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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The Perseids Are Coming



The Perseids is the name of a prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle. The Perseids are so-called because the point they appear to come from lies in the constellation Perseus. The shower is visible from mid-July each year, with the peak activity this year between August 11th - 24th. During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour. They can be seen all across the sky, but because of the path of Swift-Tuttle's orbit, Perseids are primarily visible in the Northern Hemisphere. SO - eyes to the skies for some amazing inspiration.



PLAYING WITH BLOCKS



I decided to start chaining my puzzle pieces into 'twosies'. Still lots of playing with these.



I finished the hand quilting on my 'Raggedy Friends' and discovered I had used all my Kona black needed for the binding, so need a trip to my LQS. I fell across this bag of scraps yet to be 'played' with.




Some very bright and interesting string blocks are emerging. The perfect project to keep busy while waiting. I decided to make these larger than my 'norm' - 6.5" blocks that I will set with some hourglass blocks.



AN EXERCISE AND A TIP


I want you to watch what you do when you come to the end of a block piece. Do you hold the end with your right hand? Press the piece and see if that end of the block has a larger seam.



Or do you hold your block piece with your left hand? Press the piece and see if your seam ends are the same. Most sewing machines want to pull the fabric onto ALL the feed dogs - so it pulls to the right. By, also, holding with your right hand - you are 'helping' the machine to make that right pull, thus ending up with a larger seam on that end of your block. As I was told when learning to sew - SIT ON YOUR RIGHT HAND.

CLOSING WHIMSIE

' - Or would you like to swing on a star, Carry moonbeams home in a jar; And be better off than you are - Or would you rather be a fish?'
-Johnny Burke “Swinging on a Star”

Sewingly Yours
Sharon
at

22 comments:

  1. sunnyAugust 10, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Interesting sewing tip! I'll have to watch myself next time. THanks for the reminder about the meteor showers.

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  2. BillieBee (billiemick)August 10, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    I remember that song!

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  3. SunnybecAugust 10, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    I use my left hand does this mean I am actually doing something right (no pun intended!) I also slow right down when I come to the end to make sure I am still sewing straight. Linda

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  4. RomaAugust 11, 2011 at 3:16 AM

    So productive you are Ms.Sharon.

    Since I am a lefty with writing- I always end up with a smaller seam at the bottom if I am not careful.
    great tip for the "right ones"

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  5. MichelleAugust 11, 2011 at 3:16 AM

    I'd love to see a meteor shower.

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  6. SheilaAugust 11, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    Playing with blocks is looking very interesting. I must remind myself that you are working with very small squares. Lovely pile of scraps. Love what you have done with them. Must remember to do a little star gazing :D

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  7. JudyCinNCAugust 11, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    I always end up 'smaller' on the end. Have taken to using left hand to softly guide to keep the 1/4". Thanks for the tip. Judy C in NC www.shadetreequilting.com

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  8. Sarah CraigAugust 11, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    What is it about Kona black? Always seems to go missing just when you need it..... Thanks for the tip about the seam allowance - I'll watch out for that! Have a great day!!

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  9. LindaAugust 11, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Thank you so much for the tip about the seam allowance! That explains it!!!

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  10. Stray Stitches (Linda G)August 11, 2011 at 6:07 AM

    Thanks for the tip - guess it's time to sit on my right hand :)
    Interesting info on the Perseids. I'll have to venture outside after dark tonight.

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  11. SnoodlesAugust 11, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    That is so awesome! I realize now that is what I'm doing! Thanks for the great tip, Sharon!
    I really like your scrappy blocks...will the hourglass blocks be scrappy too?

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  12. rooeeAugust 11, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    great tip, i will try that! old habits die so hard with me!
    my Dad sang that song to me many times, thanks for the memory. going now to find it on youtube. smiling and humming..

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  13. StitchinByTheLakeAugust 11, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    Thanks for the info about the meteor shower. My grandchildren are here so we'll look tonight. And also for the tip - I'm pretty sure I use my right hand so I need to change that! blessings, marlene

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  14. Miss HillbillyAugust 11, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Thank you...I do have issues with pulling and I bet this will help a lot. I can't wait to try it!

    Also, when you string piece do you use a foundation like so many do? I am not sure the need for it. I give away all my scraps to someone (I've told you that before I think) but just in case for day...

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  15. CharAugust 11, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    Wow, thanks for the tip Sharon.

    You know I like the string blocks. I'm starting a new one soon myself the scrap bins are overflowing.

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  16. KatieQAugust 12, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    Thanks for the sewing tip. I am convinced you are a mind reader. Last week, I was putting together some rail fence blocks from strips I had sewn. I noticed that some of the strips were narrower on the bottom. It was only the strips I sewed on my Viking Sapphire. The others were sewn on my Brother machine. I thought my machine needed an adjustment. I sewed some strips this morning after reading your post and sure enough, when I didn't use my right hand to guide the end of the strip it was straight. I never noticed that with any of my other machines. Thanks for saving me a trip to the repair shop.

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  17. PattilouAugust 12, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    I've noticed that little serge going at the end of sewing. I do use my left hand to keep it straight, cause I hate having to resew the seam. I also keep pieces of cut off fabric to run through so I don't have threads to cut--it's a bit like having leaders and enders only when I don't have those, I just use and reuse that old scrap until it's so full I can just chuck it into the trash.

    Without your little tip I wouldn't have know that you should "sit on your right hand". Good tip for sewing!! Thanks.

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  18. Diane E WAugust 12, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Did not know that. I will have to pay attention and make sure I use my left hand, I think I do but not sure.

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  19. BritaAugust 12, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Thanks for posting the tip about the Perseids --- I'd forgotten! I do use my left hand to guide my seams, and I try to remember to tell my newbie friends to do that. And sitting directly in front of the needle helps, too.

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  20. krisgrayAugust 12, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    I seem to recall my home ec teacher saying something about sitting on your right hand - or maybe it was my mom. That's why it always looks so strange to see people placing pin heads on the the left side of the needle, pulling them out with their left hands - it's the right hand that's free to pull pins.

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  21. LynetteAugust 12, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    Huh! I never knew that - fortunately I've always guided with my left, anyway. :)

    Maybe we'll get to see some perseid showers while we're driving across the continent the next few days!

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  22. KrisAugust 14, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Hi Sharon - I have been out every night (when I get up to go to the bathroom around 2-3 a.m. and have not seen the Perseids meteor shower yet!! Have you seen it?? Also, I am glad I am left-handed because I guide my fabric with my left hand!! :-)) Kris

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