Still
“Can’t you sit still?” That’s a question we are frequently asked when young. I certainly wasn’t a child who would be pointed out as being active in a distracting or not paying attention way. Nor would I describe myself as being impatient or restless as an adult. However, I do struggle with being still, especially not doing anything but sitting quietly and perhaps meditating. Instead, I go about my day from one task to another, often accompanied by listening to my current audiobook.
Bernina 990 Progress
There was very little time to work in the studio this week. Still, I managed a productive day on Tuesday. OESD had a site wide sale. I took advantage of it to purchase several FSL (free standing lace) embroidery designs. Last week I shared my first attempt with the FSL autumn wreath.
This week I decided to “insanely” stitch out two more autumn leaves and 10 pairs of earrings in a single large hoop. Talk about never sitting still. Yes, the machine does the stitching. However, it required me to rethread the machine and change the bobbin 28 times.
On the positive side, I am making giant leaps in my learning curve using the Bernina 990. There was barely a hiccough in the whole 500 minute stitch out. The Bernina keeps track of the time. The next step is to plan better so there are less frequent thread changes. I was able to multi task. While the Bernina stitched away, I could quilt on my George and supervise the Bernina.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
So much for my self promise to quilt 15 squares each week on my 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt. I fell short by half that. Still, progress was made. Next week looks fairly open. So, I am cautiously optimistic I will be able to focus on my RSC quilt.
Question of the Week
Do you choose to incorporate stillness in your every day life? If so, how does it help you? If not, is it a conscientious choice not to do so?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
Nice embroidery work! Also love your scrappy quilt. I have always been one to keep busy. Even while watching TV I do hand work.
Thank you, Vicki. I’m still learning. Something I have a love hate relationship with. After years of piecing and FMQ, it is fascinating to learn something and contemplate what I can do with it.
I am amazed at how you are adapting to the 990! It’s pretty cool to watch.
I should give the SEDOSO some credit here. When I told him my plan to buy a new machine that would allow me to “do it all”, so that we could move to a smaller space he was all for it. He accompanied me to several sewing centers, hung out while I test drove competitive machines and even helped with the negotiations, set up and more. We both knew if this was to be a success I would need to be as comfortable with this machine as I was with my Bernina 1260. I confidently say I am there now.
It’s good to know you, too, are enjoying the process of putting my learning curve on display.
I have a slow start to my early morning, tea and newspaper, then a bit of food and mail reading. Then I’m up and att’em. I’m not comfortable going to the studio before my chores are done, so that comes next. I’m a very bad sleeper so I will do meditation excersies in the middle of the night that being my only still time. Love your thread earrings, you’ll pay for that machine in no time, HA!
I love your confidence in my ability to payoff my machine by selling earrings. That is extremely unlikely to happen. When I look at the cost of the machine my tendency is to think how much does it cost me per hour of use. Every hour I stitch makes it cheaper. Toss in enjoyment factor and it’s a win.
Sounds like a great way to start your day and cope of middle of the night insomnia.
Happy you love the earrings. I was impressed by several of the patterns.
I’m impressed with how you are learning with your 990. I wouldn’t have the patience for thread lace work. Even quilting one block of the RSC quilt is progress. Keep going and you can celebrate New Year’s Eve by finishing the binding on this quilt.
Thank you, Gretchen. I LOVE learning. So, checking out all the 990 has to offer is fun, even the hair tearing how do I do this part. FSL is actually very easy since the machine does nearly 100% of the work. I just have to set it up correctly by positioning the pattern(s) to fall within the hoop and threading the machine. Then I simply press the “Start” button and off the machine goes. It even snips the thread 1 mm from the surface. Since it is built on a glue substrate and the threads cross each other it will never unravel.
No doubt I could finish by New Year’s Eve. My personal deadline is before September 30th. I have an open studio coming up and I would love to be able to display it.
You are really enjoying taking this new machine for a spin! It’s fun to see what you can do with it . The RSC quilt is coming along nicely. I like to be up and moving around. I try to read a bit most days but must admit that I probably read more books by listening to audiobooks while out walking. Even while sewing, I cut a bit, sew a bit, press a bit and repeat.
What’s not to love about getting to know a new sewing machine, especially one that can do so much?
Like you, I read far more books as audiobooks than in print. I’ve always read before going to sleep, so reading an actual book or even an eBook quickly has me nodding off no matter how compelling it is.
Yes, it is important to get up and down while sewing. Sounds like you have a nice routine going.
You are doing amazing with your new embroidery machine. I’ve had one sitting with its cover for a year now and have no interest in learning the methods or the machine. I will trade in along with my QP18 sit-down for the next model, a QP20. Our Janome dealer here is fantastic.
What is most important is finding a machine you are eager to work with. Lucky you to have a Janome dealer close by you are confident in.
