Happy 2021. Time for a FW tip!

 

Well, it's taken me a bit to get my Happy New Year message out, hasn't it?  You'd think I'd be johnny on the spot with no classes being taught and just sewing getting done.  But, that sewing has captured my days and I have really gotten a lot done.

Do you remember those 7 vintage quilts that I was given to finish up?  I'm down to the last one to quilt and if it weren't for the wedding quilt to finish for my grandson and his new wife, I'd have that last one done, too.  The wedding quilt is on the LA now and I should have it finished by the end of the month.  The wedding is on April 10th so I will be relaxed and ready for that celebration.

Did you get all your FWs oiled, greased and lubed back at the end of December?  If not, any day would be a good time to do that.  One thing that I find is pretty important to do is to put that little drop of oil in the bobbin race before you sew each day.  And, to be honest, I forget sometimes.  Of course, the sound of my machine reminds me so I keep a bottle of the Tri-Flow handy.  

But a problem you can have when you start to sew is that the oil you add could get on your bobbin thread and transfer to your sewing project.  We can't have that!  I've come up with a method to solve that problem.

First of all, don't squirt a ton of oil on that bobbin race.  A tiny drop, a 1/2 drop if it was possible is all you really need.  Wipe out any extra with a soft cloth if you happen to use too much.  But then, I always unthread the needle and sew a bit on my cotton stitch sample before I put the bobbin back in.  Once the bobbin is in, I retread the needle and sew a line or two to be sure no oil is going to transfer to my sewing project.

I know that sounds like a lot of work but really, it's what the Singer company recommends and it does make a huge difference in the way your sweet FW responds to you.  We want to keep our FWs happy, right?

So, I've gotten my second covid vaccine and feel comfortable now to teach a few maintenace classes.  We had to cancel one in November due to the increase in cases of covid. There are 3 classes in March and one still has a few openings.  If you need a class, call the Quilt Patch (517-423-0053) to get your name on the March 6th class.  That's a Saturday.  We only have 6 people in a class and there is plenty of space between each person.  

And, if your little FW is acting up, let me know.  I have been able to work on a few machines for people that have contacted me.  You don't want to miss a single day of sewing with your little jewel.  I've gotten a few machines for sale if you are interested and I'll always looking for more machines if you know of one someone is wanting to part with.

The August retreat/workshops are nearly full.  I'll get a message out to all those signed up very soon.  It's 6 months away but I know you all are probably ready for a FW get away just like me.  I'm looking forward to those get togethers.

So, have a good sewing day.  Don't let this snow get you down.  We should start getting warmer really soon and if you're like me, you'll be wanting to get out and about again very soon.  Let's hope the worst is over, we all get our vaccines and life resumes.  Have a good one, all.

The Big Holiday is coming up

 

And, I'm about ready for it.  The tree is up, the cookies are getting baked, a batch at a time, and my shopping is done.  Well, the grocery shopping can't happen till next week, but I'm getting there.

As you all know, the holiday season is the time that I line all the girls up for their spa day.  I oil, grease and lube all the FWs between Christmas and New Year's day.  At least I try to get them all done that week.  I have quite a few at this point so it might spill over a bit.  I will be posting a few machines for sale the beginning of 2021 and people have been asking if I'd sell any attachments.  I think I'll do that, too, so if you are interested in anything, just let me know.

A few ladies have reached out to have their machines worked on for one reason or another and that's good.  Now that I'm down here in SE Mi, I can meet you and pick up your machine if there is something going on that needs me to look at it.  Every machine at the maintenance class had one issue or another.  Those machines want to run and will run even when something is wrong.  But, it's not so hard to get parts for most things and having our sweet FWs in great condition will keep them sewing well. 

It's so good to hear that the vaccines are starting.  That means that as soon as possible, we can meet up again for FW Club classes and such.  I did one maintenance class in November but the Covid numbers were climbing so fast that I had to postpone the December class until January.  I'll set a date very soon and post it here once it happens.  It was so nice to meet up with gals and their sweet machines.  But the numbers will still have to be low for awhile until this Covid pandemic is on the downward side.

