Tuesday, May 17, 2011

I'M AN IDJIT~

Since funds are at an all-time low, I'm finding myself entering more and more giveaways. 
I have so many things I need/want.  I need my own laptop (thank God for this work-issued one).  I need a newer phone - mine is almost six years old, has seen better days, and only sends/receives phone calls/texts.  I need better lighting in my sewing room - the overhead light is just not giving me the lighting I need to see my projects.  Do you have some lighting you love/hate you can tell me about?  I'd love to have a Sidewinder - what a wonderful thing that would be.  I'd love to be able to take some quilting classes so I can gain more confidence in myself as a quilter.  I agonize over every single stitch I make.  I make stupid mistakes. 
Of course, a large part of that is because I don't sew that often.  I moved back to the US from Germany in July 2008, and my sewing machine didn't even get unpacked until recently.  I made my first quilt when my granddaughter was born in July 2005.  Since that time, I think I’ve made five more quilts.  It is always such a long time between quilts that I feel as though I'm starting over.  About the only thing I can remember with any certainty is the fact that my seams should be 1/4".  Everything else is like Greek and I have to pull notes or go to the internet to figure out how to do them.  I can't remember things like:  Binding issues - the width I should cut the fabric for the binding, how to sew the strips for the binding, how to join the final section of the binding; Stitch Length:  I went from a "regular" sewing machine to a new "electronic" sewing machine, so now instead of setting a stitch length of 10, 12, etc, I have to set the stitch length at 2.0, 2.5, etc.  I am constantly searching the internet for guidance when I hit a dead-end.  AND...GUESS WHAT???  I got another virus on my work-issued laptop last night.  Searching for quilting advice.  This is the second time in a month I've gotten a virus on my work-issued laptop.  That's not good.  Not good at all.
Maybe God is trying to tell me in subtle terms I don't need to buy myself a laptop until I can learn to be a good little girl and stay away from infected websites.  Who would have thought I'd get a virus looking for quilting advice????  I'm definitely an idjit when it comes to computers, I guess. (I'm sure if my DD#1 was reading this, she would say HECK YEAH!!!)

7 comments:

rosie said...

You are so not an idjit, I wish I was closer I could help you with quilting questions (I think) but I am not too good with the computer either.. Don't give up on quilting, it's just that you have other things to do...

Shay said...

Dont be too hard on yourself Deb. Some of those viruses are so easy to pick up. Get work to upgrade your firewalls and anti virus security program and next time you need quilting advice pop in here and post your question or email. Or use the big sites because they're usually safe.

I want a ton of things too ...but the universe knows I dont really need them . (I think my phone is a hand me down from Noah when he loaded animals on the ark )

quiltzyx said...

Hmmm, you're sounding a bit like my oldest sister, who is her own worst critic! Stop that!!
I thought about getting a sidewinder too...but decided that I could just wind a few bobbins before I start & not worry about it.
For lighting, I have a floor lamp from IKEA on one side of my machine that look like one of those klieg lights from the movies, & on the table, on the other side I have an Ott folding desk lamp. I got the Ott light at Office Depot when it was on sale one time & it was a lot cheaper than I had seen one before. (It was quite a while ago, but maybe it was $20 - $25 then). I've heard you can get a good deal on them with coupons at JoAnn's too.
I've been very lucky, computer-wise. But then, I have a fear of downloading, so I usually only LOOK at stuff online. I only d/load if it is from someone I know. I don't click on links in emails if I don't know where it's going. Blah, blah blah!
As for my stitch length, unless I'm quilting or paper-piecing, I generally just turn in on & sew with the default length. Easy peezy for piecing!
:^)

Sarah Craig said...

I can only repeat, get a Mac! Lots fewer viruses out there for Macs... Also, have you seen Quilting 101 on Chasing Cottons, Rebecca Johnson's blog? It's an awesome (free) quilting class spread out over several weeks. Rebecca is a very talented quilter and designer but very humble and down to earth and wonderfully willing to share her skills with everyone! It's been going on for a few weeks, but if you'll go to her blog, she's got a tab up top with links to all the posts.

With the new electronic machine, take some scrap fabric and sew on it with a contrasting thread, then measure the stitches per inch with your tape measure. Then you'll know what 2.5, 3.0 etc. equates to.

And don't panic so much about your quilting - it's supposed to be fun! We learn from our mistakes, and sometimes create something awesome because of a "mistake"!

Beena said...

I know it's more expensive, but if you get a MAC, even if it's not a laptop, that virus issue is gone. A MAC is definitely worth the extra pennies in what its users avoid in aggravation, viruses, and down time! And not all MACs carry a hefty price tag. The Mac-Mini is pretty affordable, and then just add a monitor and stir!

If you know to keep your seams a quarter inch when quilting, then I'd say you're doing just fine! It's not rocket science! Maybe you'll get something new in the mail from a giveaway (hint, hint) that makes you want to sew!

Blessings,
Beena

Debra Dixon said...

You can always email me with your quilting questions.

Start a little notebook with samples. I still have a sample of the width of my binding in my drawer because sometimes out of the blue I forget if it is 2 or 2½" that I like.

I had 6 fluorescent fixtures mounted on my ceiling and it is the best lighting ever. Now I can work in my room at night if I want. Perfect!

Crystal said...

Thanks for visiting my blog, Deborah. I have a granddaughter who is turning 5 next month and she loves to sew! I often take my machine over when I babysit and she is happy to sit on my knee and guide the fabric. She lays out the fabric and builds forts or makes play blankets for her dolls. We are dangerous in the local quilt shop together! It is just the best thing to see her develop this love. She picked the purple fairy fabric on my giveaway :) You are certainly on a winning streak lately.