Sunday, September 14, 2014

Tricks Up My Sleeve and Background Music




Background filler seems like such a chore to me. It's not the really exciting looking stitching for me, but I realize it carries and highlights the icons here. It calms the blank space, and makes your focal points pop. I view it as background music. You know how silence can be uncomfortable, but put on a little low music and you notice the surroundings more. More here, though, I think it's because I'm struggling with the bulky size and a small machine throat--under 7" from needle to inside of machine. I'm a little sore from my arm to my leg actually. I promised I'd share some of my tricks I'd figured out mid-way. Honestly, some of you out there are probably doing this already, but it was an idea I woke up with.


Solving problems is fun. I imagine most whom sew think this. There are so many little, complicated things involved, that to some degree, you figure stuff out yourself. So, my sewing machine dilemma. I woke up from a deep sleep to take the doxies out one night, and realized that I didn't need to move the quilt. I could also move ME, and I could move the machine itself. In theory, it made sense. Well, in practice, IT WORKS! Let me show you.


I quickly rethought my set-up with the machine sitting horizontally on my table. (Remember, I have the messy piles of books supporting my platform around my machine, and a taped-on silicone oven mat for a slippery surface. And, everything has to be moved to replace my bobbin thread, which opens from the front of the machine.) The machine just sits on top of the table, and I can easily grab the whole kit-and-caboodle and turn it to the side like this.






It sure is easier than turning the Quilt Monster, and the letters come out so much better when they're worked as if you were writing them.

I can also work from the backside if I turn it again.

I know you're thinking this is insane because you can't see the front of the machine and your controls. But, you really don't need to while your're moving along. Needle up and needle down button is the first one closest to the edge, and you get used to feeling for that with your finger. Or, use a dot of low temperature hot glue that will peel off when you're done. 




I'll keep quilting, and hope you will, too.

Come on, Doxie girls.

Let's go sew.



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