11/3/13

A Week of Sewing

This blog post could more accurately be entitled, "A Week of No Sewing". I think that's the longest I've gone without sewing in five years, except when we're traveling, of course. Still, spending so much time at the hospital has given me plenty of time for embroidery. I finished up the latest of the Quilting Snow Ladies:


And because I'm very impatient, I peeked at what the next block for this quilt will be. It seems especially appropriate now that we are "officially" into the "holiday season". Some of these have a LOT of stitching, and so this next one seems downright easy. After stitching all the blocks on the quilt in the one above, this little quilt below has me saying, "Oh, that little thing?" 


Fortunately, I already had my next block for the Vintage Tin quilt made up, and so now I'm well on the way with that one too. This is the map showing Route 66.


I'm still liking the Sticky Fabri-Solvy method of doing embroidery transfers. It does have a couple of drawbacks, however. For one thing, it takes quite a bit of rinsing to wash it off of your completed stitchery. A few folks have suggested warm water, and that does help. Still, I'm realizing that it takes several rinsings to get it all out. 

The other disadvantage is directed at those messy embroidery people among us, of which I proudly claim membership. As a messy embroiderer, I need to put muslin on the back of my pieces. Of course, even neat embroiderers may do that too, if for no other reason than to keep your floss from showing through to the front. This problem is worse for us messy embroiderers because we tend to travel out across those wide open spaces a lot. With this piece and its light fabric and black floss, undoubtedly my traveling would show through to the other side. 

So I'm going on about all of this because with three layers to stitch through, I'm finding it to be a pokey business (and I don't mean slow). I have actually stabbed myself several times with the wrong end of my needle...the dull end...and if you don't think that hurts, then just give it a try. Go ahead, I'll just wait here. Yeah, it hurts, right? 

Since I find it difficult to use a metal thimble for embroidery (although I do use one when I sew on a binding), I went in search of stick-on thimbles. Many folks swear by them. There are several different kinds. For my needs, I decided to try these leather "ThimblePads", and I am really liking them. 


Mike has been on "infectious bug" precautions all week, which has meant I've been washing my hands every time I enter and leave the room. These, being made of leather, can tolerate hand-washing without the need to remove them. 

Also, they can be used again and again. I've stuck, removed, and re-stuck mine several times, and it is still going strong. And, bonus, they are hefty enough to keep my needle from poking me. 

And with all of that stitching news, I'm going to link up to Slow Sunday Stitching.


The only other thing I've done this week is to choose the fabrics to catch up on the last three months of my Rainbow Scrap little lady blocks. Here are my fabrics all ironed and laid out. Hopefully, I'll actually get to make them once Mike gets sprung from the hospital.


But apparently someone has been in the sewing room...someone with muddy paws. Now who could that be?


Fortunately, he didn't do too much damage, but I was none too happy to find this on my white background fabric this morning. That will teach me to leave things out.


And what do you suppose Mr. Smitty has been sewing while he's in the sewing room. I figure he must be making pillows or a feather bed or something, given the amount of feathers I've vacuumed up this week. And I haven't even been feeding the birds. All I can say is that he is a conscientious hunter, using every bit of the animal...except for some of the feathers, I guess. On the other hand, maybe I'll find a lovely finch-down pillow or comforter under the tree this year. What are the chances?

That's it from me. Off to see my lover at the hospital.

21 comments:

Quilter Kathy said...

Love the quilting snow ladies... they are such good buddies! Glad to hear that your stitching has helped to pass the time while Mike has been sick. Hope he is feeling much better this week.
Thanks for taking the time to link up to Slow Sunday Stitching!

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Thank goodness you have your stitchery to work on. Your snow ladies are adorable. I love the leather thimble dots and use them all the time while doing any type of needlework, including putting on bindings. So glad that Mike is doing better.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Your stitcheries are coming along just lovely. I use the leather and metal thimble dots. Oh SMitty - bad boy.

Terri in BC said...

I learned a little trick a couple of years ago to hide those travelling threads. Instead of muslin, I use a thin fusible batting. It was an Australian pattern and they called it Parlon, and my quilt shop was able to figure out something similar. Once stitch, it really helps to give the stitching the Wow factor. I use it for all my embroidery now, even those that are to be framed. Love your work!

