Guess What I Got Yesterday, and What I Did Today!

A few weeks ago, the old office chair that I had used for years at my sewing machine gave up the ghost and went down permanently to its lowest point, too low for me to sew comfortably.  I've spent several hours online trying to decide on a replacement chair, and finally made a decision.  No store around close had it, but I was sure that was what I wanted.  I mentioned it to my son, and he volunteered to take me about 40 miles away to get it!   I wanted to see it in person rather than ordering it.

I really liked it, but decided to look at other chairs there too before I made my decision.  After about 45 minutes, I told the sales clerk I had decided.  When she went to the back to get the box, I saw a sign that said they would put it together for $15.   My son said that sounded like a deal, so we ate lunch at Cotton Patch while they put it together.  Then he brought me and my new chair straight back home.  Here's what I got (and I do love it!):

It swivels, raises, lowers, both the back and the seat tilt and lock, and the arm rests can be moved up or down.  We will move the arm rests in a little closer to the seat so it will fit under my machine cabinet better.  I'm sure I'll like the mesh back with the lumbar support section!

I'm so grateful that my son took me to get the chair.  Don't know what I'd do without him!


This morning after my brief morning routine of breakfast, Bible reading, and straightening the house a mighty little bit,  I decided to start cutting pieces of embroidery for my new quilt project.  It goes much slower than I had hoped, but I gained speed as the afternoon went along.  There are nine little pieces in each block, all shaped differently.  I decided to lay the template pieces over the embroidery to find the best use of the piece.  Then I marked around the templates with my Frixion pen, removed the template, and then cut on the lines with my ruler, numbering each piece like its template number so it would be easier to put the pieces together.  I had made extra copes of the pattern, so after I got several pieces of each number, I laid the pieces on the pattern, and then would look, and then choose a different piece for that place.  It made it easier to get something more satisfactory since I had several pieces of each one to select from. 

I still had a hard time getting everything cut the best way, but it did get easier as I went along.  Maybe before too long I'll get better at it all. 

I did manage to get four blocks together today.  Far from perfect, but they do all measure 9.5" square!

Block 1

Block 2 

Block 3 

Block 4

It's really hard to get the templates to fit over the embroidery exactly like I'd like, but I hope to get better at it.  When I think the template will cover the entire design, it won't!  Another time, it covers the design on one side, with too much blank space on the other side, no matter which way I turn the template.   Of course, too much blank space will be a perfect place for me to add some lace or crochet when I get a little more confident.

I did learn one lesson today.  The templates must all be turned top side up, or they won't fit together!  You will see in Block 4 there is a skinny triangle at the center bottom that has no embroidery.  That's because I had the template flipped over, with the wrong side up when  I marked, and then cut!  It took me several minutes to figure out what was wrong, but in the meantime I cut a sliver of the same piece and pieced it to make it fit!  Doesn't look too great, and I may someday replace that section, but not until I get further along!  I was determined not to lose that bit of embroidery, and there is not another of the templates that will fit in what I had cut!  Lesson learned:  pay attention to which side of the template is up!

Oh well, I did have fun this afternoon!  It was the first time I've sewn anything since October or early November, and that's too long!!!

---"Love"