I don't think of myself as any sort of machine quilting expert, but I am competent at it. My stitches come out even enough, and my quilts hold together. I manage to avoid the major flaws like puckers, ripples, loops, and pleats. This has been enough to earn me a measure of fame in the local guild I rejoined after a 7 year break. The program chair asked me to do a demo.
It was set-up as stations. In other corners of the room, other people were demonstrating other quilting skills. Guild members could gather around one table, watch, ask some questions, wander off and return. And they asked good questions! Some were beginners who needed to see how I put the free-motion foot on my machine and learn what feed dogs are. Others were examining my stitches closely and noticing how often my top thread shows on the bottom. I'd put myself to the test by bringing demo pieces consisting of a quilt sandwich with unbleached muslin on top and bottom, and then using green thread on the top and orange thread in the bobbin so everyone could see. Normally I'd match the thread to the fabric so flaws are minimized.
I brought books for them to look through. Harriet Hargrave and Maurine Noble. They've been on my shelf for ages. It could do me good to have another look through them for some more advanced techniques.
The hardest part of doing a demo like that is packing up the car and remembering everything: sewing machine, practice sandwiches, books, smart-alecky hand-out of frequently asked questions. I forgot scissors and made do with a seam ripper. I would have shown them how to finish off threads if I'd had a needle.
A night like that did my ego a world of good. It was like being surrounded by admirers. I imagine Sheppe used to feel like that at the vet. (Unlike the current dog, the old dog adored people and hated being alone. Poking and prodding never bothered her as long as people were paying attention to her. At the vet, she'd be surrounded by 3 people all looking at her, and she was on a table!) Today I'm paying for good time with a sore neck and back. I've taken my meds and will go to the gym to see if the exercise helps.
--Lia