Learning Ruler Quilting, and, Mystery Quilt

I took a ruler foot class today.  I've been wanting to learn how to quilt using rulers.  I purchased the ruler foot set back in April, before I even signed up for the class.  I'd asked for a set similar to this one for Christmas, but, didn't get it.  This set was much cheaper than the set I'd asked for.

this is the set I got

I went out of town, shortly after the set arrived, so, I never got around to playing with it.  All of the sudden, late last week, I realized that the class was only a few days away.  Oops!  I did play with some of the rulers yesterday, while cleaning my machine, and getting everything ready for the class. 

There were 12 of us in class, so, it took a while for us to get going, since so many machines needed to be checked, and adjusted.  Mine had had perfect tension on Saturday, while testing the foot and rulers, but, when I got to class today, my tension was terrible.  I finally gave up, and just pulled out different thread and bobbin, and, wouldn't you know, the tension worked great.  REALLY, same brand thread, just different colors. 

First, we tried some straight lines, with the ruler that comes with the foot (starter kit, I got the bonus kit).  Then I turned my ruler around, and tried the rounded edge.  Not bad.

first few tries

Next, I pulled out a ruler from the bonus kit, and tried it.  Clam shells on one side and half circles on the other side.

next ruler

Shortly before the class ended, the teacher showed us a different tool that we could use.  I had some of the rulers to go with this tool, so, I bought the tool.  It is to help us mark the quilting lines, so that we could line up the special rulers properly. 

special tool

After using the special tool to mark my sample piece, this is what I stitched.

last stitching

I could have done this in 2 different colors, layered, but, class was ending, so, no time.  I knew that if I didn't try this in class, I'd forget how it was done.  Not only am I a visual learner, but, I'm also a hands on learner.  If I don't do it myself, I'll never remember how to do it. 

I may have to leave my Janome set up on the dining room table, and play with this.  I don't have room to set the Janome up in my sewing room, since I need the extension table, in order to do this properly.  I don't have any place to set up the extension table in my sewing room. 

***Warning about old electrical parts***  Yesterday, hubby and I took a machine out of the base, so that hubby could glue the base back together for me.  I'd never tried this machine out.  I got this machine back in January, when I was still having problems with my elbow, and didn't want to mess with it then.

late 1940's Japanese class 15

This machine came with a motor, and some wiring that had been taped with electrical tape.  Hubby and I decided to plug it in, to see if the motor turned (no belt, so, I was holding the motor in my hand).  As soon as I tapped the foot pedal, BOOM!  The motor blew sparks, and out shot the end of the cord, where it attached to the motor.

you can see the end of the cord, and, the hole where it is supposed to be attached, along with the carbon from the burn

Sparks landed on the cutting mat below.  It now has tiny spark burns on the mat.  Thank goodness this isn't one of my good mats.  I'd just brought this old mat downstairs, so that I could cut some things on the dining room table.  I'm thinking that this motor is toast!  Glad I can turn this machine into a hand crank easily.

The reason I needed to do some cutting downstairs, is because I'd covered my cutting table upstairs so that I could take my ironing board out.  Hubby helped me recover the ironing board yesterday.  I didn't take a new picture, but, this is what it looked like when hubby first made the top for me.

enlarged top to ironing board

I had to recover this, since, the Teflon surface didn't like some starch I'd used, a while back.

I really wanted the ironing board recovered before I started prepping for Kevin's Mystery Quilt Along, Sapphire Stars.   I'd pulled out my blues, reds, yellows and a few neutrals, and washed them.  I've experienced so much bleeding with quilt shop quality fabrics the past few years, that I prewash ALL my fabrics before I use them.  The link above tells you what you will need for this Mystery.  The next link is to Clue #1.  Other than the size difference, this is the same thing I've been working on for my Family Reunion quilts.  Easy peasy!  Now, to start cutting, so that I can start stitching. Check out the Mystery, it isn't too late to join.

I offered a machine to someone, and yesterday, they drove up and picked it up.  I forgot to take pictures, and I don't think I even have a picture of the machine.  It was a Singer 66 with Lotus decals.  I already have a machine like this (with better decals).  This machine will be put into a lovely treadle base.  I'm glad it now has a home where it will be used.  More machines will be going out the door in the next 5 weeks, since I'll be attending 2 different TOGA's (Treadle On Gathering & Academy) in 2 different states (Michigan and Tennessee).  I'll also be getting some treadle irons out of the garage.  Woohoo!  I've been needing to 'downsize' my collection a bit.  I even resisted taking another machine for a trade for the treadle irons (an embossed White in a Martha Washington cabinet, that needs work).  GOOD GIRL!  We'll see how well I continue to do, over the next few weeks ;)

Hope you are having a great weekend, and have a Happy Forth of July!