Friday, December 3, 2010

I'm getting back into it.

From the mailbox, I recieved this gorgeous Phillip Jacobs fabric which is going on the back of the Stars and Sprigs quilt. I also got some Kimono silk thread ( #100 weight) to try and thought I might as well get the colour cards while I was at it. I order things online and spend way too long looking around at what else could go in the parcel to make the postage worthwhile. I bet I'm not the only one who does that.
I've been meaning to make myself a firm pressing board for ages and went shopping at the hardware store to get myself a staple gun to do the job. I not only came out with the gun, I got some laser levels that will help me square up my quilts. I've been watching Sharon Schamber's videos online and now I want/need all this stuff you know. The video for making the board is free here on this page. Maybe now my patchwork won't distort on the ironing board. I live in hope. If I keep going, I may just need a tool belt.
There's no frantic sewing going on but I've been playing around with the machine quilting and had to have a go at this bug by Irena Bluhm. Who knows when I may need a bug on a quilt.
I've been doodling and drawing out some ideas for machine stitching with this eight pointed star and liked it enough to roughly stitch it out to see how it would translate to fabric.
I like some of it but not the feathers in the center, I think it looks too thready for me, I'll put the thinking cap back on. Thinking up ideas for hand quilting is easy for me, not this though. Practice and experience needed here. I did try out a cream and a pink thread as well as a couple of different stipples.
I think I should leave the points of the star unquilted and not flatten them down.
I was concentrating so much on the stitches that I didn't pay attention to where the fingers were. The needle broke in my finger and left the thread inside. It didn't hurt much but the thread was also still attached to the machine and the scissors fell on the floor. What to do, what to do, I tried to pull the needle out but it was stuck. I eventually extricated myself and decide I was too chicken to pull the needle out. I went to the doctor and let her do the honours. The worst part was that I ended up with a tetanus and whooping cough vaccination at the same time.
Only a blogger would get the camera out at a time like this. I'm going to do some hand stitching now.

83 comments:

Toni said...

ouch I can barely look at that photo, I got my finger caught in the needle a couple of weeks back, but nothing as glorious as yours, jeepers

Kate said...

Ouch - did the same thing earlier this year - went through from the top through the bottom - quite embarrasing going up to the hospital.

Chookyblue...... said...

OUCH I can't even look..........OUCH........

liz said...

Congratulations on all your machine quilting. Are you going to machine quilt "Stars and Sprigs"? Unfortunately, all I can think of is your finger. Ouch! Poor thing. I hope you're feeling OK.

Sue said...

Yikes! Yes only a blogger.........

Julia said...

Oh...ouch Janet, that must have hurt..
The quilting is lovely though...sorry it cost you a sore finger!
take care of it.
Julia ♥

ria vogelzang said...

Oooooh, pour your! I almost cann't believe that didn't hurt so much......
Hope it's feeling better now.......

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Ouch, that made me cringe!
I also waste time looking for extra items to make postage seem more reasonable, often I give up and don't buy anything!

Vicki ♥ said...

Love your quilting designs and ouch to your finger. It looks very painful and I hope it heals real quick.

Miriam said...

Ouch!!!!!!!!! I can't look!!!



I looove the Philip Jacobs fabric! I can't wait to hear how you like the new thread. Lovely colour range.

Sharon Schamber has some great hints!
Love your bug!

Abby and Stephanie said...

As I was sitting here admiring your amazing quilting skills I then scrolled down to the finger. OUCH but yet I giggle as I imagine the antics required to free yourself from the machine. Sorry.

Nat Palaskas said...

Oh dear Janet, why did you do thing like that. It must have hurt a bit! I'm sending you a quilter kiss it better here! Phillip Jacobs fabric is gorgeous. May I ask, are you going to machine quilt or hand quilt it? Hugs Nat

antique quilter said...

oh no hurts just looking at it!
ah yes my motto too fill up the box!!!
hope you had a tetanus shot lately!
practice star quilting design looks great!
your really having a lot of fun with the machine quilting aren't you?
Kathie

Maria Harrits said...

Yes you are right - bloggers takes pictures of that kine of things... mee too, whem I sew i my fingers (done i twice). It looks worth than it is - I think.

alobsiger said...

