My bee friends and I are really enjoying Lori Holt’s Farm Girl Vintage Sew-Along on her blog- Bee In My Bonnet.
The online Sew-Along, which debuts a new block or two every Friday, started on May 1st, when I was frantically sewing up some new clothes for our upcoming cruise.
Then I was gone on the cruise for three weeks, so I’ve spent the last few weeks since getting home catching up on the blocks I missed, and also collecting more fabrics for the style of the quilt. I’ve never been a small print fabric lover… the thirties were never my “thing”, so I had none in my stash…so you know what that means-
TIME TO SHOP!! LOL!!
In order to keep the many tiny pieces needed for each block organized, I made six small mini-design boards according to Lori’s online tutorial found HERE!
Also, the Fat Quarter Shop sells small hard plastic pieces with the alphabet and numbers on them, which help you keep all those small pieces organized to coordinate with Lori’s lovely directions.
I’ll show you a photo of the organized cut pieces for each block, and then the finished block! Here are my blocks so far, starting with “Apron Strings” block on May 1st-
May 8th included two blocks- “Autumn Star”
and “Baby Chick”-
May 15th included two blocks- “Baking Day”
and “Butter Churn”
May 22nd included two blocks- “Canning Season”
and “Chicken Foot”
May 29th included two blocks- “Churn Dash”
and “Cool Threads”
June 5th included two blocks- “Corn and Tomatoes”
and “Country Crossroads” 
June 12th included two blocks - “Crops”
and “Egg Basket”
I’ve been living with a good deal of pain in my knees for a few years, but it’s been getting really bad lately, so I decided to get it checked out. I went to my orthopedic doctor on Tuesday, and he told me both my knees are beyond bone on bone and are no longer aligned at all and need to be replaced. The right one is the worst, so we will start with that one on July 6th! So, I’ll be trying to get ahead on the Farm Girl Vintage blocks and get some projects lined up that I can do by hand downstairs. My sewing room is upstairs, so won’t be able to do the stairs for a while!! So, any of y’all out there already have had one or two total knee replacements? Any words of wisdom to share??
Yogi is really worried about my upcoming surgeries…
Hi Polly, I love all your Farm Girl blocks! You have great fabric choices. Sorry to hear about your knees. My mom had one replaced last year and healed quickly--the key was movement immediately. Lots of handwork will help cure it too. :0)
ReplyDeleteLove your progress on this SAL. Yesterday I received my copy of this book so looking forward to catching up. I have been taking notes ready for my start. Happy Stitching.
ReplyDeleteLove your blocks! Sorry about your knees hope the surgery will go well. I don't know about knees but what I know is that you should do exactly what the docs tell you and don't try to outsmart them. My brother's girlfriend's dad had hip surgery last year and he was smarter then everybody else ... now he is in pain and needs a second surgery, can't be helped.
ReplyDeleteLoving your Farm Girl blocks. Your design boards and letters are fabulous idea..
ReplyDeleteYou won't know yourself after your knee surgery. I have known a few ladies that had it and are very happy after surgery.
Great idea to have some hand sewing organised and do as the doc says... Good luck.
You sewed up a storm making all those blocks.
ReplyDeleteI have had both knees replaced. The recuperation was harder with the first one than the second. Once the recuperation is over, you should be good to go and be glad you did it.
Ironic timing, I am actually recouping from knee replacement that I had on May 19th, I had the 1st one on Jan 20 of this year 4 months apart. The first felt a little easier than the 1st, but I will tell you that when I had the 1st one done and I stould for the 1st time I couldn't believe there was no pain in my knee! You have the healing pain but the knee joint pain will be gone. Physical therapy is the key, 1st 2 weeks were tough but then it's like magic and you will want to go and then you will be amazed. I am so glad I had them done, I was like you the doc said he didn't know how I could walk. My knees became knock kneed. But they are straight as a board now. I prepped a lot of hand wool work and embroidery. I also bought a recumbent bike to use everyday to keep the joints from getting stiff. This is very long so if you have any questions please feel free to email me. thehometownquilter@charter.net. I wish you luck, but you are going to be so happy :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't used to be a 30's fabric fan myself, but I'm falling in love with the looks they create! I especially love Corn and Tomatoes. Hmmm...I think I'd love to do this quilt!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that you need new knees. My dad got two new knees in the same year several years ago. He was the doctor's star patient because he did all of his exercises. Praying for the best!
Laurie
Love all the fabrics you picked. I just gave in and started myself. Only on the 5th block.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are so pretty, and you've done a great job catching up. It sounds like you need to move your sewing machine downstairs for now! One can only do so much hand stitching before craving the machine again! When I was trimming those 450 HSTs, a friend told me she lowers her ironing board and sits on the end of her bed to trim. This could be a way for you to cut fabric while you recuperate and be ready go fly again on your sewing machine if you're unable to move it downstairs. Thanks for linking up to Tuesday Building Blocks on my blog today. I discovered your blog through it and am excited to be looking around. Could you link back to the link-up in your post?
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are so pretty, and you've done a great job catching up. It sounds like you need to move your sewing machine downstairs for now! One can only do so much hand stitching before craving the machine again! When I was trimming those 450 HSTs, a friend told me she lowers her ironing board and sits on the end of her bed to trim. This could be a way for you to cut fabric while you recuperate and be ready go fly again on your sewing machine if you're unable to move it downstairs. Thanks for linking up to Tuesday Building Blocks on my blog today. I discovered your blog through it and am excited to be looking around. Could you link back to the link-up in your post?
ReplyDeletePolly, I follow your blog regularly and always love your work. I had a full knee replacement of my left knee on April 23rd. What a miracle. No pain. I couldn't believe the immediate difference. DO THE PT!! I had PT twice a week for four weeks and then once a week for three weeks. This was in addition to daily home PT which they say I will continue once a day for up to 9 months. I am so happy I have this behind me and in the midst of all of this I turned 70 on May 18th. I can now walk up and down stairs like a regular person!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law had her knee replaced...the key to her recovery was PT and she bought a stationary bike to ride every day. Now you would never know she had a knee replacement. I would definitely have the sewing machine moved down stairs and have lots of cutting finished and ready for sewing - you may only get 5 minutes a day at first, but you don't want sewing machine withdrawal!!!
ReplyDeleteYup, I do. Get them done one at a time. Work on your physio after the operation slowly and consistently because If you take on too much you will blow the knee out and have to get it done again. Biggest thing however, is to get some help moving the sewing room down to the main level where the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom are, as it will be a very long time before stairs are comfortable or even advisable to tackle. Best of luck. Lauren
ReplyDeleteTake your pain meds ON TIME if not a smidge sooner ...the first couple of days...Nurses will get you up the first day...keep on getting up! Don't get frustrated...the work you do in rehab WILL heal them and give you back your mobility so just keep keeping on... and finally... KNOW WE ARE THINKING ABOUT YOU and praying for your speedy recovery!
ReplyDelete