Time to do your Spa day?

 I do hope all of you had a fabulous Christmas day.   New Year's day is less than a week away.  You all know what that means.  It's time to do our Spa Day on all our FWs.  And I'm right here to remind you.  Get out your oiling/greasing chart and just get it done.  Do write down that you finished it up in your log book and you're good for awhile.  I'll remind you again the end of June.  You'll still need to do those 8-10 hours oiling spots and the daily drop of oil in the race.  Don't forget those.

2026 is just around the corner and when a few of the FW Club members got together recently, we decided that we're going to declare 2026 the 'Year of the Scrap'.  We've all got them and they seem to grow the longer we quilt.  Yup, I've got plenty.  At each one of our monthly Sew-in-Days this year I'll be teaching a block that uses scraps.  I don't know yet what those blocks will be but each month it will be different.  I will try to post them here after we've met each month.  If you can't attend in person, watch for those posts.

I'll be sending out emails about our March retreats very soon.  If you are on the roster or on the waiting list, be watching for it.  I will be announcing another retreat this year to bring the total to 5 for 2026.   I'll give more info about that new date soon as well.

 As we close out 2025, let's stop and be thankful for all the good things that have happened to us this year.  You might know that it's been a tough year for me.  2025 was the Chinese Year of the Snake.  I've never been too fond of snakes.  Guess the 2026 Year of the Horse could be worse but let's hope not.  Happy New Year, everyone.  Let's hope good things are just waiting to reveal themselves.

Looking forward to Christmas!

I said I was going to try and post more often and that's what I'm hoping to do.  This past week it was Thanksgiving, a time to think of all the wonderful blessings we've all received.   My first big holiday dinner ran a little late.  After checking my oven temps with an oven thermometer the next day, I discovered my oven is running a little too low..... about 25 degrees.  Now that I know I'll be more diligent and plan ahead.

We got our first big snow last night, about 5 inches here.  I don't have a snow blower or even a snow shovel so my efforts to clear my driveway wasn't easy.  A neighbor saw me and he's the guy that clears the snow off our private road.  It took him about 10 minutes to clear things off so now I can get in and out with no problems.  Again, I feel blessed.  I live in a friendly neighborhood.

What about sewing?  I got ask to make a bag for my great grandson so I've been working on that.  I should say, I'm slowing working on that.  Guess I need to put it in gear and get that going more quickly.  Christmas day will be here before I know it.  Great grandson's bag won't have FW Club on it.  He's getting trucks and tools!

It will be good to wrap up this year.  It's been a difficult one for me but things are falling in line.   I'm looking forward to more relaxing days soon.  I hope you all have your Christmas shopping under control and will be ready for the FW spa day  between Christmas and New Year's day.  I'll stop by and remind you.

Cha-Cha-Cha-CHANGES!

 

Wow!  I look at my last post and see that it's been nearly a year since I've been here, chatting about life and sharing things going on with me.  Well, so much has changed in one year.  Whether we like it or not, CHANGE does happen when we least expect it.  Where do I begin?

Since my Big Guy passed, I've sold our home, bought a new home, moved from the lake and woods to a place closer to people and stores and now I'm enjoying setting things up and settling in.

JDquilts has kept me busy with retreats, classes, and lots of FWs to repair and get going again.  Those things kept my days full and me out of trouble.  We're still doing the FW Club Sew-in-Days but like everything there will probably be some changes happening ahead with those.  Last month there were only 3 at our gathering so I'm looking to hear from you all about what changes should happen.  The Quilt Patch owner and I met and a few suggestions were brought up.  Should we meet during the week (it would probably be a Tuesday), or would you all prefer our get togethers be on a Sunday each month?  The store would open at 10am for us if we decide to do that and everything else would be the same.  I do like having the same day of the month planned for our gatherings.  I think it makes it easier for all of us to remember we have that day planned.  But, it's possible the dates could be different days each month.  What do you think?  Do contact me and let me know what you would like.  These gatherings are for all of you after all.  You know my email but here it is just so it's easier for you to send a message:  jdquilts123@yahoo.com.

