06 March, 2008

Early Efforts

I found the "on" switch! After sufficient reading and DVD viewing I loaded my very first practice piece onto Sundance around 2 PM yesterday. I loaded it wrong and needed to take it all off and do it again. The learning curve is a steep one! I was finally ready to take those first, long-awaited stitches. I learned how to make tension adjustments and before too long was able to relax enough to enjoy the rhythm and motion of Sundance, letting my shoulders and arms relax; allowing me to guide her smoothly. These stitches were all done in the manual mode, there's an issue with the stitch regulator; looks like I'll be calling tech-help today. This is going to be a long and happy relationship, I can already tell!! (with Sundance, hopefully not with tech-help!) I plan to progress to marked stencil lines and pantograph work later on today. I can fill the bobbin, oil and clean her, thread her, and change her needle. That's a lot to learn (for li'l ol' me) in one day; hey, maybe that Brain Age training is paying off after all! Onward and upward...

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
Life is Good!

18 comments:

Anne Heidi said...

Wow, you are a fast learner- looks like you're already having lots of fun :)

Salem Stitcher said...

You are going to be a pro before you know it!

quiltkeemosabe said...

What you call a steep learning curve is only a bump in the road for you. For the rest of us, it would be a mountain, but for you a little ol' speed bump.

CONNIE W said...

Isn't it fun! Enjoy!
I'll fess up and share that I loaded one wrong in the beginning, I forgot to go under the black leveling bar. And didn't even catch on. :)

MJMR said...

You go girl! I knew you could do it. Happy Stitching today.

LauraQuilts said...

I'm living vicariously through your blog . . . you'll do wonderful things. Congratulations.

Pam said...

The first time I used a LA I forgot to breathe! LOL then when I remembered to breathe I couldn't let my shoulders relax...I was a mess!

All of my practice runs were done on printed fabric so I could just bind them and use them as donation quilts. Wish I had kept my first one, but I am sure it is keeping some little one warm.

You're doing great...can't wait to see what wonderful creations you come up with.

Pam@
www.pamgwillim.com

Libby said...

Looks great . . . you are going to have a lot of fun together *s*

Shelina said...

I agree with Anne Heidi, you are a fast learner - you're off to a wonderful start yourself. You must have gotten up extra early. The stitches are beautiful. It looks to me like you are a pro already!

Be careful though, you just might start getting packages with all sorts of unfinished quilts for you to practice on!

Quilting Memories said...

By the time I get home, you will definitely be a pro, probably have all the tops you have already made done!!!!!!!!!! You are off to a great start,Keep up the good work!
OH, Thanks for the info (on my blog),I emailed her, hope she will try what you said. J

Beth said...

Your motion looks great already!You will be off and running with that dreaded 'learning curve' behind you in NO time! Congrats!

Ancestor Collector said...

You're doing great! You'll never want to leave home again...you'll always want to be there playing with Sundance! ;-)

Getting up on time is more of a challenge with Hubby's new schedule. I like early rising the best so I have the entire day.

Lisa Boyer said...

Yay!!!! It looks great!

Nane said...

This already looks better than I can do on my little machine....Sundance is in for a work out I bet!

*karendianne. said...

I'm soooo happy for you! Isn't it neat that we get to share this journey with you and Sundance? I dig it!

Globally Connected by Love, *karendianne.

Moorea said...

You are well on your way to beautiful quilts done completely by yourself! I am so jealous. I look forward to seeing all the progress! Keep on stitchin' :o)

meggie said...

It is all sounding, - & looking, good!!

Carole said...

I agree with you that the learning curve is a steep one, but it's a fun one! Enjoy your learning time!