My friend has an embroidery module and she’s done several FSL. So pretty! You did a good job making the thread changes all in one hoop. 28 changes was definitely enough to keep you busy!
Yes, Sue, I did have be on standby to swap threads. Some ran for 7 minutes while other runs lasted 30 minutes. I’m working on how to better organize my work to minimize thread changes in the future. Of course, it blows through bobbin thread, too. There are lots of stitches in FSL.
Twenty eight bobbin changes. . .that was a bunch of supervision! It is part of the learning curve though! Your results look terrific! Yes, I spend 15-30 minutes a day meditating. I find it helps me start and end the day in a calm way. I am challenged with letting go of my thoughts as I have way too many conversations going on at any given time. The meditation gives me a place to pause!
So true, Terry. I’m working on figuring out how to plan/set up future FSL to minimize thread changes.
I’ve tried to meditate, but my monkey mind takes over. I really admire you and others who can commit to meditation.
I love seeing this embroidered lace that you’re making – those are great earrings! Glad they worked so well on your machine. I love to read (not audio books) so that does provide a lot of still time for me. But even though it looks like a reader is being still on the outside, it doesn’t necessarily feel still in your brain!
I was intrigued by the patterns for the earrings. Hadn’t seen anything quite like them. Hopefully, some of my Open Studio patrons will be interested enough to pick up a pair or more.
Yes, sitting down to read is a great quiet time activity.
I love your FSL! These earrings are pretty, well done for mastering your machine and stitching such a variety of items! At work, I’m a fast-paced person, but at home, I can sit still without any effort 😉 Have a great week Gwyned, and thank you for sharing and linking up.
Thank you, Frédérique. Love that you have work/home persona that operate at different speeds.
I do not choose to be still. Even if I am not up and doing something I have something in my hands to work on, be it knitting, binding tacking, or playing games on my phone. My brain does not like inactivity, LOL! When idle it will create all kinds of silly, scary, scenarios.
I hear you, Chris. Life is full of so many opportunities and joys, why not embrace them. There are also difficulties that are tough to face. Hence the maximum, “Life is short. Eat dessert first.” 🙂
I am very good at sitting still and being quiet, but my mind has to be engaged. I too go from one project to the next, usually while listening to music. I prefer reading and actual book than listening to audio books. My mind gets distracted and I miss a lot that way. Your description of making those pretty earrings has convinced me that I will never try that. LOL Enjoy working on all of your gorgeous projects.
It is one thing to sit still, quite another to quiet the mind. In yoga that is referred to as monkey mind. Personally, I try to channel my thoughts through problem solving and noticing unexpected connections. The operative word there is TRY.
Yes, there is something wonder about being able to read, flipping the page, eager to see what happens next.
Of course, I am on a steep learning curve with my FSL projects. Even as I write you my mind is going over how I can minimize those thread changes and what the best set up of the frame would be. I love that we can each choose where to focus our energy in our quilting/fiber art exploration. How dull it would be if we all focused on the same thing.
Your Autumn Leaves look amazing. I have always admired FSL but have never attempted it. Sounds like you are enjoying the process. I can sit for a spell, but my hands are always busy. I have to have a needle in hand. My hubby says it is an obsession. LOL. I wish you a lovely week and Happy Quilting. Hugs.
Handwork is a positive to be obsessed with, in my opinion.
Yes, I am enjoying the process of learning about FSL. OESD has some stunning patterns, like the autumn leaves, to select from.
Look at you, rocking the machine embroidery on your 990! My poor embroidery module still hasn’t even had a test drive. You’re doing great! I am looking forward to having all of my machines in the same studio space for exactly the reason you mentioned. I could have been working on my Stonefields blocks while my Q24 was quilting computerized designs on my Deco quilt, but those machines are currently housed in separate buildings.
I have the privilege of only having to do my own work and set my own priorities for same. My primary goal is to make friends with my 990, so that when it is my sole machine it doesn’t feel like a hardship, but a positive step forward. It was my mind bending to be able to work on two machines simultaneously. Don’t recommend it. Very multi tasking and therefore a tad more chaotic than I like. I can imagine you doing something similar, though, should you have be able to configure the Q24 and 990 in the same room. 🙂
Hi Gwyned, you’ve done some amazing work on your new machine! Your leaves are really lovely! Good luck with the FMQ of the RSC quilt and thanks for linking up to FM Mavericks. I have trouble with stillness but do listen to meditations most days.
Thank you, Andrée. I’m enjoying learning all about my new machine. It has yet to disappoint. Kudos to the designer who created the stitch out pattern for the leaves. My only input was to select the colors I wanted for the leaves based on my thread on hand.
Mediations are very grounding. Sounds like a good practice.