In the meantime,  I'll keep getting my house organized, bring more sewing stuff into my amazing sewing studio and keep you posted of FW and other stuff happening.  Stay tuned.  Let's get moving on this blog once again.  I'm ready and hope to be a bit more regular in the future.

It's that time again!

It's been awhile.  Life got crazy and here we are, the day after Christmas already.  It's the week that I'm supposed to remind all of you to do your spa day on those beautiful featherweight machines.  So, even if you don't get the machines done this week before New Year's, it's okay.  Do it when you can and I'll try to remind you the end of June to do it again.

2024 has been a difficult year and I'll be happy to see it go.  My dear husband of 59 years passed in November from cancer and I'm working hard to reinvent my life without him.  I hope to wrap myself up in sewing, quilting, knitting, spinning, lace making, basket making, whatever to keep me busy.  

I have so much to do as I reinvent myself.  What do I keep?  What do I get rid of?  It's a time in my life where I need to downsize a bit.  My kids sure don't need to have to deal with all the stuff we have accumulated over the years.  I'm planning on spending 3 mornings a week working of that.  The other parts of the days I will try to be doing things I love to do.

I will try to do better at posting this year.  And, I'll try to remind you all of upcoming featherweight opportunities.  On Saturday, 12/28/24, we'll have a Sew-in-Day at the Quilt Patch in Tecumseh.  You can sign up at the Quilt Patch website,   https://www.thequiltpatch.com/.

I'll be teaching a FW maintenance class on January 11, 2025 at the Quilt Patch as well.  Go to the website to sign up if you want to learn all about how to take care of that precious machine that you have.

May 2025 bring all of us good things this year.  I look forward to closing the 2024 door and steppi  ng into my new life this time.  I hope each day brings a new beginning, new adventures, new friends.  Happy New Year!

Jean

Oops, I think I missed my spa day!

 The 4th of July is over and done with and I didn't post a reminder about spa day for your featherweights.  I'm so sorry but I don't think it's too late.  If you follow my suggestion, I tell people the best way to remember when to do your 6-month oil/grease and lube day is to do it between Christmas and New Year's day and then again between my birthday and the 4th of July.  Those two times are just about 6 months apart.  So, go ahead and do that spa day if you haven't done it already.

It's really been nice up here in the woods this summer.  We didn't get to come last year so that makes it even more special this time.  But, not doing all the things that need to be done last year has meant there is more to do now.  The flower beds were pretty grown over and they all need a boost with some good manure added to feed those plants.  Our neighborhood doe really likes petunias and tomatoes.  She just about devoured those when we had to go back to AA for the dr check up.  I think they will come back.  I hope they will come back.

It's so quiet up here and that means I can catch some sewing time on rainy days and early in the mornings.  I started a Judy Niemeyer quilt, Carnival Flower, back in the winter and took a class.  Nancy Kloster is a great teacher but I was only able to participate in 3 of the 6 monthly classes.  She told me not to worry.  She'd answer any questions I had and she did that.  The quilt top is done now and I really do love it.  I don't know how I'm going to quilt it yet but I'll figure it out, I'm sure.

And, our summer FW retreats are coming up so soon now.  I can't wait for all the fun.  If you'd like to get your name on the list for the 2025 retreats, be sure to email me.  jdquilts123@yahoo.com

Okay, guess I'll get back to my FW and try to get things ready for our get together next month.  Do let me know if you have any questions or comment here.  I'll  be sure to post pictures after our retreats.

So, you want to clean up your FW?

 I had a very interesting and challenging issue that came up this past month.  You know,  there are a ton a u-tube videos out there in the deep dark web that can lure you in so quickly.  They promise to give you all the answers to all the questions you might have about your featherweight and many of them will get you in a lot of trouble!  There are a few things you need to know before you get sucked in!

