Tuesday’s Trivialities

 

I’ve complained about my experience with Gutermann handquilting thread and with Moda backing fabric, but I certainly don’t want you all to think that I’m just a complainer … so I’m going to share a couple of good experiences. 

 

Several of the quilters who frequent the Celebrate Handquilting Facebook Page shared their love for YLI 40/3 handquilting thread.  I picked up a large spool while at Paducah in April, thinking I’d give it a try on DD’s chevron quilt … and I absolutely LOVE it!  No tangling, no knotting, minimal twisting, no fraying, no breaking … and I’m notorious at using longer pieces of thread than I ought to.  The only drawbacks are that no LQS around here carry it (I buy it from Red Rock Threads … awesome service!) and that it doesn’t come in quite as many colors as I would like.  I’m sold and will be using YLI handquilting thread from here on out.

 

I cannot remember where I read the tip about using long-arm clips to corral the excess quilt when handquilting, but I did a little online shopping and found Jaws quilt clips that work fabulously. 

They’re really “earning their pay” on this chevron quilt … it’s 99.5”x99.5” and that means that there would be a lot of quilt bunched up in my lap as well as on my legs … the clips keep all that excess fabric from “tangling” together and under control, and with the return of 90+ degree weather, they help keep me a little cooler while quilting.

 

As you can see above, I’m making progress … I’ve stitched 50 of the 5.5” squares … there are a total of 256, so I’m 20% done with the squares.  I’ve spent 3 days quilting … probably 5-6 hours/day, but with the usual interruptions (lunch, phone calls, checking emails, doing laundry and working in the garden, etc.), so I’m making pretty good time, I think.  If I’m able to keep up this pace, I should be able to get this quilt finished and on DD’s bed before we leave for Hilton Head in September. 

 

Speaking of my frustrations with Moda, I did follow up on their initial response … the online shop increased the store credit, but Moda’s response was not what I was hoping for.  While at retreat I received an email from the Moda rep, asking for a phone conversation.  She gave me the number for her direct line, asking me to call at my convenience.  I plan to call her today … and will report if anything comes from this.

 

It’s official … our zucchini has “bitten the dust”.  What a disappointment, especially since this was our “last hurrah” with zucchini.  We had the same thing happen last year, as did our neighbor.  I was hoping that with our garden being in raised beds in the backyard this year, we’d be able to successfully grow zucchini.    Thankfully our tomatoes are doing well … DH has picked several of his yellow tomatoes (less acidic which means he tolerates them better … he has GERD), and several of our red tomatoes are ripening.  We have also picked some green beans … not quite enough to make two servings yet, but we’re hopeful that today’s pickings will allow us to have green beans with dinner tonight.  We pulled our onions, and they’re drying in the basement.  I see some One Pot Wonder in our future – featuring tomatoes, onions and basil from our garden! 

 

Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!

Kathy