Quick update

My longarm is back in service! Yay!

The problem was the bobbin case and as soon as I saw the new one there was no doubt. Notice the clasp on top of the case on the right. I’m sure that happened when I dropped it. The screw that holds it in place was still tight but the metal thing was definitely not right.

I didn’t even want to try bending it back in place on the off chance that I might make things worse, like cause the machine to jump timing. I know from past experience that’s a $700 housecall and several weeks wait for the appointment.

I quilted a guild Community Outreach top and it worked just fine. I think the stitches even look better on the back now. I used a “Mod Dots” design board by Urban Elementz to quilt it (a PVC version of a pantograph used with a stylus). I think it mimics the balls of yarn the cats are playing with in the quilt top.

I also made a sample block with the Kaffe fabric scraps. I’m glad I did because I quickly realized I’m not going to be able to make one block a day like I’d planned.

There are 17 logs in each block (41 pieces). I like to press the log before I add the next one. I was constantly getting up and down. This one block took over an hour to make.

Plan B: Cut out all the blocks, label everything well, and sew one log on all 24 blocks each day. I’d much rather get up once to press 24 pieces, than to get up 17 times.

I really do like the block. I may just finish this quilt for the bed in our guest room/home office. It’ll make the room feel like a tropical getaway. 🙂