Bind This, Bind That!

Let the evening binding activity recommence!

It’s been a while since anything has been in my lap for binding.  I’m trying to think, but I believe it’s been more than a month.  Right around New Year’s Eve I believe.

What’s a girl to do with an empty binding queue?

I found myself needing to readjust a couple of things in my Quiltville Post Office work space.

Vintage sewing machine cabinets (Like some vintage folding card tables for sewing machines that I posted about last month) didn’t all come in a standard height.  The further you go back, the shorter the people were, and the shorter the sewing machine cabinets were as well.

Brainy moment and a quick fix:

Mid-century cabinet containing my 301.

(Has anyone seen my hotel room key seam guide? I can't find it anywhere! LOL!)

I love this cabinet (And yes, it came with the stool you see to the side, too – which is still too short for me to sit upon!) from the 1950s.  That blonde oak is so indicative of that time period, isn’t it? Bit it sits far too low for my 5’ 9’’ frame.

I sit in an ergonomic task chair, and while I can lower the chair, to get the chair to the correct height for the table top, The chair seat is too low and the reach of my legs too long to be comfortable for my knees.  It’s not as simple as raising or lowering a chair.

I braved the rain, went out under the side porch at Quiltville Inn next door, and grabbed 6 bricks.  I used 3 for each cabinet so they are the same height. (One machine stays with a walking foot specifically for the task of binding.

This will do for now.  It’s a much better height for me.  It will keep me from bending over a machine in too short of a table.

I can now have my chair at a comfortable height so there is no strain on my knees and I can reach the foot pedal comfortably.

They aren’t pretty – but the fact that these are site made bricks, circa 1880s makes me smile! I will come up with something better in the future.  It was just what I needed to comfortably tackle the job at hand.

While I was in a binding mood – this also happened:

The last of the tulip cushions also received binding!

I stitched it up first thing so it was done.

And then I proceeded to bind the Jack’s Delight quilt.

Yes I bind backwards from most folks.

But this is the way I am most comfortable.

I also don’t need any pins or clips to hold my binding over the edge as my left thumb holds it in place as I stitch to the left. (My hand is  holding the phone and taking this photo )  I just fold the binding over, hold it in place with my left hand and stitch with my right.  I use a ladder stitch for nearly invisible stitching.  38 years of binding, and this is what works for me. I am happy with this binding fabric choice!

With today’s Quilt of Valor group coming for a Sew Day at Quiltville Inn, and not knowing how many sewing stations will be occupied, I brought this quilt with me this morning so that I may just pull up a comfy chair in the Hen Den and enjoy some friendly stitching with other folks.

The wood stove is already fired up, warming and making things cozy.  The gas fireplaces in the Quilting Quarters are also lit – ready for quilters to arrive.

It rained all night – there was even a bit of snow this morning as I made my way to the Inn about 6:30am.  Clouds have now blown away – it’s still quite wet and windy so the big challenge will be getting everyone’s stuff into the house without having to walk across the soggy grass. That means front steps.  I’ll be on hand to help carry things in and out.

Framed and ready to hang!

And you can see, Dresden is curious as to what I am doing with this envelope in a frame.  It’s going to hang here at the QPO.  I’ll find the right spot.  It’s too precious not to keep this way.

I’ve been asked if I’m going to do a half-price pattern of the month for February. Yes.  And it is coming. I just have a few more things to do first – and we will only be running it for 2 weeks. But it is a special you won’t want to miss, so hold on to your hats!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

I love what Sandra Kring wrote:

"The Tiny Seed knew that in order to grow, it needed to be dropped in dirt, covered with darkness, and struggle to reach the light."

Keep pushing through the dirt and reaching up!

Have a Fabulous Friday, everyone!