A little update....

The quilting is getting along... very slowly! It's been a bit busy with sons flying in and out..

Little bit like the kestrels! I hadn't seen the fledglings for a wile and assumed they had flown without me noticing, but no! They are now out and about in the sunshine.. Beginning of the week, sitting a bit wobbly on a branch, today, soaring in the winds and trying to land on a branch against a stiff breeze (and failing... a delight to see the youngster hover and trying to make a landing), then soaring away on the current. A priviledge to see. They are too quick for me though, not being a photographer, I don't know how to 'snap' them quickly...

See.. he's just flying out of range at the edge of the photo (and looking at me with what I am sure is a smile on his face!) and everything is out of focus......

But back to quilting!!

I have received a comment from Evelyn about turning the machine towards you when you quilt. Thanks for that tip Evelyn! I tried it, but totally turning does not work for me as I look against the end of the machine and then cannot see what I am doing. However, turning slightly, about 90 degrees works really well. You can feed the fabric through and it bunches up less as there is more space right and left for it to go! So I am now quilting askew!

I have found that if I put the option I have on my machine to sew at half speed and then go full gas on the pedal, the speed is just about right. I am learning to get stitching more even and to have more rounded curves. Just to see (and as I realized it is going to take a very long time this way) I switched it to full speed... Man, did I get some strange shapes and stitches! It was scary! So in spite of the fact that after 4 hrs quilting I only have done 5 out of 36 squares (no, I haven't done the math to see how long it will take me for the quilt... I daren't! taking it one square at the time!), I will leave it on half motion for now...

I also have found these wonderful gloves.

They are from John Lewis (Department Store) and are gardening gloves "wet 'n dry". The fingers and inside the hand are rubberised and have these ridges for added grip. The gloves themselves are quite soft (see back of the hand) and even though you feel like the Incredible Hulk.. they grip the fabric like amazing!

Just to let you guys know I am still at it.... Just been busy washing, packing, dropping at airport, picking up, washing, repacking dropping off etc...

I will get there !!