Posted on by agilejack

Easing Back Into Some Sewing

It felt so good to wake up in my own bed in a warm house this morning. But I woke up to this.

So much ice. So incredibly slick. So incredibly lucky… the wind that was forecast to come with the freezing rain didn’t materialize. If it had, we could have been plunged back into days without power. So I’m feeling pretty lucky today.

It melted off a little today but not as much as they predicted it would. But the ice can be pretty too.

After work I thought I’d venture out to my mail box. But after stepping onto the front porch I decided it was too risky.

It’s a slight downhill from the house to my mail box. I’m pretty sure I would have fallen on my ass if I’d attempted it. The mail can wait for a day or two.

The temps will get progressively warmer over the next few days and we don’t dip below freezing anytime in the ten day forecast. So this will melt… in time.

Since I had to toss a bunch of stuff from my fridge after being without power for 82 hours and not wanting to risk getting sick, I had a dinner of fried eggs and toast. I love breakfast for dinner! I might be eating this for several days if the ice doesn’t go away so I can venture to the grocery store.

I headed down the hall when I was done to do a little sewing. I decided I wanted to give my stormy weekend host a corn bag to ease her sore neck. I made a quick tutorial for these corn bags last year. You can find it here. This whipped up really fast tonight and luckily I still had some feed corn in the garage.

It’s basically a flannel bag with sections filled with whole feed corn. You microwave it and put it on what ails you. I have one that I use all the time in the winter just to feel warm on chill days. The shape and size of this one makes it great to wrap around your neck, drape over a shoulder or wrap around a knee. I’ve made a lot of these — 100 lbs of feed corn worth!

After that I decided to work on my Fresh Start quilt top. I had pinned four rows together on Saturday hoping the power would come on and I would be ready to sew.

So I took advantage of my power and warmth and sewed all four of these rows together, pressed them, and then sewed all four into one section.

I just love seeing sewn rows and sections on my ironing board. I love getting that closer look at all the fabrics and how the blocks play together.

Have I mentioned that I’m a pinner? I like taking the time to pin because the sewing goes much faster and I get a better result.

Well, usually I get a better result.

This corner join is about 1/8 of an inch off. It drives me crazy but not crazy enough to pick out the seam and do it again. But it’s motivation for me to be more careful on subsequent seams.

I loved how this two-row piece looked on my black wooden sewing chair.

I’ve toyed with the idea of Mod Podging fabric to this chair several times. This makes me think I should actually do it!

And I always love the view of a finished section on my ironing board.

With those four rows sewn together and pressed, this quilt top is half-way complete.

Maybe I’ll finish it tomorrow night.

My dogs slept hard most of today while I worked. I think the weekend was a little hard on them too, although they had a blast playing with corgi Bella. They didn’t spend much time out of the house today and a walk was definitely out of the question. It seems unlikely that we’ll get a walk tomorrow. I’ll be lucky to make my way to the mail box!

My boss is encouraging those of us who had stressful weekends to take a day or two off. I’ll be looking at my calendar to see if I can put that off this weekend.

40 Replies to “Easing Back Into Some Sewing”

  1. Onwards and upwards…spring isn’t far off. When I read your weather posts it’s like reading my own…I don’t venture out unless the pavements are dry and the sun is shining….my little dachshund is overweight this winter we need to get out for exercise. But when your legs are only 4ins long and your belly is close to the floor you find your warm fleece blanket bed more tempting. Even on a fine day if I say ”Charlie we’re going for a walk and pick up his harness, he’s gone…usually head tucked behind the sofa but his long bottom half sticking out. He cowers with ears flattened with pleading big eyes. He really hates walks. What he wants is me to get down and play tug of war or throw a ball. He’ll do that till he wears ‘me ,out. Dachshunds are obstinate ..mind of their own, loveable, cuddly, and can tell the time for a treat. 11am and 7pm ..on the dot. I love your quilt top ..colourful , eye catching pattern ..I love your blogs…

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  2. I just read your accounting of your 82 hours without power – what an ordeal. So glad you have wonderful neighbors who welcomed you into their home. Your quilt is looking great. I, too, would be driven nuts with that seam that’s 1/8 inch off. Unlike you, my seam ripper would’ve gotten some use. I have been known to take out seams with less than that amount off. It all depends on the project. Dresden plates – out comes the offending portion of the seam until it’s as perfectly matched as possible. Doll clothes – I just keep sewing. Leaning toward the perfectionist side is not always a good thing. Stay safe and warm.

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    1. I like corners to match, but I can let them go. But I like it when they match. hahahah!

      I lost power again tonight. Luckily, only for one hour but I was pretty anxious during that hour! I was so happy to see it come back on.

      Anne

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  3. So glad you’re home safe and warm.  We are anticipating the very very cold blast to come through Friday -Sunday. 

    Fresh Start looks really nice all sewn together. Are you planning a border?

    <

    div>About your mail…..I’m sure you know about USPS’s Informed Delivery service.   You get pictures of the ma

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    1. This quilt will not be getting a border. it’s a nice throw size as it is.

