The Long Arm Quilting Retreat turned out to be a real highlight for the year so far for me.  I taught classes, which it turns out was a lot of fun and quite rewarding. I met some of the greatest ladies and had a wonderful time at the retreat.  While preparing for the classes, I learned a lot!  The jitters I experienced about actually teaching anyone else went away after the first 30 seconds.  Quilters are such great people; they support each other and are always eager to help one another. This retreat was the first I have ever attended.  I plan on attending a sewing retreat late in September and that will be another first.

Through the Internet I’ve made many friends involved in quilting.  One of them is a fellow long arm quilter located in Texas who sold me my first Singer Featherweight.  I am absolutely in love with that little machine which came to me named “Emma”. My friend has been so helpful with any and all questions I have had regarding her.  He even helped me win an Ebay auction for a walking foot for her.  Now I have convinced my guild into starting a branch off group dedicated to Featherweights.  What fun??!!!!

Going from a Long Arm machine to the small Featherweight can be like walking though history. I also have a treadle sewing machine, which has been my family since it was new.  I started thinking I should get it out and play a little with it too.  I did just that; it needed cleaning, a new bobbin ring,  and a new belt.  I found out they are readily available at most sewing repair shops.  Just as I was feeling great about having all my machines up and running properly I had to put them away and get back to business with the my APQS Millie.  I love creating with the long arm and am rewarded with happy customers.  I miss seeing the surprise and happy expressions on customer’s faces when I do quilts that are shipped back and forth.  In this fast paced and instant world we live and thrive in today, sometimes we miss a little.  I have “met” many customers I am beginning to know well even though they live across the US.  Quilting is the magic that pulls us together.  

When I quilt for long distance customers I involve them as much as possible using the Internet and telephone.  Pictures of proposed designs go back and forth and progress pictures if they wish are forwarded as well.  Some don’t want the progress pictures as they like the surprise of the opening their box and seeing their top now morphed into a quilt.

I’ve made many new friends this year and look forward to continuing that trend and continuing my list of ‘Firsts’ as I journey along in quilting. 

Happy Stitching,

Shar