Pushing Myself

Today, I am going to conquer my fears and free motion machine quilt this long and narrow piece on my HandiQuilter Avante.  I've read all of the instructions and watched the DVD, so I think I am ready.  Love the quote 'Do something that scares you everyday."  It took me a couple of days to fuse this piece.  I know I could have used something from the throw away pile, but why waste something?  I can use this for another project that I am working on with 5-1/2" and 11" squares.

Another view. The machine has been installed in my studio since mid-November.  Then my dad died, and my world changed, adding to moving my mom to an assisted living facility and then her passing less than a month ago.  So, I haven't really had time to get back on the horse, and teach myself how to use this amazing machine.

And, I am sewing!  Had a couple of glitches - didn't thread the machine correctly the first time, bobbin was a little weird, but then I was sewing right along.  It kept coming un-threaded, so that is an issue to work out.  The troubleshooting in the instruction book, has been helpful.  I need to just sit down and figure it out. 

I like the fact that it sews pretty darn fast.  I can see that I am going to need to buy the Micro Handles for detail work.  but, whoohoo!  I can see the possibilities of making larger work, and winding it onto the frame to quilt.