Also, the retreats are filling up.  The later retreat has 5 openings as I'm typing this message but the earlier one is full.  I'll start putting people on the waiting list for that one.  Do check out the info and email me if you are interested.

So, my wish for all of you is that you are having a safe and happy holiday season.  May the new year bring us all happy times and some 'back to normal' days again.

I only have good news this time.

 You know I love good news!  Well, I have 3 good news items to tell you about.

First, I'm back from my final visit to the bone doctor and he says my arm bone has fused back together and I won't need surgery.  Well, the bone will continue to fuse for several months yet and I could need surgery in the future if something unforseen should happen.  He doesn't expect that.  I'm still doing physical therapy once a week working on strengthening and pretty much doing whatever doesn't hurt. But, I'm back at my FW, looking out over the lake and working on the youngest grandson's wedding quilt.  I'll share the picture of blocks laid out on the kitchen floor.  I need to fuss a bit with the placement but at the moment I'm working on sewing the star points together.  Thank goodness the wedding isn't until April.  That means I should have time to get this one done.

Okay, good news item number two.....  I stopped in at the Quilt Patch while I was downstate and we have set a date for a maintenance class.  There can only be 6 students in a class so if you've been waiting for this class, you'll need to call the Quilt Patch (517-423-0053) and get your name on the list.  The class will be Saturday, November 21.  When that class fills, a waiting list will be started and another class will be planned.

Due to the large number of Club students we will still have to wait for a covid solution to start those classes again.  I'll keep you posted. 

The third good news item is coming from Kathy Seals at the Quilt Patch.  She's come across these cute featherweight socks in white or black and is going to offer them at the store.  The price will be $12.95.  Okay, giving the person in your life a hint that you'd like a couple pair of these might be a good thing.  Christmas isn't that far off, afterall.  I need both colors.  How about you?

We're starting to see the fall colors here in the UP and you know what that means.  We'll be heading back to lower Michigan in less than a month.  Due to the broken arm, it kinda feels like I didn't have a summer.  At least several of this year's projects will get moved to next summer.  But,  I will try to do a better job of posting on the blog now that I can actually lift my hand to the computer keys to type and do contact me if you have any FW questions or need some cleaning or repair on your machine.  Have a good end to September.  Hope you hear from you all soon.

I'm making progress---slowly

 It's been a slow process, this bone healing thing.  You really want to be careful and not break a bone.  It sure knocks the heck out of your summer.  And, it makes it hard to post messages on the internet, too.  I am healing though.  It just takes a lot of time and patience and I've never been very good at the patience thing.

I go back to the dr again in September to see how I'm progressing.  I can't drive, or lift anything.  Sewing is hard to do and physical therapy isn't a piece of cake either.  I think of all of you often, get a message or two from time to time and am so thankful you all are out there keeping things together until I can get to some sort of new normal.

It's been a beautiful, warm summer here in the north woods. Of course the weeds in the garden and around the fire pit are flurishing. I don't think I'll be able to get to any of that this year.  I have been able to start tying my shoes and getting dressed by myself.  That's a good thing.  And, best of all, I've started to sew at the machine again.  At first I couldn't do it at all.  But, with the physical therapy, I'm able to cut with my rotary cutter and  sew a bit at a time.

This summer was supposed to be the time I put together my last grandson's wedding quilt.  The wedding is next April so I figured I'd get the top made this summer and then quilt it over the winter.  I started it a week ago so there's a lot to do yet.  I'm thinking I might be able to still get the top done if I can keep working on it.  Does anyone recognize the pattern?  I got it at one of our retreats.  It was in the drawing pile.  I couldn't believe it was still there when my name got drawn.   Thank you, whoever brought it.  It's perfect for the newlyweds. I'll post more as I get more done.  I've put together 32 of the 128 blocks so I'm making progress.

