Yes, I know that I am the luckiest woman alive! I have an awesome husband, perfect home, loving family, and adorable puppy. Just when you think life can't possibly get any better, I have the opportunity to attend a 3 day class with Diane Gaudynski at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky.
And not just any class but the first session of a new class titled "The Adventure Continues". 2 1/2 years ago I took Diane's 3 day Machine Quilting class. The Adventure Continues was designed as a follow-up to the original class. For me this was perfect because Diane's first class totally changed my quilts - from how I design them to how I bind them. And, of course, the more quilts I made, the more I learned - and the more questions I had! So, I arrived the first day clutching my list of questions in one hand, a royal blue whole cloth project in the other hand, my soul hungry, and one big empty suitcase (after all this is the site of my mothership -Hancock's of Paducah).
Since I was flying from Miami to Nashville and then driving to Paducah, I decided to rent a machine to lighten my luggage (and make room for my purchases)
To my surprise, the Bernina dealer in town retired and the museum supplied me with a top of the line Janome. Fortunately, I arrived the afternoon before class and was able to pick up and lug the manual back to the hotel room. My goal was to learn how to turn the machine on, thread it, and wind a bobbin. I am just not a READ THE MANUAL type of gal. As evidence I present a photo of my first attempt to wind the bobbin.
After a bit, I was able to get comfortable with the loaner machine and was able to make progress on my blue whole cloth project. In the three days I was able to complete all the pictorial elements and begin the TAMING OF THE PUFF. Of course, the design elements only really pop when the background quilting is complete and I just barely started the background. Hopefully, the design is prominent enough in these IN PROGRESS photos. The design began as a commercial stencil. But I quickly decided my feathers were more elegant and took the time to redrew portions of the design. Then when I started sewing I managed to not sew on ANY of the marked lines - my new personal record!
I hope you enjoy the photos! Now that Jim and I are settling into the house I hope to have more time to stitch and share on the blog.
Until next time - Happy Stitching!
Mercy
AKA - The Savage Quilter