I had a clever comment about your quilting design until I saw your finger. Oh my. ::clunk:: Been there myself through the fingernail. Didn't take a photo. :-)

Oops-Lah said...

Oh you poor thing. This really looks ghastly ;(. Good that you had it looked at properly. And your quilting again.... sigh..... And yes, I also try to figure our how much I can order to go make the postage worthwhile. The best thing for me is to wait till the shop I want to order offer either a general discount or free shipping (most online shops do it from time to time) . It really makes a huge difference.

Anonymous said...

Ow ow ow ow!! Oh shivers up my spine and hair standing up on the back of my neck! Your poor finger. I bet it's sore now after the adrenaline has worn off. I tell you - those machines are dangerous things. Take care.K

Unknown said...

Ouchy Wowah...can't Look.Hope it mends quickly for You...Silly Billy.
cheers

Heidi said...

Aye,yai, yai! Who knew quilting could be an extreme sport! May you heal very quickly!

Unknown said...

Such a wonderful post and then the finger! Goodness, a good friend of mine did the same thing. Not fun!! I think that I would have been like you and taken myself to the doctor. Yikes!!

Amy said...

what beautiful qiulting! I am so sorry about your finger.I prolly would have passed out.hope it heals up quickly for you.

ranette said...

Oh my gosh....ouch! Please be careful Janet!

Okay...you must be a quilting savant....you've got your machine quilting pretty much mastered. Very nice work.

Love the backing to Stars and Sprigs!

Unknown said...

Oh poor you, I've been near to doing this a couple of times but fortunately caught myself in time - I hope it heals quickly

Anonymous said...

Oh Janet, hope it doesn't hurt to much.
Take care
Christine

onlymehere said...

Ow, ow, ow, and more ow! That looks like it hurts! Oh the things we go through doing what we love!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

I have done that too, just didn't get a picture! Hope you feel better!

Linda said...

OMG! Your poor finger looks awful. I kept looking at it! You poor thing. Ouch.
I think your practice quilting is gorgeous as always. Your bug looks beautiful, almost like a flower!

Terry said...

Your quilting looks great! Your finger...not so much! LOL

Cheryl said...

Oh No !! I did the same thing when I was 13 making clothes for my 4-H projects,only the needle went through my nail too. I also had to go to the ER and get a shot and stitches !
I love your designs on the quilting,I think it is beautiful,keep up the good work.
Hope your finger heals quickly.

quiltcontemplation blogspot said...

I totally get the taking a picture part. Good thing to get your vacinations! the quilting is lovely:)ahhhh what a price we pay for our art!

Carrie P. said...

OOOO, not good at all. I don't even like looking at it thinking how you had to go to the doctor and get a shot too.

The fabric you bought is totally you.

wow, great quilting design.

Lori said...

Tool time Janet with a needle in her finger!!! I was cruising along picturing you quilting up a storm with your tool belt on, then came across that photo!!! Ouch!!!

Marjorie said...

Like I needed more encouragement to stick with hand-work? Yoiks. Hope it heals quickly!

Crispy said...

OUCH!!!! This is another reason I'm going to stick with hand quilting, I know I would end up with fingers that look like that!!

Personally I love the feathers :0) I LOVE the quilting on the star!!

Crispy

MJinMichigan said...

OMG I must admit I laughed at your description of trying to free yourself. I sewed through a finger a few years ago but luckily the needle didn't break and came out of the finger. I hope your finger heals quickly.
I took a class from Sharon Schamber quite a few years ago and bought one of those boards from her.
Back then her husband made and sold them. You'll love your board.

Janet said...

OUCH!! You are one tough quilter Janet. And you thought to take a picture!! I hope your finger is on the mend and not preventing you from more sewing.
I love your big ironing board - I need to make one of those.

Cheri said...

EEK!! I have had so many close calls with doing just this, but managing to have the thread in it is a new twist. My biggest oops was to scratch an itch on my face with my rotary cutter in my hand. If I were male I could have passed it off as a shaving accident.
Heal quickly and as a healthcare professional glad you went to the Doc and got the shot.
Cheri

Terrie Sandelin said...