      I’m familiar with the informed delivery service. We deal with it in my work. I’ve never signed up for it. I probably should.

      Anne

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    1. No, but I”m so curious why you ask that question. I think I might know why… because my photos often feature my left hand in them. I put my had in the photo to show scale… like the size of the print on the fabric. the reason you see my left hand is actually because I’m RIGHT HANDED… I’m using my right hand to operate the camera on my phone!

      My mom was left handed. In school they forced her to write using her right hand. But she did everything else left handed. I did develop some good ambidextrous abilities because of this.

      Anne

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      1. I thought you might be left-handed due to the way you position your pins.

        In my never-humble opinion you are “correct” in putting the pins perpendicular to the stitching path. (Many quilters who’ve never done garment spewing place the pins parallel to the stitching line; I find that distorts the project.)

        I wondered if you’d find it easier to pull your pins out as you stitch if the heads were on the right side — so you could pull them out with your right hand as you stitch. I’m a buttinski like that. 😎

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      2. I leave enough space between the point of the pin and the seam line that I can sew and not remove pins. that way I can really fly.

        I do actually sometimes place some pins parallel to the stitching line when I’m sewing a long seam. It keeps one piece of fabric from slipping and making less than a 1/4 inch seam allowance on one side. I do keep pins holding the matched seam together perpendicular.

        Anne

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  6. Wow – crazy ice. Be careful. That ice is no joke if you fall. Carry your phone with you if you do venture out on it. How about some thin cushions for that sewing chair? That way you can change it out when the mood hits! If you modge pod it – that’s permanent. Just a suggestion. I do love the quilt ♥️♥️♥️

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    1. I always try to have my phone in my pocket when I leave the house. Bender locked me out of the house once!!! Thank goodness I had my phone to call a friend with a key.

      I know I don’t want cushions on that chair. And I’m not really sure I won’t regret mod podging it. Decisions decisions.

      Anne

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    1. I’ll have to try freezing one. I use ice packs all the time. But my hands have been bothering me and a regular ice pack it a little much on my hands. the corn bag might be perfect. I’ll toss one in the freezer tonight!

      Anne

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  8. Wow I missed the post about the ice storm and just read it. You are so blessed to have a neighbor that would welcome you and the boys for so long. And that means having enough food to feed you as well. Love the way the quilt is turning out. Enjoy the warmth and comforts of home. So I see in your neighbors future??

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    1. It’s a lot to welcome a person and two rambunctious dogs into your home!!! Friends are so amazing! And my friend is a much better planner and shopper than me.I told her that if I ever have to repay them and put them up during a storm, they would be fed but not as well fed as I was!

      Anne

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  9. It really looks like Portland got it far worse than we did in Corvallis. I’m so glad you are back home safely. Thank goodness for neighbors!
    I know we don’t get this stuff often but consider getting yourself a pair of YakTrax for next time. If it hadn’t been for ours we would have been home bound the whole time.
    Loving your quilt sew much…
    Stay safe, ~toni

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    1. We get the terrible winds from the gorge. That’s what really makes a storm like this worse. And yes… I’m so thankful for my neighbors!

      I am looking at some kind of traction device for the ice. But I need to get something for the dogs too. They’re sliding all over the place!

      Anne

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  11. So glad you didn’t get more wind! The ice sure is beautiful, but dangerous. I hope the boys haven’t had trouble going outside….
    Your fresh start is stunning 🤩! So colorful. Going on my list 🥰

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  12. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful colorful quilt pattern, I love the colors with the black and white. Very inspiring and I am so glad that I found you. Have a great day and stay warm. Jody from New Mexico

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  13. LOVE this quilt design and gorgeous colours. Regarding the corn bags – I had visions of ‘popping’ corn when you put them in the microwave – I guess feed corn is a little different haha

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  15. love that banker’s chair you have. sewing a pad two blocks wide and 4 blocks long should cover the chair back on both sides with ties where the back meets the seat to secure it. I love that block pattern ~ it’s a quick keeper, table runner, etc. etc.

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    1. You comment got cut off, but I’m guessing you were suggesting need some traction devices for my shoes. If so, I’ve already been looking for some. They would come in really handy!

      Anne

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  17. Your boss is awesome! I recon if you wrap a rope around the letter box and back, and tie yourself on with a carabiner, you may have a bit of fun getting the mail! Perhaps the puppies can help haul you back! Plus, thanks for the link to the heat pack – I’ll be needing that in July. Your photos are beautiful of the ice tub and the flora. There’s always beauty in every situation. x

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    1. It’s getting harder and harder to see the beauty in all our ice. It just refuses to go away. I’m pretty tired of it.

      Getting to the ail box isn’t getting easier. I’m going to need to get creative!

      Anne

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  18. Absolutely beautiful. The tiny adjustment, a true friend would never point this out! This just points out that you are perfect most of the time! Joanne Ortiz

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