Granddaughter Polly Swann (6ft 1") just returned from GB camp in Portugal training with the team for the Olympics . . .

It's thrilling to know my grand-daughter Polly Swann -  a member of the GB Team - is training for the Olympics at Henley on Thames  hoping  to win a place in the boat. Competition is fierce amongst the girls and they are all looking for GOLD!! Polly is 4th from the left in the pink wellies photo and you can see her in the boats if you look carefully. Polly is a medical student in her 4th year at Edinburgh University - but given a sabbatical in order to train for the big race . . .

Might make a bed quilt once I'm proficient. . .

Patsy Thompson very kindly sent me some lovely fabrics - sateen - which I have been saving until I am really proficient in feather quilting and trapunto . .  meanwhile calico will have to do until then. Patsy has been burgled. Her car was broken into and machines, quilts - samples stolen. Heartbreaking.

Mindless Feathers every which way . . . .

No rhyme or reason - just quilted and quilted and quilted . . . to get hang of machine . . . on large piece of calico.

Getting the Hang of it . . .

Almost tore my hair out at first . . see hair - but improving . . .

Taming The Beast!

After much faffing and messing about with various threads -  needles - tension - finally doing a Heath Robinson on the pedal with a piece of firewood and sellotape - I have managed to Tame The Beast which now does as it's told. I disconnected the red thread cutting button (unnecessary in my opinion) - as it's easy enough to cut the threads using the scissor  button on the machine.

My 1015 Bernina blew up. No alternative but to Tame The Beast!

In the middle of some practice quilting when my trusty 1015 mechanical Bernina blew up sending clouds of acrid white smoke into the air. Couldn't believe it. This machine has machine quilted through thick and thin. Devastated. Have loads of quilt tops waiting to be finished so..............no alternative but to resurrect The Beast!

No Longer For Sale . . .

RICKY TIMS TICKET for sale

A Day with wonderful Ricky Tims. Ticket FOR SALE!

Last Saturday (7th) I  bought a ticket for "A Day with Ricky Tims" on 4th April at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham, from Philomena Langford at Patchwork Parade. Costs £37 plus £3 postage (must be a heavy ticket as it only costs $3 for small package sent from Australia!)

As I am in no fit state to drive from home in the northwest to Oldham I attempted to book train journey only to discover Oldham no longer has a station.

Reluctantly (cos I would love to see Ricky) contacted Philomena for refund (under the circumstances) but as she is unable to do so suggests I travel by train to Manchester and then change to a no.59 bus which involves a further hour's journey to Oldham. Not happy about this. In my present condition it's impossible.  Any suggestions?

I wonder if anyone out there would like to spend a day with Ricky and purchase my ticket?

Not sure the best way to do it but if you telephone Philomena at 0161 633 5900  I'm sure she will be able to help you.  I haven't received the ticket as yet.

Warning: If you do go online to Patchwork Parade please read through the blurb carefully because it does state that tickets are not refundable or returnable unless the event is cancelled.
Silly me. In my enthusiasm and excitement I missed this. 

Ricky Tims - and a robin for Christmas!

Was given this little knitted robin for Christmas - didn't know what to say . . . overwhelmed!

Also given a wonderful "Grand Finale" DVD by Ricky Tims. I suggest you buy it. He is a brilliant teacher - gives clear instructions and is a mine of information. As I have lots of unquilted tops waiting . . . . . . . waiting . . . . . will certainly use some of his techniques - especially the way he binds his quilts. Beautiful.

This is the best Christmas present ever and I have sat and watched it 3 times already.

Relaxing with cups of tea and warm mince pies. Bliss!

Off to my brother's house to celebrate the New Year, but I shall drive back afterwards. I never was one for alcohol but stopped drinking completely after seeing how it affected Stephen.

Feel all the better for it.

Happy New Year to you all!!

Jan . . woke me up ..with a reminder of past glories!

Generous Jan (Jans Musing) has finally finished her beautiful version of Pop Patchwork magazine Singing Garden quilt and given me a mention as original designer, for which I thank her.

The finished quilt has not previously been seen on-line - only in it's bare state to meet the magazine deadline. No quilting or binding. So here it is - complete and finally on a bed.

I do like Jan's lovely version and her use of a restricted colour palette.

I was given a brief (and fabrics) to present a different and colourful block each month for a year.

Made Autumn and Winter versions too - which I prefer - but they are waiting to be quilted . .

alongside another 6 waiting in the wings . . . . !!

Happy Christmas to you All!

SIGNING OFF FOR A WHILE . .

Sorry ladies, but have not been feeling good today. Back has been giving me lots of pain. Shuffling about - unable to sit at sewing machine or computer for any length of time. Posting the Juki info took ages and didn't help. Just hope you gals found the content useful.

Not for the faint-hearted - JUKI 98P

This is not a machine for the faint-hearted! One has to persevere. It is quite different to using a bog standard sewing machine. Read on . . .

First attempt . . and helpers (see blog list)

Was ready to chuck the machine out of the window . . . could not prevent the pedal running away with me. OK for a tippy toed - light footed fairy, but pedal too responsive to my size 6 (UK) foot. Tensions all wrong.

Didn't have this problem with my old Bernina.

BUT - the Juki has a large 'harp' which makes it a doddle to work on a bed-size quilt.

Offered the machine up for sale.

Only Angie Whiston from Staffs (www.angiequilts.blogspot.com) - and Maureen Lamb (www.quiltworks.co.uk) from Cumbria - saved the machine by encouraging me to persevere and offered some very helpful tips.

Left the machine for a few days before trying again.

Another useful source:

Leah Day (www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com)

Not forgetting the amazing Patsy Thompson (www.patsythompsondesigns.com)

Second attempt . .

Foot pedal adjustment

Found this a bit tricky - ended up using 2 telephone directories to ease pressure off foot.

This is one speedy machine and can run away with you. Using the directories enabled me to slow the machine down.

There is a thread cutter on the pedal (red bit) which I disconnected. Idea sounds wonderful but I found it easer to use the scissor button on the body of the machine - less liable to to cut threads by hitting the red button by mistake. Fine for a very experienced professional machinist - which I am not.

Brilliant - cuts top and bottom thread - saves a lot of messing . .

Upper tension knob

Adjusted Presser foot tension

Adjusted top tension

Adjusted tension in bobbin . .

Ready steady . . .OFF . .

Schmetz needles seem to work best . .