First, if you've not worked on your FW before, don't start trying to fix a bunch of things all at once.  Even those of us that work on these cute little machines all the time know better than to take a bunch of stuff apart at the same time.  And, if I do take a few things apart I always make sure to keep each area of things separate from each other. My general rule is, 'IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT'!  And if you do want to fix it, rely on someone that knows what they are doing!

Next, pay close attention to which screws go where.  There are so many teeny tiny screws in the FW and each one has to go exactly where it goes. The hardware store won't carry a Singer screw.  Use magnetic dishes to hold things and always work over a padded surface.  Those screws get legs and run off everywhere!  Don't let them escape!  Also, if the head of a screw is damaged, DON'T PUT IT BACK IN THE MACHINE!  A damaged screw head is never a good thing.  You can get a replacement screw from me or calling the FW shop.  And, remember that screws are to be tightened just to the snug stage.  Over tightening screws can cause a lot of damage.

And, I hate to say this but really, it's true.  It's best to take your FW to someone that specializes in FWs.  So many times I get  a machine after it's been worked on by a licensed sewing machine repair person.  They often use the wrong grease (like the molykote in this machine), adjust things incorrectly or don't service the motor at all.  BAD STUFF!  You can service your machine if you learn how.  There are people and places that will teach you what you need to know.

You know I love getting your machine back up and running and if I do say so myself, I'm not bad at it.  I just got a machine back to sewing a beautiful stitch after the local repair guy gave up on it.  The machine had been taken apart by the owner following one of those u-tube videos showing how easy it is to take things apart to clean them.  She found it's not so easy.  I even had issues getting it back to sewing the beautiful stitch it wanted to stitch.  You really do need to know a bit more than how to wind a bobbin and thread the machine. 

Take a class.  Follow the Featherweight Shop's great schoolhouse instructions and when you have questions ask before you mess something up.  I will always answer your email questions as quickly as I can and I'm happy to do that.  Contact me!  jdquilts123@yahoo.com.

Okay, that's it!  Let me know if you have questions.  I'll always try to help.

 

How does time get away from us so easily?

Really, I think that I can still do all the things I used to do but, I can't.  I'm getting older and I guess I didn't expect time to fly past me this fast.  What a busy beginning of 2024 we've had here.  I've taught quite a few classes.  I gone to 4 retreats already this year.  We've had some medical issues here with many trips to the hospital and I've been working on FWs like crazy.  I think that accounts for my not getting a chance to do as much as I think I can do.

Our FW Sew-in days have been so much fun.  I've been able to be at most of them and the ladies that come tell me they really LOVE getting together once a month.  There is a change in the date for April and since that's coming up this week, I guess I need to make mention of it.  Usually we meet the 4th Saturday of each month but due to a scheduling conflict, April's Sew-in Day is going to be Thursday, April 25th.  Do go online to the Quilt Patch website, www.thequiltpatch.com, and sign up.  We meet 10am-3pm.  Bring whatever you want to work on and expect a great time with other FW owners.

It's close to time for us to head North for the summer.  If the doctors say that's okay for us to do this year, we'll be heading up sometime within the next month.  If you have a machine you want me to work on or you need to buy a new to you FW, give me a shout out by emailing me, jdquilts123@yahoo.com.  I will try to figure out how we can get all the things done that you need before we leave.

I'll be sending out information about the August retreats pretty soon as well.  Getting the roster set in stone is the first step.  I'm already trying to figure out what fun things to plan for our great get togethers.  I really love all the fun we have.

Do I have any FW tips to pass on this time?  Well, I've had a couple of ladies bring their machines to me because the motor just stopped and there wasn't a hum or any kind of movement of anything.  What's going on with that?  A FW doesn't work just fine and then, all of a sudden it quits.  Well, a dead spot in a motor can do that but you can get things working just fine by giving the hand wheel a bit of a push when you have a dead spot.  Nope, this time, nudging the handwheel didn't work.  So, I had to start doing some investigating.  Why isn't the motor getting any electrical current?  Where is it getting cut off?

