My New Quilting Assistant!

I have a new Assistant! My husband Dan has learned to use the longarm.

He has done 2 cheater quilts to be donated to the Veterans home, 2 NICU quilts that he loaded and quilted on the same backing and this big one.
Here he is checking the stitches on the back after he finished.

Dan really didn't have this quilt loaded for a week, I just haven't updated the blog. I think he may have had it on Mabel for 2 days, which is pretty good considering the quilt was 84x94.

We chose Erin as the pantograph, partly because it was already on the table and also, it's an easy one.

And here's the back:

He's doing a really good job!

When he's not working on the longarm, you might find him repairing a sewing machine. His blog is here. If you need a machine serviced, contact him through his blog.

Dan's Parents

I'm so glad I got lots of cleaning and quilting done last weekend, so I could spend time with Ed and Marilyn this week. They've been visiting from Boulder, Colorado and I'm just amazed at how many good friends they still have here in Lafayette. I even got Marilyn to run Mabel this morning, but Dan has the pics on his camera and he's dozing right now. We have enjoyed their visit so much and it's going to be hard to say goodbye tomorrow morning.



Don't they look great? I hope I look as good in 25 years.

Keeping it in the Family!

As you may or may not know, my husband Dan has started a sewing machine repair business. While the business is starting up, he's been buying sewing machines at garage sales and flea markets. He services them and sometimes refinished the cabinets and then sells them. He has learned so much in these past few months and I suggested that he start a blog.

So, on Tuesday, he did just that. If you want to check out, here is: Perfect Stitch

I believe that it was at Mary's cookie exchange last December that Mona and Colleen made the suggestion to me that he should start servicing machines.

Stitch-Fixer

That's the new name we've chosen for my husband. Maybe we need joint business cards: Ruthie's Quilting and Stitch-Fixer!

Last week Dan attended Sewing Machine Repair School in Shipshewana, given by Ray White.



He really enjoyed the class and learned a lot. It's been interesting hearing him talk about sewing machines, the perfect stitch, and figuring out problems in the machines he's collected.

And now he's certified! Do you have a machine to be serviced?

Dan's Back and A Baby Quilt

I only worked for an hour this morning and then came home to care for Dan, who has pulled something in his back again. He spent most of Friday through today resting with ice and lots of Advil and Tylenol. He got in to see Dr. Clark this afternoon and is feeling much better. He will still not be able to go to work, but I'll feel ok leaving him for the day tomorrow now that he can walk again.

I did get a chance to load and quilt this lovely quilt made by Peggy and Kathy. I believe it's for a co-worker expecting a baby. Isn't it just cute as can be? I love how the secondary designs come out. Sometimes I see stars and sometimes I see square-in-a-square.



Daisy Swirl panto, Permacore eggshell thread and Hobbs 80/20 batting.



And the back: