Removing Stitches and Other Events

We're really good at it-- removing stitches. We're well acquainted with frogging and we all have armed ourselves with the proper tools. We've been doing it for years. We have different terms for this action, too: rather than "ripping out" we may refer to this as un-sewing, reverse-stitching or removing stitches. I'm skilled at this craft! In fact, I'm so adept at stitch removal that when I parked myself in the dental chair this morning, to have my stitches removed from the dental procedure (extraction, bone graft and membrane placement) performed 4.5 weeks ago, the dental assistant couldn't find any remaining sutures to be found! There was a stray "knot", attached to nothing, and I was deemed free and clear to go. Another month of healing, a reassessment, and we'll see where we go from there. Yep, I'm that good! Years of practice pays off.

Lynnleigh was front and center yesterday afternoon, showing off her violin skills with her fellow "Little Mozarts" at her school auditorium. One of the pieces they performed was "Grandma Rides A Motorcycle". Ah, NO!, not this "Grandma"; I might be good at a lot of things-- like telepathically removing stitches, but riding a motorcycle isn't, nor ever will be, my super power! 

How cute is she?

Life is Good!

Up next: Adding Stitches

 

One Stitch At A Time

These are my first, feeble, attempts at smocking on a sample piece. It will be a while before I am thrilled with the results, but I do love this pastime! OK, I'm no Polly Flinders but I'm going to keep working at it, practice time pays off. I've already committed to a bishop dress class and I've only learned these two stitches and two embellishments... so much more to learn, I can't wait!

Life is Good!

Easin' On...

Thanks for joining me, and Sundance, as we EASE on down the long arm road together... the hike up this steep learning curve named "Pantograph" is a workout that ain't for wimps. This exercise is quite different from anything I've tried before, being behind the machine and away from the needle "action" will take some getting used to. Following a continuous pattern with a laser beam and simultaneously translating every slight movement and mis-step to the machine in front isn't as simple as you may think. I've learned a few things worth remembering:

1. breathe.
2. loosen up; go smooth and easy
3. breathe
4. relax shoulders
5. breathe
6. go smoother, easier!
7. glance up from time to time
(your thread may have broken...
OK, this happened to me twice!)
8. BREATHE!

Results after my first, faltering attempt:
Pantograph pattern design, "Double Plume" on top,
actual stitched sample of " Misshapen, Boxy Plumes with Weird Tips" below:

There's much to be said for "easy does it" and relaxed, fluid movements. I never promised that this journey would be pretty! I'll get this right, I have every confidence, or die trying. Everything in good time. Bonnie offered a good suggestion: that I walk left to right behind the machine rather than right to left, as I had been. I'll try that and see if it makes any difference, it can't hurt!

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
Life is Good!

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!