Ergonomics of FMQ!

"Design factors, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by minimizing operator fatigue and discomfort"

When I was younger, I never really thought about ergonomics, but I'm finding that it plays a huge role for me in quilting, especially FMQ. When a sewing machine sits on a table, the bed of the machine is several inches higher. Just like a keyboard for a computer, it is much better to have it lower than table height. So to remedy this I bought a very cool new chair at Sew Creative! ( Sew Creative is a great quilt/fabric/sewing machine store in Fairport, NY - Best stock of modern quilt fabrics in the area) It's a Koala sewing chair, the only chair I could find that would adjust at a high enough height for me.

This chair is great, especially since I'm using it at a 3 day sewing retreat!

Everybody gets their own table!

Isn't this a great room for quilting??!!

I think there is about a dozen quilt ladies here and I would say over half bring there own chair. What that tells me, ergonomics is important. (Note: most of these ladies have been quilting forever! Amazing what I learn from them!)


I'm off to go quilt!


Color Me Quilty!


Pat

WIP Wednesday # 2: Making Progress

It's W.I.P. Wednesday, time to link-up over at Freshly Pieced. Well, I feel like I had a productive week (of course I did have a 3 day sewing retreat).

1. Finished my third quilty purse: successful birthday present

2. Finished the Ladies of the Lake Pillows: 1st Christmas Present Complete

3. Lock stitched (stitched in the ditch ) my Cubic Rhythm quilt

4. I also worked on my Hip to Be Square FMQ Sampler and FMQ samples

Hip to Be Square

Slate Tiles

Weekly statistics:
In-process: (6)
Hip to be Square FMQ sampler (14 out of 30 blocks quilted)
Cubic Rhythm (lock stitched)
Table runner
Purple heart wall hanging
Expanding Possibilities quilt
Free-Motion practice samples (Slate tiles - linked up at Fluffy Sheep Quilting)

New projects in the cue to start: (2)
FLMQG solids challenge crib quilt (Not started)
New Wave quilt (not started

Projects completed this week: (2)
Quilty purse #3
Ladies of the Lake pillows

I hope I can be as productive next week! Time to hop on over to Freshly Pieced and see what everyone else accomplished this week.



Well, just Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Quilting Immersion

I just finished my three day local quilting retreat. What a delight to sew with such wonderful ladies! Thank you to both Sues for organizing the event. For three days we sewed, shared, and told stories. I truly understand why my mom loved these ladies so much, and I thank them for including me into their group. Of course, I forgot take pictures until the very  end, but what a wonderful space we had at the S. Perinton United Methodist Church.

And of course, I always expect I can get more done than I actually do get done. At least I finally finished quilty purse #3! Just-in-time for my step-daughter's birthday last night, PHEW!

Quilty Purse # 3

Front pocket

Back

Button detail

Zipper detail

Wood covered bottom

You can see quilty purse # 1 and #2 here and here.

The ladies already have the next retreat planned for January! Yippee, Skippee, count me in!

Just Color Me Quilty!

Pat

RETREAT!!!!

Three whole days! I get to sew for three whole days with some wonderful ladies that have quilted forever! I always learn so much from them and many of them knew my mom.  Does it get any better?

I'm all packed up, trying to remember what I forgot. I'm taking my Babylock Ellegante because she has a bigger throat and I want to be able to FMQ (and it's only fair, I took my Esante to the beach). Both of my "girls" need to get out and see the sights, don't you think?

This is a (semi) local retreat so I will have my evenings free. Tonight is my class at Sew Creative where I get to try out the new Pfaff Creative Sensation. FUN! And with having all this time to sew, I should be able to finally finish my latest quilty purse and several other projects. I'm hoping to have something cool to show tomorrow for FMQ Friday that Cindy over at Fluffy Sheep Quilting is organizing!

Sew for now, Color Me Quilty!

Pat