Learning To Swirl

This has been the most exciting and exhausting week I think I’ve had since we brought the girls home from the hospital, except now I actually get to sleep when I go to bed.  Back then we were exhausted AND we never got any sleep!!  I have slept like a log this week.  I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow!  Thursday was a day full of information and learning.  Jamie wasn’t kidding when he said it would be a big day for me!  We spent the majority of the day on tension.  How to fix tension.  What to do if tension issues arise.   It’s amazing how just changing the thread can completely change the tension!  Jamie is an amazing teacher and source of information and I was like a giant sponge taking it all in.  I had to end my day of quilting when Jamie left because I had to get back to reality.  Meaning…grocery shopping, housework, laundry…etc..

I spent Friday practicing.  My first day all on my own.  I was a little nervous knowing that Jamie wouldn’t be here with me.  I did have a few little minor issues, but I worked through them.  I stayed calm and just remembered everything Jamie taught me.  He told me these little things would happen at the beginning.  I spent much of the day drawing and quilting swirls.  I want to first master a freehand allover swirl design.  I’m not sure how I feel about pantos yet.  I’d like to be able to freehand all my allover designs.  We’ll see how it goes. 

I changed my thread to a darker thread so I could really see my stitches.  My swirls are far from perfect, but not too bad.  They are definitely starting to flow more.  Practice is key!!

Underneath the quilt.  I like to make sure my stitches look just as nice from the back too.  Perfect tension!

As you can see, I’m at the bottom of my practice quilt.  Today when I get home from working at the shop, I will be loading a new practice quilt ALL by myself.  Yikes!!

I did some other sewing Friday night as well.  Do you ever have family members or friends ask you to sew or repair items because they just assume you can because you quilt??  My little sis, Kristin just received her “white coat” for PA School, which is really monumental.  She brought it home over Christmas break, so I can sew her PA student patch on it.  No biggie, but I asked her what she would have done had she had to do it herself back at school??  Her reply…”Super Glue.”  LOL!

Scooter was very happy I was sewing it on for Kristin too!!

I got it done just in time.  Kristin and Scooter are leaving to go back to school today.  Classes start back up Monday for Kristin.  She will begin the mentoring part of the program this semester.  I’ll miss her so much.  I’ll miss my little quilting partner too.