[Twinkletoes]

I bought a new sewing machine a few weeks ago and haven't used it much. I haven't sewn for several years and I really don't know how to make quilts (which I've been wanting to do now that I'm a Grandma).

So, I signed up for 4 half-day classes at this quilt retreat 100 miles away. The first day was a disaster because it wasn't for a beginner -- at least not THIS beginner. Other women commented how "relaxing" the class was. It was hot in the classroom and it just wasn't a good fit for me. I began to regret having signed up for 4 classes.

But my mood changed when I finally got my stuff cleaned up and wandered into another classroom and asked if anyone knew a good restaurant. The four ladies invited me to dine with them. WE HAD THE BEST TIME!!! Turns out two ladies are quilting teachers and best friends. (The other two were daughters of one lady). We shared stories and laughed and laughed.

There was this old, long-haired cowboy singing old cowboy songs at this little old restaurant. He and his two band members were just the background music. It wasn't a bar. There wasn't any room for dancing. He didn't self-promote or announce his songs -- he just had a tip jar.

Well, I noticed no one paid him any attention when his songs finished, so I applauded. He glanced my way and looked a little surprised. After the next tune, the ladies at my table began to clap and he got this amused/embarrassed look on his face. It wasn't long before just about everyone in the place joined in when he finished a tune!

The next day I enjoyed my classes, but I was still the SLOWEST in the class. It totally reminded me of school daze. It just takes me longer to wrap my head around a project and do it to my satisfaction. *sigh*

Anyhow, my DH joined me Friday night for a dinner and theater date. The little town of just over 1,000 people annually honor the heroism of their ancestors who saved the townspeople from starvation back in 1864. http://www.quiltwalk.org/the-panguit...alk-story.html

The play we saw told how 7 men braved the elements to make a 80 mile round trip thru the deep mountain snow to get provisions from another town. After a offering a prayer for help, they discovered the quilt they were kneeling on kept them from sinking into the snow. Even when they carried heavy sacks of grain on the return trip, they used their quilts in kind of a conveyor-belt fashion to keep from sinking into the chest-deep snow.

The accompanying yummy Dutch oven dinner was served by cute young people dressed in pioneer fashion. They were so polite and were obviously happy to be there.

Well, the next day (yesterday) was Saturday and I only had one class to take. It happened to be taught by the ladies that were my new friends. As usual, I didn't keep up with everyone -- even the 11 year olds. I couldn't believe how those little girls could sew! And they did good work!

There was a Trunk Show at noon (finally found out what that was the day before) where invited quilt guilds show off their accomplishments. They "rob" their grandchildren and relatives of the quilts they've been given through the years and show them to us. There must've been 100+ beautiful quilts shown in about an hour, along with comments and stories from their creators. Some were all hand-made (no sewing machine used). Others were whimsical -- one lady created a darling "BUG" quilt for her granddaughter who was deathly afraid of creepy crawlies. Most were traditional pieced quilts. Some had 2,000+ pieces. *ugh* All were awesomely beautiful.

Yesterday I intentionally skipped the Trunk Show so I could get some help with my new sewing machine (Bernina had a vendor booth). After 45 min. the husband and wife team said they had to go to the Trunk Show and give away the Grand Prize: a new Bernina sewing machine! I said I'd wait there for them.

I was checking out the other vendor booths when the wife tracked me down and said she had "bad" news for me. I could tell she was trying (unsuccessfully) to look distressed. I WON THE NEW BERNINA MACHINE!!!

Heck, I didn't even know I was entered into the drawing!!! The day before there were about 50 people in the audience whose names got drawn for various sewing-related prizes. Fabric, batting, thread, etc. I didn't win a thing!

There were even 25 cent raffle tickets you could buy to sit in a special seat in the theater, because the Grand Prize winners of the last two years had coincidentally sat there. I didn't buy one. I wasn't even there!

When my new friends heard my name announced, and the Bernina peeps said, "we just left her at our booth!" they raced down the school hall so they could see my reaction to the news!

Well, I was happy! I hatched an evil plan that when my DH showed up in a few minutes, I'd let him think I had purchased it! (I just bought my new machine a couple of months ago). But someone we knew from our home town already blabbed to him. But that's alright. It was fun.

Now my 8 yo granddaughter and I can sew at the same time. Well, that's the plan -- she doesn't know how to sew yet. But this summer I intend to teach her.

Okay, that's my really long story that took an hour to write. Guess I'll go to bed now.

[Erika]

How wonderful!
What a super adventure and along with the happy memories, new friendships and future plans, a take home gift to share to boot.
So happy for you.
Thanks for sharing this.
With love, Erika

[Koala77]

Congratulations on your win Twink.

It's a fabulous story. Thank you for sharing

[Kitty]

Twink!! What a wonderful story.....I enjoyed reading every word of it!

Sounds like you had a great time, made some fabulous friends and got a sewing machine just in time to make some beautiful memories with your granddaughter.

[Dejibo]

I have been sewing for all my life. my mother grew up dirt poor, but she could sew! she used to make all of our clothes growing up. made all our dolls clothes. it was the one thing she insisted that we learn. I have a closet full of quilts. I donate some, gift some, use some and display some. I dont sew well anymore since I cant see well, but I am so proud of you for learning! its such a wonderful thing to pass down to a grandchild (boy or girl) to be able to fix their own clothes, or make a quilt.

Im so proud of you! Congratulations!

[ANNagain]

Thanks, Rochelle! I really enjoyed reading this.

Congratulations on the new machine.
ANN

[barb02]

Great story Rochelle!

[SallyC]

WooHoo!! Whoopee Do!! Lucky You!!

I love your story telling skills. Keep me on the edge of my seat.

[agate]

What a great story! Congratulations on winning the machine!

Hope you'll enjoy it. Some years ago my SIL got a new sewing machine that could do all kinds of fancy stitching. She made some quilted placemats for family members, and I still have mine though they were made about 15 years ago. They look just as good now as they did when they were new in spite of repeated washings.

These new sewing machines are amazing!

[Kitty]

I've got my Mom's old Singer sewing machine. It's in a table that I use as an accent piece of furniture in my guest bedroom. Looks like a table but the machine is inside. It's got to be about 60 years old. It brings back all sorts of fond memories of my Mom.