday and barely had energy for quilting. By three, though, I was up and at the quilt frame.
I managed to keep it pretty square as I advanced the quilt.
Ruler work is improving. OK. My technique is improving. I don't stop and start so much and am faster with the machine. But I don't get the stitches in the ditch. That's ok. This is a practice quilt and I am being very kind to myself.
Well, I wish I could cycle like that. I would only ride on a bike path as I do not trust drivers, especially with cell phones. I did buy a new bike this year. It has been out once. If I ask myself what I really want to do, it is sewing. So I keep on doing it. I finished another small quilt today. Lance told me to use an allen wrench and loosen all the wheels to make sure the weight seats the wheels right and then tighten them. It helped immensely with the 11 to 7 o'clock drift. I even used a ruler on diagonals on this quilt. I am relieved your mom is better.
ReplyDeleteHi, I've been reading for a while and love watching what you're doing. I do have a question...
ReplyDeleteI'm a 4-H leader in Pennsylvania and we've recently added quilting projects to the family/consumer sciences category. One of the big questions we've had for our project book that the kids complete is about machine quilting. We have no problems with a regular sewing machine quilting being done by kids, but the big discussion is about long arm quilting. Is this something a child could do if they had access? I'm leaning towards no, plus would someone that had invested in a long arm machine allow a child/teenager to use it. We want the kids to complete the entire project themselves, but I personally need to know if that would even be possible.
If you could provide insight based on your experience, please let me know.
Thanks.
I think that anything we can do to keep kids involved we should do. So my answer is yes. The Long Arm machine is a straight stitch machine that runs at high speed. It can be slowed down but it's better if it is a bit fast. Kids can do it with supervision. If there were kids around here who wanted to do it, I would show them how and of course, supervise. Can't speak for others.
DeleteWashed all 4 of my dogs yesterday. And me too. And changed all the furniture blankets. Everyone's feeling and smelling a lot better. If you took a day off biking and washed the dogs, you'd still get plenty of exercise and probably a lot more creative energy once everyone smells so fresh and clean. Your "practice quilt" looks really great. Your stitch work is getting so much better and better.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to wash dogs. I want to ride my bike.
DeleteIn the surrounding area we have had several biker tragedies due to stupid drivers doing stupid things so please do take yourself to the safer place to bike. Not sure as I am in therapy still since April if that many miles without building up to them is a super idea. I can't give any advice as I am older than you and still learning the difficult concept of all things in moderation is a good idea after one has 6 decades. On the flip side sometimes anything is better than something rolling always in your mind driving you crazy. Love love love the long arming you are doing on the new machine. I am so nutty I would be a lot more likely to use and love a practice quilt than one that was show ready as opposed to keeping that type in a closet or on display. The ones lately are looking to me way beyond a practice quilt. I just love how you are cranking them out while you are getting used to the machine.
ReplyDeleteI ride on the road less traveled and have a very good mirror. I haven't had to ditch the bike yet and most drivers around here are courteous. I started riding my Vita Master exercise bike in February, four days a week. I was up to 40 minutes before I got on the bicycle. I think I am ok.
DeleteYes, I am loving the quilting, too. This one is better than I though. Happy me.
Didn't know you were a biker girl, you look so happy. Quilts just keep getting better and better.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't until I decided I needed exercise to help my memory. Got on an exercise bike in the house and now outside.
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