Sunday, April 2, 2017

Basted Chicken

Embroidery added to the branch
The handwork I did to finish the chicken appliqué and embroidery on the Mt. Hood/Oregon project took a toll on my body. Last week, I pushed myself too far. Instead of stopping when I felt the numbness in my left arm, I stitched for another 15 minutes. The following morning, I couldn't raise my arm to brush my teeth or my hair!

Fortunately, I had a chiropractic appointment already on my schedule. I went and although the adjustments helped, I still couldn't move without pain. . .this included breathing! The chiropractor suggested a massage. I was fortunate again because someone had canceled and the massage therapist that I see regularly had an opening.

Again, the massage helped; but, I still was sore.  Although I was able to scratch my head, it was painful to do it. I took it easy for three days. I missed stitching; but, I also didn't feel like stitching either! Every day, I felt a little better so that by the fourth day, I prepared and stitched the back for the chicken.

Two pillow cases ready to stitch
On the fifth day, I cut a couple pillow cases to use the extra back fabric and feather fabric that I purchased so long ago! I am determined that the remaining pieces don't go back into the stash!

On the sixth day, I layered and basted the chicken. (Did you think that I was sharing a recipe because of the Basted Chicken title?? ) The top was lumpy. I'm thinking that when I added the leaves/vines that traveled across the blocks, I stretched the blocks as I stitched. It is going to be tough to "quilt out" that fullness. I'm going to give it a try!









Chicken ready for quilting
Basted chicken looks so much better to me than the chicken as a top. After having the project hang out in the studio for the past decade, it is exciting to have it to the quilting phase!

I'm still on the mend; but, I am moving so much better. I did help with setting up the equipment for our guild's quilt show yesterday. I paced myself. When the equipment was in place and the quilts were starting to be hung, I went home. I'm glad I stopped when I did. Tomorrow, I get to see the quilts. . . all 300 plus of them . . .Saturday, body willing, I'll help with the take down of the show. More to come!


4 comments:

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear you were in such pain! You really need to take care of yourself so you can continue to do this for years and years to come. But it sure is exciting to have made so much progress on your chicken quilt! I look forward to seeing how you decide to quilt it. If you're careful about it, you really can quilt out a lot of fullness.

Anonymous said...

I hope you keep feeling better. I'm looking forward to seeing how you quilt this!
Karen Fitzpatrick kfstitcher

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Thanks, Nancy. I need to pay closer attention to my body's signal and then act accordingly. I sure hope I can quilt out that fullness!!!!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Karen, I'm thankful that I can move with more ease now. I will get going on quilting the chicken soon!!!