I've been torturing myself all week with echo quilting, doing a little at a time because free-motion stitching is a literal pain for me. I don't have a stitch regulator, so the stitches aren't very even, and I don't have those special gloves, so I have a hard time getting a grip.
Otherwise, we hung our flag out for the Fourth and I just made a batch of American-style potato salad. We'll also have corn on the cob tonight.
And just for smiles and because I want to see it on the blog, here's a picture from a few years ago of my brother and my mom. She's still going strong at 85.
Have a colorful holiday
It may be torture, but it is looking really good. I've tried so many different things for grip but eventually have settled on those rubber finger cots secretaries used to use, one on each thumb and one on each second finger to leave the first finger free to grip thread ends more easily. Before putting them on though, I rub some Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream on my palms and fingertips (or all over your hands if you want) per a tip from Diane Gaudynski who I took classes from. That hand cream leaves your fingers slightly tacky but won't leave anything untowards on the quilt. I seem to be able to put more even pressure on those second fingers than the first ones and naturally wanted to hold up my first fingers when pressing down with the others and the thumbs. I originally used cots on all fingers and thumbs but eventually decided the extras were just getting in my way. So much freedom with just those few cots and the tacky fingers.
ReplyDeleteYour quilting looks fantastic to me. I am terrible at FMQ!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, Sherrie! One tip I learned: you can use a small snippet of rubber drawer lining (available at lots of stores that carry kitchen things) to help you grip. I see that you are being very specific about your pattern... I'm a lot looser with my FMQ, and that may be why I don't have too much trouble.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Independence Day... the potato salad sounds yummy!
It looks more organic without a stitch regulator. And I love that picture of Buster and Grandma!
ReplyDeleteYour quilting looks wonderful!!!! Seriously!!! I have SR on one of my machine but never use it...don't like it...don't like the sound/noise it makes...love my old trusty 1090 for free motion....again, nicely done!!!!
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