encoder replacement and bull going on

I got the new encoder today. I was hopeful it would fix it. That lasted about 3 seconds. The new one sort of didn't fit. I took the  big thick rubber rings off the wheel part and put the o-rings from my old one on it and it seems to fit and roll properly. It didn't fix the problem. I saw a wire hanging out of the plug then. The wire must have been partly broken and finally went completely. Or, the encoder was bad and I took it on/off enough and messed with it, that I broke the wire. Pretty disgusted. I am going to try to find an end that will fit from an electronics supplier. I can stitch a while in non regulated. I just don't want to. I could order a cable for it but then the whole machine needs lifted up and the cables changed.  It was a terrible let down.
   I had been piecing a bunch of patriotic quilts. I have a carpenter star that I need to put borders on. I have a 2nd Carpenter star blocks almost all made. My sewing machine is showing an extreme sign that it is almost dead. I can't do much without having a sewing machine. It is just pretty crappy having both machines messed up.
   Personal stuff in my life is sucking right now too. I am disgusted about the house. I would want anybody not to buy a house from their family's estate. I am feeling pretty burned and down about it. I spent part of the night pretty furious.

new chevron size 60x72

I am working out the details of doing a chevron with large blocks and finishing the quilt top as 62x73. I always see that the quilting has drawn it up a bit and I want to keep the size over instead of under. I cheated in a way by adding 1/2 inch to each square to get a bit bigger block and add 2 or 3 inches to the length and width. That works out well since the yard of fabric allows for the cuts to be 11.5".
I have am using almost a yard each of 2 blue, 2 reds and 2 whites. I think this makes it much easier to plan. I have planned to actually just cut some of these and use the pieces as triangles instead of sewing them together as a block and cutting one diagonal. I just have too many extra pieces and large amounts left over.
  My reds continue to be a problem with color bleeding and soaking them forever. I used boiling water on the worst one tonight.

Chevron's in the works

I have 4 chevrons in the works. I have 2 tops ready. I have ordered and should have the part for my longarm by Monday if it didn't arrive today. I sort of dread trying the part. If it doesn't work, the repairs will just be more money. That is the way it has been going. Anything going right means something else goes wrong. My sewing machine shutdown and went blank yesterday but then worked again. I suppose that is next to break down.
   I have been trying hard to use the fabrics to get the most out of them. I am back to the chevrons. I still have a hard time getting the amounts right. I don't feel like I am making much progress.  My first set of notes and charts have been redone more than once. I wanted to keep it to 2 reds, 2 blues and one white. I still ended up with mine planned with 3 blues, 2 reds, and 2 whites. I may have to add more reds to make the amounts I need. I have a bit more stash to search.

Side tracked by Carpenter Star

I have been side tracked by making a Carpenter Star. I think it is nice. I think it will look good. It took me forever... It is suppose to be a 4 hour job. I admit being distracted by family stuff. I admit being upset over family "stuff". I have a second Carpenter Star in the making. I have the borders cut for both. I stopped to figure yardage and stash to make at least one of these patriotic quilts for ME. I don't mean to make it right now. I just want to be careful about the large amount it will take and size of the squares. I have almost 5 yards of a nice denim color with stars. I have other patriotic blues and fabrics. I want a 70x90 chevron. It was going to take 77" of a dark blue. I have some seriously old stash that is really 45" wide! I will be able to cut the blue from it using 55". It is sad and irritating that the fabric today is 38 to 40 inches and has up to 1" selvages...and costs an arm and a leg.
  So making a Carpenter star was on my list. It isn't any more. I have admired all that I have seen. I was frustrated after sewing stuff together on the wrong end of the row and sewing one 3 times to get it right. I should have quit for the day. I still need to do the second one. Most of the blocks are done. I was tempted to make them into a pinwheel quilt. Doesn't really look as nice though.

chevron 8" blocks offset

I am starting the post for the next size offset chevron. I will add a bit more as I look at it. It is the same idea as the giant size but has a lot more piecing. It is 7 rows across and 7 down. The drawing has a piece separated at the bottom that will add 2 more rows to it for a larger quilt. Gotta double check my math.  The same quilt can be made using 8.5" squares for a 56x56" quilt OR a larger quilt
can be made with 11" squares for at least a 70x70" quilt. I also have a diagram to add 2 rows to the bottom of either size. This is a photo of my actual fabric blocks laid out on a bed from the 8.5" squares.