Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Washing and quilting

Yesterday I wore myself out. It was a holiday in Japan but Tetsu wasn't around so I had the day to myself to do as I liked. And what did I do? I washed screens! NO! I don't particularly like washing screens but it was so dang hot that I thought it would be a good excuse to play in the water.

Of course, one thing led to the next and I started washing windows too. And then I decided that Choco might as well join me in the water play so I gave her a bath in our driveway (she did not think that was fun). And then I started moving around furniture and throwing things away. (Still under the influence of cleaning out my mom's house.)

Unfortunately no one notices when screens and windows get cleaned. Tetsu didn't notice. All that work. But I still have the theory that sparkling windows lift the spirit and so I am enjoying the clear view of the outside world.

And between washing times (I'd wash three screens and three windows and then take a rest) I did some machine quilting on the Great Australian quilt. The quilting for this is going easier than I expected. Maybe because the last machine quilting I did was on my niece's machine and it was jumpy and very light weight. My machine, for all it's flaws, seems to sew more smoothly. I did have problems with the bobbin tension, but not all the time. I'd sew along and everything would be dandy and then I'd change threads (different color for the background) and the tension would go haywire but of course I didn't notice until I was almost finished with a section. So I had to tear out and do again. It wasn't just the change of thread either because sometimes the thread would work fine and when I'd go back to the first thread the tension would go off again. I guess I need to check the back more often.

I had fun though playing around and "drawing" with the sewing machine. I'm not going to be able to do anymore today but I'm looking forward to working on this quilt!

10 comments:

Meggie said...

Wow! Your quilting looks fabulous! All that cleaning makes me feel terribly lazy...

Marj said...

I know what you mean about clean windows and Our dog does not like to be bathed either. Your Ausie quilt is looking good. Looks fun to draw with thread.

G'G'ma said...

Why is it that the tension can change just because I went to the kitchen to fix a cup of coffee and no one was around to mess with the machine?! Thank goodness that hasn't happened with my new machine but it sure did with my old one.

Allie said...

My Tanya, you're diverse! LOL! Yes, clean windows lift the spirits. I'm really loving that Aussie quilt!

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

Wow, I hate to wash windows much less screens... and your quilting looks divine. But I am most interested in the mosquito repellent... I am their evening meal every night whilst sitting with the Professor on the deck. Nothing seems to help much.... except smelly spray.

BrendaLou said...

Tanya--your machine quilting isn't just improving...you are into the "experienced" category now! Lovely.

Amanda said...

Thankfully we don't have screens, and a window cleaner comes to clean the outsides of the windows, so I only have to worry about the insides - and that's Christopher's job! Your quilting looks fabulous, way beyond anything that I've tried yet.

Connie W said...

What a bundle of energy you are! Clean windows (and screens) are a good feeling, even when others may not realize the work that went into having them. I was thinking of washing my windows this afternoon while we have tolerable weather. I should have done it a few days ago actually but didn't. From what I see in the photo, the machine quilting looks wonderful. I'm inexperienced in that and guess I will find out about the tension problems if/when I get busy with machine quilting. I sure do know about it with all the longarm quilting I used to do and it was one of the big negatives for me in doing that.

Rae Ann said...

I think I need to come visit you, so that you can teach me how to machine quilt. Your work is just wonderful. I so afraid, I won't even give it a try, not to mention, I wouldn't know where to start.

Marilyn R said...

Your Great Australian quilt is looking fantastic! Can't wait to see it when it is finished!