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Thursday, October 3, 2019

Rolling the Dice again

It seems ages since I “rolled the dice” and on checking back I can see it hasn’t happened since mid August!  That’s what happens when holidays get in the way of a girl and her sewing machine.  But I’m making a start again this week, and the number to be worked on is number 5, the Christmas Mystery Quilt. 

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The completed top

I remembered that I had pinned the quilt together some time ago and had a  bit of bother with not getting the layers nice and smooth.  The problem seemed to be the pieces of batting that I had stitched together – I should have cut straight edges I think before stitching the pieces.  But no, why did I think that stitching curved pieces would work?  After unpinning part of it I eventually smoothed out the batting and backing and re-pinned it all again. 

So for the last couple of days I have been stitching in the ditch with my walking foot along the sashing to hold it all together.  Yes, I have to pin each stitching line, just in case.  This takes extra time, but makes me feel happier with the extra pins, a bit like a security blanket, I guess!

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Starting the machine quilting

Not sure if I will get all the quilting done this week, or not.  But we have the weekend at home, for a change, so I’ll keep plodding on.

Gemma has been helping too, and often lays down and has a snooze behind my sewing cabinet.  She also seems to have taken a liking to her play tunnel  again.  When not rushing madly through it she has taken to being on guard in the entrance – then she can rush out and pounce on our feet, if she feels like it!

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Gemma on guard

8 comments:

Tired Teacher said...

I like to use a lot of pins, too. It may take time to place them, but in the end, it saves time. Gemma looks content in her play tunnel.

Janice said...

It must feel good being back at the sewing machine. It would definitely have been worth the effort to fix the batting or it would have always annoyed you. Gemma looks to be doing a fine job of guarding her tunnel.

Pink Rose said...

Hi Jenny this quilt is beautiful it will be a lovely finish for you and what a character Gemma is xx

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Such a pretty quilt Jenny. Oh I dislike this part of pinning the layers..it takes me ages to sort it. Love to see Gemma; what a lucky girl she is!

Maria said...

Pleased you could straighten out the quilt and re pin it. No rush to quilt it, just enjoy.
Looks like Gemma is really happy to be home for awhile...

Michelle Ridgway said...

A lovely quilt Jenny. Now you have It how you want enjoy the quilting. Gamma is such a gorgeous colour xx

Karen S said...

Glad you have been able to sort out the problems with the batting. I use a lot of pins when I am quilting, too. I like everything to stay in its place.

Raewyn said...

Sounds like it will be done for Christmas this year! You'll be pleased you took the time to get the batting nice and smooth again - and I too would rather have too many pins than not enough. Happy quilting.