HOW I USE MY TIME WISELY

Baseball games take a long time to play – at least a little over a couple of hours and up to 4 or more if they are tied and go into extra innings.  How do I help use that time wisely but still keep up with the game?  Hand sewing work.  During the current playoffs between the Texas Rangers and Florida Rays, I’ve been hand quilting.



This quilt top has been waiting for quilting for almost a year now.  I think I worked on the applique pieces prep during last year’s play off and world series games.  This if my first attempt at hand quilting using a smaller needle and thread.  In the past my hand quilting consisted of #8 perle cotton thread and a #5 or 6 needle.  The stitches are further apart, used in simple designs light a Baptist fan or grid quilting.  On this quilt, I wanted to outline the applique pieces so I opted for the more traditional quilting method.  

At first, I tried using a large hoop but after working with it for a couple of hours with poor results, decided to take off the hoop and just do the lap quilting.  That worked much better for me but my stitches were still a little too long.  However, the more I stitch the better the stitches began to look.  I can definitely tell where I started compared to where I am at the time.  Much, much improved but not perfect.  The index fingers are getting pricked and tougher each day which is another good sign that I’m making progress.

Maybe by the end of the World Series for 2011, my Poinsettia Wreath quilt will be completely hand quilted and ready for Christmas display.   And the Texas Rangers will the be World Series champs.

Let's go Rangers!