I've pleased to have finished the quilting on the final (third) quilt I'm making for a special family. I really struggled with the quilting, and couldn't understand why the tension was wrong and the machine was really struggling. My Bernina had just come back from a service so should have been running fine. Eventually, after rethreading yet again, I decided to change the fancy embroidery thread I was using to standard cotton. What a revelation, no tightness in the tension, no strange noises, and the final quilting line ran smoothly. When I sent my machine for a service I told them that the pick up thread area was really tight, but just send ordinary thread along. Guess the moral of the story is, my machine doesn't like that fancy thread! I'm a slow learner, and struggled with the quilting all along.
But now the binding is on, and I can enjoy hand stitching it down. Today is a wonderful calm, sunny Autumn day in my part of paradise. I sat outside on the patio with my box of trusty binding clips, and started stitching the binding down along the first side. Such an enjoyable pastime.
Binding time on a sunny May afternoon
Just like my quilting projects, I seem to have multiple knitting projects going on as well. I've almost finished stitching up a little toddlers jumper, using the last of the natural coloured brown wool, which was hand spun by my late friend Merilyn. After looking through my button jars and not finding anything suitable, I'll be off to buy some brown buttons this week. I'm pleased that I've still got a couple of balls of Merilyn's white/cream wool left which I will use in my 12ply winter socks, knitted with some 4ply sock yarn.
Just finishing the stitching
And just because I could, I started something new. With just one 50gr ball of this blue wool left after knitting a toddler jacket a while ago, there seemed to be enough left for a donation beany. I'm doing a bigger size than I usually make so I hope there is enough, otherwise I'll just have to pull it out and start again, a size smaller.
Blue beany
My summer cotton top that I'm knitting has come to a standstill. I need to sit down and work out the front neck shaping - because the pattern I'm using is a summer cardigan, not a top. I'm sure with a bit of concentration and taking some notes it will be OK.
I need to get back to this project next
As you know, I love to read, and there is nothing I like better than a fast paced book about serial killers. After discovering Angela Marsons books featuring DI Kim Stone, I'm devouring every one in the series in the library that I can find. There was so much going on, multiple murders of young sex workers, an abandoned baby, and modern day slavery all taking place at the same time.
And for a change of pace, I've recently finished Phillipa Gregory's books two and three in her Fairmile series. Book two is set in Venice, where dark deeds take place, in America where the early settlers and indigenous people are headed for war, and back in England in the docklands. Book three tells of the uprising against Roman Catholic King James, and the sugar slave trade in Barbados. All written with Phillipa Gregory's flair for historical story telling. To me these were "Can't put down" type of books.
A trip to the library tomorrow is a must, I've finished my books! I'll be getting withdrawal symptoms.
14 comments:
Thank goodness, it was an easy fix with your sewing machine. I noticed my machine also favors certain types of thread too. Looks like you have plenty to keep you busy, Jenny. All of your projects look wonderful. Enjoy your day.
I think we all love to start new projects just because we can, Jenny. How lovely to spend an autumn sunny day finishing your quilt. It must be a relief that your sewing machine fix was an easy one.
Pleased you worked out the problem with the machine and great to have a finish.
Good progress with the knitting.
I always used to panic when my machine come back from its service but my new service agent insists on going through every thing before I leave the shop. He's excellent on using other threads and explained the settings I need to use. I'm pleased you worked out the issue and yes sewing the binding on is so satisfying. Your knitting is progressing well. I must get back to mine.
Fancy threads--especially the flat metallic ones--give my machine problems too. I just shake my head when a person asks me to longarm a quilt for them with metallic thread and cotton thread on the same path... Oh dear... NOPE. Not happening at my house.
I'm so impressed with your knitting! I cannot do more than a plain stitch, and have never made anything as complex as clothing. Nice you found your machine is working just fine with cotton thread. It can be fussy to try to adjust the tensions and bobbins for slicker threads like rayon or poly.
i think some machines only like certain weight of threads. I had always used just about anything and had a lot of Connecting Threads product called Essential Thread which is lower priced than some and it worked great. Then I got my Babylock and it refuses to cooperate with anything other than Aurifil most of the time - other threads that are the same weight and look closely the same like Prencesia (spelling wrong I know) will work - but they are all pricier.
I too enjoy the binding process. Your quilting looks just fine. Yes, some machines don't like different threads at all. I like all of your knitting projects. I can't imagine changing a cardigan pattern into a top. I am not that confident a knitter.
I am so proud of you for the joyful life you continue to live! I had two friends who simply withered and died after the death of their husbands. My husband is now 82 so I know that in some coming day or year he will pass. I want to live as you do, not as my friends did! Thank you for being such a great example!
My machine likes certain thread, too! Glad you figured that out and could finish the quilting. Happy stitching on that binding, and knitting, too! Thanks for the book recommendations - those all sound interesting.
My Bernina, same model as yours, also does not like silky thread. even if I have it on a holder for larger reels. Lovely to know the quilts are ready for new homes.
Lots of crafty things happening at your home. I loved those two novels, I hope you do as well.
God bless.
We have much in common, Jenny. How sweet that you enjoy hand binding. Me too.
I have never knitted much, but I used to enjoy crochet.
A good, intense, "on the edge of your seat" novel is up my alley.i will look into these titles and authors.zI recommend Dean Koonz "Life Expectancy ". It has humor during scary moments in a weird but likeable way.
So many knitting, quilting and reading projects going on there, Jenny. I've had the same trouble with my Bernina and fancy slippery threads, so I totally get that. I hope you're continuing with some nice weather. It's been a cold spring here, so hoping for some warmth soon.
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