Stitching the pieces together

When you don't breathe, not only do you get lousy work, but you tense up your shoulders. When you tense up, you get sore and blame the sewing!! I used to tell my students "Don't blame the car, blame the driver!" I used to sew in my store sometimes 8-10 hours a day and didn't get sore!! I would be talking to my staff or customers and that helped me breathe while I worked.

Try it. You'll like it!!

Also, here's another biggy. Have your machine right up to the edge of the table in front of you. If you have it too far back, you have to reach and hold your arms out. That will cause aches and pains too!

Also, make sure that your chair is at the right height to keep you from stretching your arms up higher, it will help keep the neck muscles relaxed. I learned that sewing in the furniture factory (8-10 hours a day on production). It seems funny but I had my chair rather high compared to my overall height and where the other ladies had their chairs set up, but it helped me keep my forearms at a 45 degree angle and my shoulders relaxed. Here at home, I have an adjustable height table since I use a kitchen chair so I keep the table lower than normal height to keep my shoulders relaxed. I even take the table to my quilt guild when we have any sew days since the tables in the room are too high.

Ginger, I am just the opposite of you, I stand tall at 4 ft 10 in. Most of the other women in the factory had their chairs practically on the floor. I even noticed it when I was working in the office on the computer I needed my chair high and I also had one of the foot rests to keep my feet from dangling. I have to have my chair high or my table lower than most when sewing but I can't cut on regular height tables. I still need my table slightly higher because of bending over too much hurts my back. I found to raise the tables to the right cutting height, I use the plastic bed risers under the legs. They are easy enough to put in or take out with a little help from a friend.

I live in an older house that my neighbor helped with part of the construction, the counter is not the standard height, it is actually a couple of inches shorter, but I am not complaining even though my husband doesn't like the height, he is 6' 3".

Sheila 

After those wonderful countertops at our last house we have the lowest counters in our bathroom that I have ever experienced in the US.  I sit on the edge of the tub deck to brush my teeth because the counter is so low. This house was built in the late 80's and has 4" square white tile for all of the counters. No fun to keep the grout clean in these. 

Ginger

Just wanted some of your thoughts on this baby blanket.  I think that the D9 just needs to have its own area.  I was thinking about doing a 2" border around each D9.  It will be in shade of pink that is in the D9.  Followed by a 3" white border, followed by a 2" border in black, and finally by a hot pink border as well.  What do you all think about the D9 having a pink border around each one.  Is that a bit much or what.  I just think the blocks need broke up abit they seem to run together too much. 

WOW!! Looks like a cake...good enough to EAT!!

Went to a quilt show yesterday in Monroe WA, 500 quilts. It was really nice. My DD and DGD went too and we had a good time. I saw a display of featherlights, different colors too. I wonder why they are so popular and valuable. They look cute, yes, but does anyone understand the draw? I feel like I should know but I don't.

Thanks Ginger

It is a featherlight sewing machine. I had never seen one in person before. I can tell you their paint jobs were really nice. I just don't understand their purpose. Very cute and little  though.

Yes, the brochure said 500 quilts but I don't see how it could be that many. I will have to check further. DD has the programs at her house. There were a good number of little quilts. It was held in a really large building. 

GInger

My sister collects them and has a rare tan coloured one. I don't see the appeal!!

Thanks for the info. The Featherweights  weren't part of the quilt show but were a vendor at the show. There were many differnt colors, the red caught my eye. They almost looked like a cute beginner machine. The prices seemed to be $600. up to $1100. that I saw. The booth was just humming with activity. It was a inside corner location which tells me it was one of the more expensive vendor locations. I wonder if some people are piecing on feather weights?

 The show was good enough that DD went back yesterday with her DH to take photos.

Laters Ginger

Hi ladies,

I haven't joined your forum before, but thought I would. I love to quilt, sew (designer clothing which I occasionally sell), knit and most other needlework including traditional rug hooking done with strips of recycled clothing or hand dyed wool.



Meecee, I've never seen that book/binder before but boy did you get a good deal. I did pick up a free quilt pattern on-line today from Mccalls Quilting called Teaberry Stars. Quite cute, and simple.