After a bit of trial and error hunting through things, I decided to open up the foot controller and that's where I found the problem.  There was a bug wing stuck between 2 electrical connectors where nobody would see them easily.  And, as you can see, it was a pretty big bug wing. How on earth did a bug wing get in that foot controller in the first place?  Well, I'll probably never be able to answer that question.  I used my tweezers to get the bug wing out and then brushed any lint and fluff out that had accumulated.  Everything worked just fine at that point.  You know the FW owner was so embarrased but really, that bug wing could have been there for years and only just that one day worked its way in between the spot where the electricity wanted to flow.  This was a new one to me!  And to have it happen to two foot controllers in the same week was amazing.  Guess I should have bought me a lottery ticket.  Oh well!

Happy Sewing.  Enjoy your Spring while it lasts.  Time will rush it by too soon.

It's time for our Spa Day

 

 

As the holiday gets closer and closer, I'm reminded that I've always suggested doing a Spa Day on your precious little FW between Christmas and New Year's day.  That's tradition for me.  After all, every six months we do need to take care of our machine(s) to keep it (them) running well.

I get asked this question all the time.  'Do I need to give all my machines a Spa Day every 6 months?  Some of them haven't been out of the case since the last Spa Day.'  Well, let's use a bit of common sense here.  If the machine hasn't been out of the case, it doesn't need another full Spa Day, does it?  You'll want to check it all out and for sure give that one drop of oil in the bobbin race before you sew.  You know that spot.  You are supposed to put a drop of oil there every morning when you start sewing.  But, use your better judgement.  If your FW has been working for you quite a bit, a Spa Day does seem appropriate.

What's going on with the FW Club stuff?  Well, the Sew-in-Days are running full swing.  I'm so looking forward to the December 23 get together.  I know!  It's so close to Christmas but I'm planning on this day being for ME!  I'll need a day to just sew and relax and get a belly full of laughs with my FW besties.  Come and join in.  You'll be sew glad you did!  And, for 2024, we'll be meeting every 4th Saturday of each month.

And, the email to March FW Retreat/Workshop participants has gone out.  I've gotten replys from many.  Thank you so much.  The rosters aren't finalized yet because I'm still waiting for a few to reply.  We do have a waiting list but do email me if you'd like to be added.  Sometimes I work through the list pretty quickly.  Email to the waiting list group will go out next week.

Are you ready for Christmas?  New Year 2024?  I'm working on being ready.... I'm close!  I just want you all to know how thankful I am for all of you.  I've found my mission is life because you all have made me feel special.  I do love the FWs and want to rescue every one.  I want your machine to sound lovely and stitch a perfect stitch.  I know that most machines can get to that point.  And, I'm so proud that so many of you have gotten so comfortable with your machine, fixing what needs to be fixed and just gaining so much for doing that.  Life is good.  Let's keep learning and living to the fullest.  Happy Sewing with your Sweet little Featherweight machine.  And....

Happy Holiday to All!

I've had an OOPSIE again!

You would think that a person skilled in repairing our little FW sewing machines wouldn't be a klutz, right?  You would be wrong.  I've done it again, fell and broke a bone in my left wrist almost 3 weeks ago.

It's not so bad, really.  I'm so totally right handed that I don't need my left hand for much.  But, I do need it sometimes.  With my left wrist in a cast I can't open a bottle of water or twist off a pickle jar lid.  I do love my pickles.  I can't carry a box of machine parts.  Thank goodness I can carry a FW case with a FW in it.  I still need to do that from time to time.  I don't recommend carrying the FW by the handle but sometimes, like being in a cast, you just have to.  Be careful though.

