Another AWS block conquered

I'm happy to report that the rest of AWS Block #11 went together relatively smoothly.

Not quite all smooth sailing I'm afraid, one of the star points is too small and I ran out of the green stripe but I think the checked fabric adds a bit of interest.

I often forget that the blocks will be set on point so I probably should have fussy cut the centre differently but I'm not going to re-do anything on this block.

Looking at fabrics for the next block...

.... don't you just love it when you find the perfect fabric?

Cynthia by Mary Koval

I've also been doing some EPP for Gossip in the Garden. I'm not a huge fan of the glue method so I tried tacking without going through the papers.

I punched holes in the papers that came with the BOM to pin to the fabric when first cutting out.

Mini block for Part 6 - Gossip in the Garden

Hmmm, happy with the result, I quite liked this method. The papers were easy to take out and you don't have to remove the tacking stitches (they just lie underneath).

I have also been motivated by a recent blog post by Robyn at  a Dog Named Banjo on cleaning and oiling your machine. Luckily I checked my manual first as my Husqvarna shouldn't be oiled but I should definitely clean it more often.

Under the feed dogs

Around the bobbin case area.

You need to be careful to lift the dust out rather than push it down into the workings of the machine somewhere (that's also why you shouldn't try and blow out dust). If possible, you should also use the brush that came with your machine. 

Ewwwww!!!

I like the recommendation to do this once every 5 bobbin changes - hope I can remember! 

And yes, it would have been easier if I had removed the foot first :)

Hope you get some sewing time this weekend - and maybe even some sewing machine maintenance? Ok, I'll stop nagging now ;)

Cheers

Carole