New Handwork Project

In terms of quilting, I like small, much to the amusement of my quilting friends.  I even like tiny.  However, teeny-tiny is an entirely different thing, I'm learning.  This is the kit that was backordered while I recuperated from my broken leg.  

Getting started on it was like learning EPP all over again.  My needle and thread are much finer than what I've used on other projects, and just learning how to hold the pieces while basting and stitching is different too.  Here is a picture of the first two hexagon units I've made next to my rotary cutter for perspective.  I will say this is the most portable of all quilting projects I have ever attempted.  

We had a rain event weekend before last that gave us an accumulation of 1.82 inches.  Today a dry cold front has blown in with heavy winds and accompanying fire danger.  I'll be glad when it settles down, but I think Fall will finally arrive.

Today we cast our ballots in early voting on a number of proposed amendments to the State constitution and enjoyed a stop at the local frozen yogurt place.  

Some of This and Some of That in the Sewing Room

I touched a lot of different things in the studio last week.

 

I put all the finished thrift blocks on the design wall, ran a calculation of how many more I will need, and began pulling neutrals and prints.  According to my count, I need 40 more of the 2-inch squares to make the remaining 16-patch blocks for the layout I planned.  Sixteen have already been made so only 24 need to be constructed.  That should keep me at the machine for a while.

 

I had several king-size pillow cases that needed to be hemmed for our standard pillows.  They had been taking up oxygen in the studio for longer than I care to confess.  Finished.

 

I pieced some batting remnants to use with the apple-core project.  And, I also quilted that project using the walking foot on my domestic machine.  The entire project came from my stash.  No purchases!  I actually took it with me Tuesday with the intention of squaring it for binding and then thought better of it.  This is a hand pieced project and I need to think about how it trim it without causing the seams to come apart.

 

Julia spent several hours with us Saturday.  As I have graduated from the walker to a cane and no longer have a brace on my leg, I was ready for an outing.  We went to my favorite thrift store and came home with a fall wreath for the front door.

Productive Week

Once I was able to sit down at my sewing machine, I was able to turn out a boatload of 16-patches for my Scrappy Meets Thrift Challenge.  I need fewer than 10 more 16-patches, but will need to paper piece more of the two-inch thrift blocks before I go futher.  I still have some to work with, but need to be sure I have enough variety in the neutral fabrics.

The four borders have been attached to my Kim McClean project.  I appliqued two of the four corner flowers while at my Tuesday group today and may finish at least one of the remaining two watching the recording of last night's episode of The Voice.  

I had my first real PT session yesterday.  It went okay, but they told me they were going easy on me for my first workout.  I got to meet several other patients.  My issues are not nearly as serious as some of the ones they are dealing with.  My next appointment is tomorrow morning and I have a doctor's appointment in the afternoon.  Fingers crossed that I can stop wearing the brace on my leg.

Before and After and Machine Stitching Again

 

Before and After

After letting this piece sit on the coffee table where I looked at it several times during the day, I decided to remove the offending fabric and use something else.  I like it much better.

Also, since I’m able to stand at the design wall and cutting table more, I was able to prep the final border for my Kim McLean project for applique.  It will go with me tomorrow when a friend has kindly offered to take me to my Tuesday quilting group.  Bob will pick me up after a couple of hours and we will stop by the PT office to get the paperwork for Thursday’s assessment.

And, best of all, I was actually able to sit at my sewing machine for two hours without my leg throbbing.  Here are the two 16-patch blocks I completed.  That felt really good.

 

Progress!

I can’t say I enjoyed working on this little wall/table top quilt, but it served the purpose of keeping my hands and mind occupied while I’ve been healing.  It measures approximately 19 inches square.  I’m thinking about leaving the edges curved and trying to bind it with a bias binding.  I made an error in my light/dark sequence on the right side, and would like it better if I replaced the fourth unit from the top with a lighter fabric.  I haven’t decided whether to leave it for the time being, or perhaps permanently.

The backordered EPP project arrived yesterday, but now that I’m becoming more mobile, I may resume work on an existing project instead.  I have too many in-progress projects.  Also, I think I may be able to sit at a sewing machine for short periods now.

My second follow-up with the ortho doctor happened today.  He adjusted my brace where I can begin bending my knee up to 90 percent and he is setting up physical therapy for me, possibly as soon as next week.  If things go well, I may be able to stop wearing the brace after my next appointment in two weeks!

 

Checking In

When I made the decision last year to continue my blog, I set a goal of posting every week.  This is late because I had to get past the pity parties and stinky thinking first.  Things are going well...not according to MY plan...but just as they should.  The most effective weapon in my arsenal for this kind of sorry state of mind is gratitude.  Whenever I stop to concetrate on my blessings instead of my inconveniences, I do much better.

I ordered an EPP kit to work on while I recover.  It is a small-ish project with fabrics and templates included.  Unfortunately, I was later notified that part of it had to be backordered.  So, for the sake of my sanity, I tried to come up with an idea that involved tools and stash that I could reach from a wheelchair.  Standing at a design wall or cutting table or even sitting at a sewing machine is just not feasible right now.  I am forbidden to bend my injured leg.

Eventally I remembered this Apple Core template I had purchased eons ago but never used.  And then I remembered all those lovely batiks (many from Wanda) that were stored low enough for me to access.  I honestly don't know how far I will go with this, but I will keep it small.  It's a good project that will keep my hands and mind busy and give me a chance to learn how to handpiece.  However, learning to handpiece on curved seams and batik fabric is proving ambitious.

 

Luann Kessie has a tutorial on how to use this template that she posted in 2009.  I'm sure I purchased it sometime around then and it's time I put it to use.  YouTube has some helpful videos on handpiecing as well.  This is what I did last night.

Update:  I had my follow-up appointment with the ortho doctor this morning.  He is pleased that the fracture has not gotten any worse and is optimistic that surgery is not called for.  I still can't bend my leg, but I have graduated to a walker and am encouraged to start putting as much weight on my leg as I can tolerate.  Progress.

Just call me "Grace"

Last Tuesday I wasn't paying attention and tripped, falling with my full weight on my right knee.  My leg broke just below the knee.  It's not a bad break, as breaks go.  If I can avoid falling again or doing something else to make it worse before my next appointment on the 17th, I probably won't need surgery.  In the meantime, I'm learning a whole new set of skills, like moving from a wheelchair to anything else without bending or putting weight on my right leg.  No sewing has taken place since last Tuesday.

Members of our church family are kindly providing meals and hubby is also learning some new household skills.  It's just life...