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

I need to get some of those when I applique, the thimble just doesn't work when I applique and I have one spot on my finger that gets sore. Love you snow stitcheries!

Tish R said...

I am always in awe of you and all that you get done in a month. I still have my do list from early this year and it is STILL not done! Argh! I do have to throw in a disclaimer that I am a one woman show around here and all the work inside and out is the responsibility of yours truly, so that helps with the procrastination.

Give Smitty a hug for me - I too have a couple of cats who love to sew cause I find enough of their fur on my wool embroidery and my stuff on the floor after they use them for keep away.

WoolenSails said...

I almost bought those yesterday, but for the price, I wasn't sure if it was worth the cost. I have the plastic ones and those restick and last but only good for my left hand to keep from poking myself, want something softer for quilting.

Debbie

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

Hoping you can breath a little easier now that your sweety is on the mend and you still managed to get some sewing done. I know that hand work help to keep your mind busy while you sat and waited. Have a better week.

scraphappy said...

Your little snow ladies are just adorable. I hope you will be able to stitch them at home soon though, the hospital is no fun for anyone.

Diane Wild said...

Love the snow ladies. Glad to see that you can get some of that hand work done while hanging out at the hospital. Smitty doesn't look all that guilty.

Quiltsmiles said...

You're making great progress on your stitched items despite the extra running you have to do. Looking great and those colors on your snow ladies is fabulous. Jane

Teresa in Music City said...

So glad to hear that Mike is doing better and able to avoid emergency surgery :*) You've made great use of your down time. Love those Snow Ladies - you seem to single-handedly keep me in a dreadfully jealous state, my friend!!! The next one is going to be a cake-walk for you.

If Smitty is anything near as creative as you, I can't wait to see what he is planning for your Christmas gift :*)

Lyndsey said...

I love your snow ladies embroidery and that you are adding a cat to each block. The quilt in the last one is really pretty. Picasso tells me Smitty wouldn't dream of using the sewing machine when you're not there cos he may sew his paws together but he'll sew you a pillow when Mike is back home.

Snoodles said...

(Raising hand with boo-boos) Me, too! I'm a pokey sewer! LOL
Thanks for the tip...I need to find some of those! I bet that Gracie and Smitty are collaborating on a surprise welcome home gift...something purrrrfect for you and Mike. :)

Nita said...

I use those sticky thimble pads, too - they are wonderful wonderful wonderful!

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Liking those thimble pads; when I put on a plastic or metal thimble, my thimbled finger acts like a band-aided one and refuses to work at all. It sticks out into the air while the next finger in line takes the poke from the wrong end of the needle--which is a hell of a poke from an EZ Threading Needle, I'm here to attest.

Footprints on the whites-sounds like my dryer which leaves rust marks on all my whites-maybe my darks too, I just cannot see them !~!

Sincerely hoping for a soonest return home for your love. He's been gone WayTooLong.

Michele said...

The stitchin ladies are adorable and I'm glad that you found a thimble solution that works for you. Shame on Smitty for dirtying pretty fabric.

Deb A said...

Love your snow stitchery. Hope everything is going ok for the patient and he is sprung from the hospital soon. Well, I could say be happy you have not had presents left for you in various shoes by that pretty kitty! Maybe a finch pillow for the couch will be under your tree this year.
have a good week.

Brown Family said...

It is good that you have embroidery to keep your hands busy while setting in the hospital!

Kate said...

I'm enjoying seeing those snow buddies. Those are fun and colorful blocks.

quiltzyx said...

Yay! Snow Ladies! You did such a wonderful job embroidering that quilt - and I agree, the next looks like a piece of cake compared.

The Route 66 map looks so nice - I don't see any messiness showing through.... ;) Thanks for the mini-review of the ThimblePads. I'm not much of a thimble user either, so I may have to look into those too.

How lucky would you be to get a Smitty Original quilt under the Christmas tree! He'll have to be more careful about those muddy paw prints tho' or you won't be surprised!