foible (n.) [foi.buhl]1. a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect, an all-too-human quirk or weakness. From the French (faible) for feeble.
That's me, full of foibles, I'll admit it. The greatest of these? I only listen half as much as I should. That was the case this past week with my Bernina Stitch Regulator. It's a great little invention that senses the all-too-human movements of the fabric beneath it's foot and makes a quilt stitch length accordingly. (In a perfect world with a foible-free operator!) I have used this accessory many times with stellar results. Not this time. I had journal covers to quilt for my recent blog giveaway. I could quilt, oh... maybe two inches, and the thread would snap and break. I changed needles, I altered the tension, I traded bobbin cases, I swapped out bobbin thread, I even lubricated the top thread with silicone. Nothing changed the result. The stitches were AWFUL, and that was when I had any line of them measuring more than an inch or two. I was frustrated beyond belief. My husband reminded me that this had happened to me before. It had? I didn't remember that. (Another foible perhaps, forgetfulness? I was blaming that on hormones!) I decided to take both of these pieces, back them together and load them on Sundance for quilting, I knew I could do that! But then I decided that I couldn't let this get the best of me, I should be able to quilt a small piece using the BSR. I stopped by my LQS last Thursday on my way home from a meeting and talked with the shop's owner, she immediately suggested that I switch from a 80/12 quilting needle to a 90/14 to accommodate the larger diameter thread (30 wt. Sulky) that I was determined to use. It was that simple! After I made that adjustment the quilting progressed like a Nascar race under a green flag. I had forgotten all about the larger eye and scarf for a heavier thread, or had I ever heard all that I needed to? I guess I just don't listen to all the information that I need; but rather, think that I've gleaned enough and rush head-long into whatever needs doing. Yep, it's my all-too-human quirk, I'm foibled. But, the quilting's done!
Life is Good!
10 comments:
Restrictor Plate Racers like to Turn Left and Go Fast!!!
Oh and...
I have to say, I must admit, I feel compelled to confess (oh my catholic self on a Sunday) that I too "think that I've gleaned enough and rush head-long into whatever needs doing." To make it even more special, I have no patience for those that don't listen to my instructions and rush head-long!
I'm glad to learn a new word today, too.
I have found the larger the needle, the better when using the BSR. It allows smoother movement of the thread to make even stitches!
Gee - did I ever learn something here. Now the question is Will I REMEMBER this the next time I pull out my BSR!?!?!?!?!? I need to go write this down in the instruction manual - Mrs. Goodneedle recommends....
Thanks! (and I'm guilty of rushing headlong - just ask DH!)
That's a good nugget for the rest of us!!! Thanks!! :)
dawn
I think I just don't hear.....well...maybe I am not listening, cause in the back of my mind somewhere, I think I already know THAT...only to find out if only I had put on my listening ears instead of my MICKEY MOUSE ears..'course there's always next time.....Geesh will I ever learn to be a better listener...I doubt it , but I will try.... Maybe I'm just lost!!!!!
PS: I did know about the needle....but will I remember?
That remains to be seen!!!!
Foible is a fun word to say---frustration not so much! Glad you were strong enough to ask for help and that it was a simple fix. I wish I had a BSR!
i knew this was a blog post waiting to happen at lunch! :)
you have every right to blog about people falling down the stairs at church, fairies in the pulpit, and the perfect utopian society!
:)
I appreciate the info. I have a BSR foot too. You have saved me from a similar mistake! Bless You!
Don't you just love your shop owner!
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