Before I broke my arm I was able to get the main body of my applique quilt put together.  Okay, this is a quilt that I've been working on for forever.  I still have the borders to finish and there's a lot of applique on those, too.  But, I thought you might like to see the middle.  This was an acomplishment, believe me.

Did all of you get your FWs oiled and greased back in June?  I got my one machine that I use all the time finished.  The others are still sitting around wondering when it is their turn.  I'll get to them soon.  I brought 4 machines with me and I haven't had a chance to work on any of them.  I'm hoping that time will come soon.

I do hope everyone is doing okay, keeping safe and covid free.   I don't know how all of the covid thing will affect our classes and such.  At this point, nothing is planned and we just have to wait.  My husband is doing well.  His cancer is under control but I still have to stay isolated and not bring anything bad to him.  Having an auto immune disease puts keeping safe on a new level.  I will put information in the blog as news starts to change and classes begin being planned.  Until then, we'll just have to be patient.  Like I said, I'm not so good at that.

So, keep in touch.  I hope you are able to get lots of sewing done and your sweet FWs are working well for you.  Let me know if you have any questions or want to chat FW.

Good news and Bad news

Hello, everyone.  Our sweet featherweights don't know that a covid pandemic is going on so they expect to get their spa days on schedule.  And my schedule says, it's time for our 6-month FW spa day. So, pull out your notes and give those beauties the oil, grease, and motor lube that they deserve.  And while you're at it, check your needle and change it if needed.  Wipe down the surface with the soft cloth you store with your oil and stand back to enjoy your beautiful FW.  It always puts a smile on my face when I get that job done.

Unfortunately, the August retreats have been cancelled this year.  I'm so thankful that the participants let me know their concerns and I've already started taking names for the August 2021 retreats.  Let's hope that the covid issues are under control at that point so we can get together again for a fun weekend of FW comradery.

Now for the really bad news.  On June 12, I took a tumble and broke my left arm.  The bone dr here in the UP said surgery so I went to Ann Arbor for a second opinion.  I just got back home yesterday and I'm not having surgery at this point.  I am out of commission for awhile though.  It sure has put a crimp in my summer.  I'm very thankful that I didn't break a leg, my hip, or my back.  It was a hard fall but God is good.

So, I'm still around.  Send me any questions and I'll always try to help you out.  Take care.  Stay safe and stay strong.

Did you know?

Hello, friends.  The summer feels like it's arrived.  In fact, I think it's hotter up here in the UP than it is downstate.  That's unusual.

Did you know that there are things going on other than the pandemic and other horrible things?  Well for one good thing, Annette G has been working very hard to get all the FW Retreat/Workshop recipes collected, typed into an easy to read format and sent to me for distribution.  I can send all the recipes as an attachment in an email.  So, if you let me know you want it, I'll send it.  We are planning on printing off one copy to give to Kathy Seals, the Quilt Patch owner as a gift in the fall when we hopefully return to classes and such.  Thank you, Annette G., and thank you to every person that took the time to write down their recipe to be included.

I just sent an email to all the ladies that have signed up for the August 2020 retreat.  The final decision about whether to continue with retreat plans or to cancel will be done no later than June 11.  Contact me if you didn't get your email message.  You are the ones that these retreats are planned for so get back to me ASAP to help me make that final decision.

I know many have been waiting to get the report on my hubby's cancer prognosis.  Well, it's a good one.  We learned last week that the cancer is under control.  He won't have to go through chemo and he'll probably be good for a couple of years.  When this cancer returns, they'll have him go through the treatments once again.

So, I miss you all.  I get a few emails from time to time but I haven't gotten any serious FW questions lately.  I hope you are all feeling good about taking care of your sweet machines so you don't need me any more.  Our twice a year spa treatments are coming up soon.  I'll send a reminder when it's closer.

I hope you're dealing with isolation okay.  We're doing well.  Hope to hear from you soon.