Oh, ow! I did this once, too, a long time ago but not quite as well as you seem to have. Ouch! Your quilting looks very cool though!

Darlene said...

Yep, only a blogger would should the picture!!! LOL Ouchie, ouchie, ouchie!!!! Beautiful quilts, though. :-)

Marie said...

Love the thread work - I did the same thing about a year ago on my embroidery machine except it went through my finger nail. Do you know how many times a second an embroidery machine needle goes up and down? LOL

Hugs - Marie

Annette said...

Oh my goodness! What a traumatic finish to your beautiful block. I think I would stick to some calm slow paced hand stitching for a while too. Hope you heal quickly.

Jeanne said...

Ooooooowwwwwwwwww! The good part is the quilting looks wonderful. :0

Dolores said...

Ouch that's painful to look at. And yes, only a blogger would get the camera out.

Meredith said...

Ouch. I hope it heals and all is well

Marlene said...

Like Stephanie I was admiring your quilting and then scrolled down and OUCH....!! Imagine it isn't pleasant today.
Love the quilting but have to agree with you on the feathers. Would love to see a pic if you leave the stars free of stitches.

Donna~~ said...

OUCH OUCH OUCH! My mom always told me to be careful and not let this happen, but I never thought it was possible (I've only hit my nail) Yikes! Your quilting looks great! And, I've been thinking of making me a board like that--please let me know what you think about it as you use it. Hope your finger heals well and quickly!

Sharon said...

Yes, only a blogger would get their camera and then post this! I was lucky, when I did this, the needle came back out!
Your quilting is improving leaps and bounds, I like how you have tested the different threads in the same design, this is a very good techique. I did an applique with scrappy b.g.'s in all different threads and different patterns to see how they stitched up and I use this as a sampler for my customers.

Mimi said...

Oooookkkkaaayyyy....that last picture put me to squirming in my chair. Yikes! Anyways, I had to go back and look at your great quilting to get rid of the heebeejeebee's. LOL Promise you will watch where that needle is next time. Love your new fabric, too. It will look great on the back of your quilt.

LizA. said...

Ooooh, I can so identify with you. Been there, done that. Only in my case the needle went completely through my finger, from the fingernail. So not fun. And yes, I took pictures too, just not of the needle sticking out through my finger....
http://lizquiltz.blogspot.com/2009/03/did-you-know.html

Love your machine quilting.

SewWhatsNew said...

I am so sorry about your finger. I hope you are all better. That looks too painful. Great quilting.

pratima said...

That must've hurt badly... sorry :(
The backing for your stars and sprigs is so perfect! The motifs you've been practicing are very pretty.

Vireya said...

Ouch! I think this post needed some sort of advisory message at the beginning, to warn those of a squeamish disposition!

Lovely quilting, though.

Janet said...

Ouch, ouch, ouch.
Your quilting is well worth the pain, right? It really is beautiful. You are going to have it
perfected by the time S&S is ready
to go.
Janet

Munaiba said...

You're right. Only a committed blogger would get the camera out. I guessed you've earned your stripes. Hope you feel better soon. The injection probably hurt more than the injury.
Cheers

O'Quilts said...

Well I just took a picture last month of cutting my finger with the rotary cutter at one am...just had to finish something. It was really nasty, but I wrapped it up good, took the picture and kept sewing. It has taken a month to heal. I hope you heal faster. I knock on wood, have never sewn it.OMG

Joan said...

Love your quilting - love the board - but OH - you poor thing - that finger looks dreadful. Hope you are all better soon - that looks so sore! I did that once when I was very young - I am really cautious now. Still we cant be too careful

Dolly said...

OY !

But, of course you journaled it !

This is a WEB LOG after all !

Hope you heal quickly !

Taryn said...

Eeks! I cannot believe you stopped and took a picture. Lucky you had the camera close by (or did you go find it, too?). Hope you heal quickly.

Rose Marie said...

Ouch .... that must hurst like heck! I'll be watching where my fingers go when machine quilting.

Lurline said...

How terrible! I bet it hurt more than you are letting on - and I bet you were scared, too! Your quilting is coming along so beautifully - does that help ate all?
Big hugs - Lurline♥

Quilts And Pieces said...