Thank goodness I got all the FWs repaired and cleaned that were on my workbench before this happened.  I have all of those back to their owners except one.  That one gets returned at the FW Maintenance class in a few weeks.  The workbench is empty of customer machines at the moment. My machines will have to wait for awhile!

The dr says 6 to 8 weeks and I should be fine.  I'm hoping for the 6.  It's a busy season coming up.  The end of October with Halloween is really coming on fast and November might be my most busy month of the year for me.  I have 2 FW Club classes, 3 FW maintenance classes, and a presentation to do for a quilt guild in Ohio.  Yup, busy month. And, let's not forget about Turkey Day and, the day Santa comes to town!  2024 will burst in with a blast and we'll hop onto the 2024 whirlwind for future fun things just like we do every year about this time.

Is your FW all cleaned up and ready to finish up all those Christmas gifts you decided to make back in the spring? I've decided to stop planning Christmas projects.  It just adds to my stress and I'm stressed enough.  It's a good thing I didn't do that this year, right?

One thing I wanted to tell you about is checking your motor belt on your FW.  This one has a kink in it from sitting so long in a closet, the basement or maybe the garage.  A kink doesn't help the motor give a smooth turn.  You might think about trying out the Super Belt if you haven't done so already.  Send me an email about them.  I can chat all day about the advantages to putting a Super Belt on your FW.  So, if you need to clean up your machine, think about coming to a maintenance class or maybe a Sew-In day. We can talk about what you'll need to do.  I won't be able to come to the October meeting but I plan on being at the one in December.  Because we are having the last FW Club meeting in November, we won't be having a Sew-In day that month.

The Final FW Club class will be November 3rd or 5th.  I have a lot planned for us.  Go over to the Class Schedule tab and you can read about what we'll be doing.

Okay, guess I'll go see what I can accomplish with this green thing on my arm.  If you have any questions or just want to say, hi, email me or comment here.  Have a great day!

Such a pretty time of year

 I guess we will start to get some cooler weather now.  It certainly has been a bit steamy the last couple of days.  I really can't remember a time that we were still picking things in the garden after October first.  I'm not complaining.  We certainly have enjoyed the fresh veggies.

With holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, I start thinking of sewing stuff.  And, the first thing with planning to sew is to pull out a featherweight to clean up. Sometimes it's a FW that I own that  needs to be cleaned so it's ready to sell.  Sometimes it's a FW that a customer has asked me to deep clean for them.  Not everybody wants to do that dirty job.

When you open up the spool pin cover, you get a good idea of how badly a FW needs a good deep cleaning.  I was told this machine had been serviced.  I don't know who serviced it or how long ago it was done.  My work was cut out for me. Where do I begin? 

First, you have to remove all the old gunky grease.  I use a wooden toothpick and get as much as I can.  Don't use a Q-tip because you don't want to leave fuzzy fibers in your gears.  Sometimes I use a wooden skewer if there are wads of grease farther than what a toothpick will reach.

Once I get as much old grease out as  possible, it's time to squirt some kerosene on the gears and use a toothbrush or lint brush to finish getting everything clean.  Then I use a rag from an old t-shirt to wipe everything clear. Use a clean toothpick to wipe every tooth of the gear you can reach.

Of course, the gear under the machine needs the same attention.  Usually the bottom gears aren't quite as bad.  Don't run the machine until you've put a new dab of grease on those gears.  And when I say a dab, I mean a small amount about the size of a green pea.

There is still a lot to do before any machine is totally cleaned.  I thought you all might like to see the very first step to getting a FW back to the best condition possible,

If you have any questions, email me.  jdquilts123@yahoo.com

If you need to order parts, go to the featherweight shop through my link:   https://singer-featherweight.com?aff=70.

There will be 2 basic and 1 advanced maintenance classes at the Quilt Patch in November.  Check out all that information on the Class Schedule tab on the right.

