Return of the Viking – and a Baby Quilt

Viking Has Returned!

At last, the machine is back. I really did sew a hole in the old bobbin case. They also found some red metallic thread wound around a shaft. But it’s clean and working smoothly again.
The charity project for the fall at Rochester Modern Quilt Guild is for every member to make a baby quilt. Here’s what I have so far on the design wall.

2015 Purple Square Baby Quilt

What to Do Without a Sewing Machine

After the GVQC quilt show, I sent out my faithful Viking Sapphire for a thorough cleaning. The place just isn’t the same:

Zoe Wondering Where the Sewing Machine Went

Just my Sew Steady and cat. But it’s only for a week, they said. Well, somehow I had managed to pierce the plastic bobbin case with a needle (I suppose), which is causing uneven stitches. And here I thought it was my technique! While we wait for the new part, I gave myself a tutorial on hand piecing:

Practicing Hand Piecing

Shorter needles, like betweens, do help you make smaller stitches, and you can see that you’re matching seams when working by hand.
My daughter’s cat Jake couldn’t care less, as long as he’s comfy.

Jake in the Quilt Basket

I think the cats are taking over my studio; I definitely need my sewing machine back.