OUCH! I did that once and had to have a tetanus shot too. You are doing so great on your quilting!

MamaT said...

I think you ALREADY did some HAND STITCHING! Well, anyway the block looks great. Get well soon!

imquilternity said...

Gorgeous quilting again! I can barely look at the finger photo - but I defnitely feel your pain!! Take care of yourself!!

Anonymous said...

Your last photo made me ill...absolutely ill. OUCH!!! I loved how you drew the patterns out before doing it. This is something I like to do on the computer as well. Wonderful!!!

Anonymous said...

Lord haver mercy!!! O-U-C-H!!! And, maybe a BLUE word or two...

broderie said...

janet, all better soon i hope !

Sarah said...

Ha! Thanks for sharing! What a shot!! (the finger I mean!)

Pokey said...

Only a blogger...! Hope it feels better soon!

Vivian said...

Why oh why did I click on that last photo to see it enlarge? Curious idiot that I am, now I have a lurching stomach and chills up and down my spine.
You're so right -- only a blogger.
BTW--your quilting is lovely. Great design.

Corrie said...

oh janet, i was sitting here grimacing! ouch you poor thing! what with rotary cutters and needles quilting is dangerous for your health!

Ann Champion said...

Your Phillip Jacobs fabric is SO pretty! I too, try to get the most of my shipping costs. It's easy to justify a couple little extras?
Let us know how you like working with the silk thread..and if there are any pointers?
As I was reading along I liked your sketch and then your quilted up version, but then I saw your finger Janet. Oh my! It sure looks painful and difficult to remove?
I'm wishing you a speeedy recovery!

Barb said...

Oh Janet!
Your poor, poor finger! Oh my, you are right only a blogger would photograph the injury, lol. Hope it's not hurting you too much!
I loved the video on the pressing board. My big board has a warp,so maybe I'll do this with the area.
thanks -

Angela said...

I had to laugh -- see my post here:
http://countryscrapquilts.blogspot.com/2010/06/putting-yourself-into-your-work-o.html

Looks like we are sisters, in a special club! :o)
Take care of your finger!

Rachaeldaisy said...

LOL!! I'm scrolling through your post, dreamy Philip jacobs fabric, Amazing quilting, interesting quilting planning, beautiful butterfly then... arrrggghh a needle through your finger!!! OOOh my fingers hurt just looking at it. And yes, you are a true blogger to take a photo!! never a dull moment!

Pinky said...

oh no!! so sorry to hear about your finger! I had a close call last week - I was so focused on the sewing and keeping the fabric moving through at a correct speed that I didn't notice my finger was almost right under the needle - I just missed - but it was very VERY close! hope you heal up soon! :)

Liz said...

Ouch....!!
Lizzie
xxx

Sonja♥ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sonja♥ said...

Poor Janet!
Last week I stepped on a needle which -luckily- only traversed from one end to the other my little toe and didn't get into my foot plant...
My husband was wondering me while I was slowly and calmly getting the needle out of my little toe (me too;)))
But I could feel me living!!!!

Don't you wear gloves while machine quilting? It could perhaps help when you're so concentrate with your absolutely fabulous free motion:)

Bunny said...

Oh My Goodness poor you, hope it does not get infected. And hope you didn't bleed all over your project. Your work is wonderful.

Ivory Spring said...

Ouch! You are one serious quilter, aren't you?! :) I have done the same exact thing too.

I love your quilting. Might have to copy the pebbles in the pumpkin seed sometime...

Such a pro you are! :)

Robin said...

Oh, my. I could so envision that happening to me. I would definitely have dropped the scissors on the floor!

I find it so fascinating to see how you are going about planning your quilting. Drawing the block out like that is so smart. I'm definitely going to have to give that a try.

Shari said...

I love your dedication and creativity - so sorry about your accident. Yikes! I always tell my girls that lumps and bumps mean that you are out there living life and having fun... you go girl!

quiltfuchs said...

Oh my dear!! The picture screams "autsch" to my. I hope that everthing is okay today, I found the posting right now.

Greetings from Germnay
Kerstin