And, get out and enjoy the fall colors.  Mother Nature sure does a great job turning our green world into a spectacular display.

Here we come again-- Fall, Holidays, School classes!

 When that calendar page gets turned to September, my memories turn back to all the years I taught school and new students coming into my classroom, ready for a new year of learning.  After 30+ years of doing that, you don't forget.  But, now, September just means cooler weather is coming and more fun sewing days are ahead.

The August FW Club Retreat/Workshops were a hit again this year.  Two groups on two weekends add up to lots of fun and many things getting made.  We changed things up a bit this time and had a white elephant exchange, a raffle but we still had our 'bring it and take it' activity as well.  I was able to teach tension cleaning and adjusting, bobbin assembly problems and how to adjust your belt for excellent motor speed.  Let me share a few pictures of some quilt tops that got finished during our time together.

At the earlier gathering, we were treated again with a High Tea dinner.  What fun that always is.

If you'd like to attend one of the FW Club Retreat/Workshops, send me an email. jdquilts123@yahoo.com.  I would be happy to give you information and get you on the waiting list.  Yes, the retreats are full for the coming year but I have yet to have a retreat that doesn't have some adjustments made.

Just to remind you, the FW Sew-In days are happening the 4th Saturday each month and I hope you have been able to attend.  The next one is Sept 23 at the Quilt Patch in Tecumseh, Mi.  Go to their website to sign up.

Okay, I'll try to catch up soon and get back here to give a hint or two about your FW and issues you might have.  Email me if you have questions.  Let's enjoy the pretty fall colors as they begin and hope to see you at the quilt shop on the FW Club Sew-in day.

Exciting New Changes

That's right!  You read that correctly.  There are some exciting new changes for the Featherweight Club members and I know that many of you reading this will want to know.

The traditional style of Featherweight Club monthly class is being phased out.  But the new monthly gathering for the Featherweight Club is beginning soon.  The owner of the Quilt Patch and I sat down with all the ideas from the April FW Club attendees and we've come up with Sew-in days for all of you.  Here are the details.

WHY:  This is a great opportunity for the FW Club members to meet up and sew together with their pretty featherweights on a Saturday each month.

WHERE:  The Quilt Patch in Tecumseh, Mi

WHEN:  Starting in June, 2023, the QP FW Club Sew-in days will be the 4th Saturday from 10am-3pm.  So, they will be June, 24, July 22, August 26, Sept 23, and Oct 28.  There won't be a Sew-in Saturday in November because the final traditional FW Club class will meet on either Nov 3 or Nov 5.

WHO CAN COME?:  All the members of the jdquilts123 FW Club are invited.  Of course you need to call the Quilt Patch (517-423-0057) and get on the participation list.  There's room for 30 members each Sew-in day.  FW Club members are those that have taken the basic FW maintenance class with Jean or have come to one of the FW Retreat/Workshops.   If you haven't done either of those things yet, you can come as a guest one time.  I highly suggest you sign up for a maintenance class so you can attend regularly.

WHAT TO BRING:  This is like a one day retreat so bring your machine in good working condition.  There won't be repairs made or anything like that on this Sew-in day.  Bring whatever project you want to work on.  Bring yourself a lunch for mid-day.  You've got the room for the day so bring what you need.

COST:  $10 for one day's attendance.  There isn't any obligation to attend all summer, or all fall, etc.

BONUS:  Those FW Club Sew-in Day attendees will be given a 10% discount on that day only.  It will be a great day to shop as well.

Isn't that exciting?  I know I can't attend every month but I will plan on being at as many of the Sew-in days as possible.  When I can't attend, Lorraine, the QP owner will be the leader.  I know I'm going to be wishing I could be at every Sew-in day.

