Not quite a finish.

This week I worked Monday through Thursday and during that time had very little space for any sewing, embroidery or any other creative activity. Today was a day off and I was hoping to finish up the Christmas quilt top. I'd left it at the point that I had the blocks in the three rows sewn together and so today I wanted to sew the rows together and add the two borders. All was going well and I had the rows together and the inner border attached. I was adding the second side of the outer border when the needle broke for no apparent reason. Not a problem as I keep a good supply of different sized and types of needles, so the problem was soon resolved. I started sewing and the machine just didn't sound right and the stitch was awful. I spent a lot of time playing with the tension, I tried other needles. I even cleaned the bobbin compartment but there was minimal fluff. In the end I gave up and put my sewing away. I'll try and get the tension right when I get back from our weekend in Suffolk and if it still doesn't work then the machine will need a spa day to relax and unwind and  have the problem sorted out. I have another machine so I will get the quilt top finished but it is a little annoying. I put the quilt over a chair to take a photo since I was home alone. I'd been wondering where my quilting companion had been and found him on the back of the chair fast asleep. You can just see the dark shape. I didn't turn the light on as I didn't want to disturb him.

Here is a little more of the quilt. When I've finished it I'll get someone to hold it for me. The quilt will be 64 x 64 inches when complete.

I love the way the green stars look and they work so much better than a gold or yellow would have done.

John and I will be away in Suffolk walking this weekend but I've packed some hand stitching and my elf slipper knitting. I'm taking my camera as always but not sure if the weather is going to lend itself to photos. 

I'm linking this post with Sarah for Can I get a whoop whoop  If it hadn't been for the machine this would have been a finish but no problems as it will be in the very near future. For now I'm more than happy to have got this far with it. It's almost time to start thinking about which of my many projects to move forward next month.

Lyndsey