In the midst of weighty and momentous world events which are always somewhere on my mind.... my own little domestic world is starting to normalize and hum along. I have more or less set up my sewing room, but most of my stuff is still in Japan. I have two machines here - my Grandma's old Bernina 830 Record, and my giant Bernina 740.
My cousin and her wife are having a baby girl soon and it's been fun to work on a simple baby quilt on the 830 Record. Using that machine always makes me feel connected to my Grandma Mary Lou. First things first, a nice cleaning and oiling.
These old machines are so beautiful.
I thought I'd do four patches alternating with this teal Kaffe Fassett shot cotton (SO soft), but once I started laying the four patches out....
My goal is a "not too sweet" baby quilt, and I also found after laying these blocks out, that I wanted to tone down the teal... and so decided to make more four patches and just set them side by side.
I'm pleased with it although the fact that I started out with four patches sort of limited my placement choices.
And on to the simple machine quilting, just a relaxed grid with the walking foot. I will show the finished quilt once I've bound it!
David visited last week from Japan and it was wonderful to have him here. Now, all the kids, and David, have been to the townhouse and so it officially feels like home now. He unpacked the last of the boxes and set up his home office downstairs.
Some of the boxes held surprises.... like I'd forgotten that we had a waffle maker, lol. We hung some things on the walls, and saw family and friends in the area.
We got roadside barbeque.... and I have no idea what "pig pickin' cake" is... but homemade banana pudding is standard here and so yummy (my Mom was from West Virginia and made it all the time when I was a little kid).
And we tried "Cheerwine" - a Southern thing - which turns out to be cherry soda!
Now David is back in Tokyo. He has been triple vaxxed and would not have been required to quarantine, but after 24 hours at home, he got word that someone seated near him on the plane had tested positive upon arrival in Tokyo... and so he does need to quarantine in the apartment after all, for 7 days and possibly 14. Travel continues to be so daunting! He has 35 days left in Tokyo - yes we are both counting the days!
Meanwhile here in NC a few days ago I helped my brother (also named David) repair his sailboat sail, in several places, with a wide zig zag stitch and using the strongest thread I've ever encountered.
David folding the sail and identifying exactly what needed repairing or reinforcing. It stretched the entire length of the room, from dining area, past the kitchen and stairs, and into the living room area!
As I sewed, oh so slowly, my brother and Janette ensured that no part of the sail got hung up. I need to do more research and investigate needles because I broke two in the process and the machine had a hard time over the bulky seams. Did you know that there are sewing machines made specifically for sails?? My brother is considering buying a "Sailrite" machine.
In any case the whole process was an interesting challenge. Now I'm getting ready for a weekend visit from my niece and her boyfriend. It is such a pleasure to live within driving distance of extended family!
xo
Cynthia
Sounds like life is good. What a blessing to have your family nearby. Fixing a sail is likely something I’ll never have to do 😊!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you!!! All sounds so good, just like we want it to!! xo
ReplyDeleteWOW that sail sewing must have felt like the heaviest fabric you've ever sewn on!! Loving that baby quilt--great with the teal...Hugs for a great weekend Julierose
ReplyDeleteYou sound quite settled now, and it's so good that the countdown until David arrives home is down to days. You've achieved a great balance of color with the teal borders, simple 4-patch quilts are so satisfying to work on. Thankful I've never had to sew on a sail!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are settling in well, and I am very happy for you that David got to come for a visit! That sewing space must seem massive after sewing in your little Tokyo apartment.
ReplyDeleteI like your baby quilt. For my last grandchild my daughter said, "I don't want the baby quilts to look like baby quilts." So she got one in Civil War repros and one in batiks. She loved them. Not everyone wants "sweet" baby quilts.
Repairing a sail sounds like a challenge. That must have been a workout for your machine!
Oh, keep counting down those days. He'll be back for good so soon!
So lovely to be making a new home here! And a baby quilt. Yours hits the right note--I always want sweet, bunnies, duckies, pastels.[no, no, I know!].
ReplyDeleteThe sail repair brought back memories, my dad wanting me to repair/ decorate [monogram signal flags] on our very small boat's sail. The boat was small but the sails are huge, bulky and heavy. My poor little portable Singer of that time really struggled. [we also made canvas boat covers, boat totes, and naugahyde seat covers at various times. Sure could have used a heavy duty machine back then.
Oh I looked p Pig Cake for us--it sounds very retro, but might make a lovely cake at Easter, all golden yellow and fluffy white like daffodils. https://www.thecountrycook.net/pig-pickin-cake/
ReplyDeleteYou manage to have unique experiences where ever you go. Who would think you'd be repairing sails? I'm glad your husband was able to come. How did he like the condo? You look so content at your machine. It's always my favorite place to be.
ReplyDeleteYou have really begun to settle in. I'm glad your husband was able to come and get his office settled. How long will it take for your things to arrive back from Japan? You win the prize for sewing and mending a sail! The baby quilt will be a hit, super cute and cheerful.
ReplyDeletesweet baby quilt and just the right size too.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear you had visitors - especially your husband. I'm sure it feels more like home everyday.
My husband worked at a sail loft and sewing sails years ago in Chicago. I applaud you for doing on a home machine. I would maybe try a leather machine needle if you are called on again.
So glad you are settling in and getting some sewing done. Cute, cute baby quilt! Kudos to you for tackling that huge sail repair project :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear you are starting to find the rhythms of "home"! Teal sounds perfect for a baby quilt, and I'm sure it will be used and loved. Like you, I love the old machines. I've never had a vintage Bernina, but since I love my modern one, I might have to keep an eye out for a vintage gal! I've heard that some of the old Singer sewing machines (especially the hand-cranked versions) are in demand among sailing folks, as they can sew through almost anything!
ReplyDeleteWow what a daunting project (the sail). Good thing it was only needles that broke. Your baby quilt is adorable!
ReplyDeleteYour baby quilt is so pretty, and so much fun to use the older Bernina. There are so many of those machines still around, it's a testament to how well build they were. I still have my oldie, and I'd have a really hard time parting with it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a busy post, you've really experiences the expremes of the sewing spectrum!
*hugs*
Tazzie
What a fun baby quilt. The colors and fabrics will certainly delight that new babe.
ReplyDeleteIt's good you're getting settled into your new home. Your sewing room looks spare now but, as you say, much of your sewing stuff is still in Japan. Soon it'll be with you.
I'm so sorry for David's quarantine. Ugh!
That sail looks daunting to sew -- so large and such sturdy fabric. My sewing machine is an old black Singer 201. I know if I put a leather needle on it goes through leather and sturdy fabrics more easily than any other needle. Perhaps that will work in your machine if you have to repair a sail again?
I hope you had a good weekend with your niece and also have a good weekend this weekend.