Okay, there's more news, too.  I've encouraged so many of you to get things for your FW at the FW      Shop located in Kooskie, Idaho.  It's a great place.  You can find just about anything you need for your FW and they will talk you through solutions to FW issues or give you a utube to fix things.  The            Featherweight Shop has started an affiliate program for people like me that plug their products and        services.                                                                                                                                                      

There is a link that you can go to and purchase items and I will receive a small stipend for recommending the shop.  The link is,  https://singer-featherweight.com?aff=70.

Using the link does not cost you anything other than having to go there to purchase.  I'm learning about it, too.  So, if you have questions, send me an email:  www.jdquilts123@yahoo.com and I'll find out answers for you.  If you don't want to use the link, that's fine, too.  I still recommend the Featherweight Shop for all your FW needs.

One more exciting bit of news.  The Little Brown Bird quilt pictured at the top of my blog won a lovely ribbon at the Sauder Village Quilt Show in May.  The Traditional award goes to the quilt showing outstanding workmanship.  I'm a proud quilter.  Thanks for all the encouragement from my quilting friends along the way.  I'm really glad this one is done.

I encourage you to go over to the pages on the right side here.  Check out the FW Club News or the Class Schedule.  Information changes on those pages from time to time.  And, go out there and have a great sewing day, too.  We all need those!

Happy Holidays and Time for a Spa Day?

 I've been so bad about not posting again.  It seems that I have a pattern of that.  Will 2023 be better?  I just don't know.  But I did want to wish you all a very happy holiday and remind you what week this is.

Every year between Christmas and New Years, I give my featherweights a spa day.  Yup, it's that time.  People ask me all the time if I do all my machines that week and the answer is, no!  How do I decide which to do?  Well, if I haven't used a machine in 6 months, I don't do a spa for that machine until I'm ready to use it again.  If I just did a Spa day recently for some reason, you don't need to do another Spa day this soon.  So, I'm taking a machine with me while we're on a winter vacation.  I'll do that machine  when we arrive at our destination and before I sew with it.  So, there you go.  You should Spa any machine that gets regular use and hasn't been Spa-ed for 6 months.

And, after you get your machines all done, sew something with them.  I know I plan on doing that.  I'm going to start a new quilt now that Little Brown Bird is over and done with.  It took me 8 years to finish my LBB so something less stressful is really sounding good.  I'm going to start a fall quilt kit that I bought before Thanksgiving.  I usually don't buy kits but this one spoke to me.

I'm going to start a Hawaiian Sunbonnet Sue as well.  I've had the pattern since 2015 but I haven't started it yet.  I'll keep you posted on my progress. I'm going to make it a bit different than what the pattern calls for.  Don't we all do that?

So, I'm hoping all of you had a fabulous Christmas.  I hope the New Year brings all of us some great quilts to make and other projects as well.  I'm so looking forward to my small vacation before our FW Retreat/Workshops in March and our FW Club meetings in April.  As soon as I get a couple of maintenance classes set up for spring, I'll post it on the Schedule page.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR, all.  May your sewing days be many and your non sewing days sparce.  Love you all!

FW Club classes coming up this week

Are you ready?  The first FW club classes are scheduled for November 4th or 6th noon till 3pm and that's just days away.  If you haven't called the Quilt Patch to sign up, their phone number is 517-423-0053.  There are openings at the moment so give them a call.

I've posted what you need to bring over on the class schedule pages.  Check those out.  I'm so excited to see everyone and get things started up once again.

I made it back down to SE Michigan last weekend and I've been crazy busy getting the trailer unloaded and things put away.  I am so ready to sew something..... anything!  It's been a long drought since sewing for me.  First, it was company.  Then, it was time to pack things and load the trailer.  Then we got SNOW and had to cut up trees that had come down. Whew!  It feels good to be back home.

I'm ready to bind the little brown bird quilt to have it done and then, just maybe, I can start something new.  Imagine that!

Well, just wanted to remind everyone of our FW Club classes.  I look forward to seeing you all.  Have a good week and I hope to see you all soon.