This is my little corner of the internet where I like to write about the process of quilting. Lately, I’ve been having difficulties with my creativity because of life in general. Partially, it’s because my ‘day job’ keeps me super busy, so I lose a lot of quilting time. Then I got new insurance this year which means a new Doctor, and she is having me change up a lot of medications. This is throwing my whole body into all sorts of changes that I’m trying to keep up with. And we’ve started living under a new regime of wanna-be-christian-authoritariansim that is making daily life overwhelming with actualities of genocide, concentration camps, disappearing people, racism, pedophilia and extreme wealth inequalities. I’ve also lost a couple friends to cancer recently and that’s been hard too. Not to complain too much, but that’s why my blog here is suffering a bit.
Swirling Oceans Quilt Pattern
Finally, I’ve finished my Swirling Oceans Quilt Pattern. YAY! I’m working with a new-to-me print shop to print it out as a full color booklet on a spiral spine. When the physical book is in my actual hands, then I’ll list it in my shop. It was extremely difficult for me to write a pattern because I rarely use them! After I create a quilt improvisationally, then I write a pattern for it. I think most people do it the other way around where they create the design, then the quilt. Anyway, it’s done and edited. I wanted to use the test quilt I’m making for my daughter as the cover quilt, but that won’t be done for a while. I’m using it to practice on the longarm, and it’s going to take some time before it’s finished.
The Longarm
That’s right, I don’t think I’ve even written about the new-to-me longarm I got last year! After some interesting connections, I was able to attain a longarm from an acquaintance of a friend. They didn’t have room for the machine in their home any longer, so we got it! After we got it set up and I started working on it, I noticed a problem right away. Of course, it immediately had an issue – probably why it was free.
Frustratingly, the machine would only stay on for about 10 minutes at a time. Recently, I’ve been having back issues and I don’t wan’t to stand for too long anyway, so I justified it and kept doing shortened sessions. Then finally one day, it stopped completely. I quickly scrambled to find a service technician who could stop by. Of course, since it’s an older machine, there are no technicians located here in Portland. Finally, I found someone in Utah who helped me.
It took $400 to get a new circuit board, then some time to figure out how to install it. But I got it to work!!! At least for a little bit, after about 30 minutes of quilting the whole machine just seized. I couldn’t turn the hand wheel to move the needle, it was so bad. In the following two weeks, I spent all my extra time re-oiling the machine and working it through all its parts. It was hard work, but afterwards I got that machine to hum!
Life Stuff
Honestly, quilting has been moved to the back burner of my life. I’m trying to fight my way back to feeling creative – but it is very difficult right now. Life stress can affect health. So I’ve been avoiding the news, and cut way back on my social media intake and output. I’m taking daily 2 mile walks and trying to meet neighbors. I’ve been calling my representatives weekly – sometimes daily, and I also spend a lot of time with my cat Taz.
How are you coping?
Hi Gail,
I stumbled across your blog while searching for local makers of antifa patches, and your creative path just blows me away! Your work is stunning. As a life-long sewist (once garment snob, turned into a pandemic quilter with the help of my dearest friend and neighbor), I’d say I’m an intermediate quilter and am also finding myself making up patterns more and more as I dive into improv. Your story and dear heart, processed through such beauty, is an incredible beacon.
I’d like to reach out and say hello, and I hope that you start feeling better. If you’d like to communicate about creative expression, I would love to chat. I left dear Multnomah Village to live in LO where I teach French. I really get the day job interfering with our creative efforts!
I’d also be curious to know if you are still a member of Portland’s Modern Quilt Guild – I’d like to join one possibly in the new year, but not sure if Beaverton’s or Portland’s would be the best fit for me.
Thanks for reading!
Lisa Grimm
Hi Lisa! Thanks for reaching out – I’ve been terrible at being present on my blog due to emotional stress. I would love to connect to more creative types locally. You should definitely check out the PMQG – what a great group of people!