Making Do

And it's working out

The Main Man and I are keeping an eye on the Arkansas grandkids while their parents are celebrating a belated anniversary in New York City.

Now in their teens (or nearly) AA and CG spend a lot of time with their electronic gadgets so we weren't sure how much of our attention they would require -- not much, as it turns out; therefore, we've been looking for ways to occupy our time when we're not playing tabletop games with the kids.

I had intended to bring a couple quilts that need the binding turned, but somehow they didn't make it into the van.  I did, however, still have my Featherweight in the back of the van, along with a couple of projects that were not unpacked after the last retreat. I decided to pull out Star Gazing, most of which had been cut at the Nuts and Bolts retreat.

Star Gazing block
Design by Margot Languedoc Designs
for The Pattern Basket

The high-top kitchen table is a perfect cutting height, and I set up a makeshift pressing station on the kitchen counter.

 

First I had to familiarize myself with the Featherweight because I have not used it since my friend Nancy did a thorough cleaning for my birthday last year. Threading was a challenge, but muscle memory kicked in and I got that done. Next I had to guess which way the bobbin goes in the case (the manual was not with the machine) and I got that right!  It stitches like a dream.

Now, what to do about the quarter inch? I couldn't get any of the guides in the machine case to work -- screws in the way, screws too long, screws too short, etc. So I decided to search for masking tape (I promise, Nancy, it will come off as soon as I'm through with this project!).

Of course I didn't have a tool box with me, so how could I measure where to put it? I borrowed a knitter's gauge from DIL's stash!

What I discovered is the foot on the machine is pretty much spot on. Jubilation, I could sew! In two days I've gotten all the units made and the blocks partially assembled -- just need to press and stitch the last two seams in the 9-patch construction.

The background is Moda Scrumptious. It reminds me of sweet little girl dresses. I pulled large remnants from my stash in shades of red, pink, and teal to make the stars.

Teals

Reds and Pinks

I'm linking up with Angela's Scrappy Saturday, even though the fabrics don't meet the March RSC colors. I AM using scraps, albeit large ones .....

Also linking with Cynthia for Oh Scrap!