Don't worry...

(all together now).... bee happy....

Oh the things you learn that you already knew from Home Ec in 1967, when you tackle a concentrated spate of quilting. Like- the right needle makes a huge difference in both the process and product. Ditto the right thread (machine quilting varieties for both). Or the memory flash that reminds you that just because you're using black thread to quilt the borders, you don't have to use black thread on the bobbin, which would be very visible on the cream floral backing. (Honest, I was actually winding black on the bobbin when I remembered that bit of basic sewing).

My machine quilting is improving, but still nothing to brag about. I'm not even trying fancy designs, I just serpentine my way down the length of the quilt, every 6" or so, and it looks just fine, if you don't look too closely. I employed the Cheater's Sharpie Method to hide the light stitches on the few dark squares and sashes, which is so much easier (and so much cheatier) than changing threads all the time. I will have to try more intricate quilting on the Nest quilt because the centers of the blocks are large and the stitching will be very visible (sharpie or no), but for these small girl/small block quilts, serpentine is the way to go.

I have a dentist appt this morning, and as needle-involving dentist appointments go, I am less dread-full than usual. I suppose it's because I've had several over the last few months, and familiarity breeds a little less terror. My attitude right now is *I don't want to go, but I'd rather get it over with*, which is a huge improvement over the *drugs, give me drugs right now* system that I used to employ. I tried the procrastination method for many years, and learned that teeth will go away if you ignore them. So, off I go. I'm going to spend my numb and drooling afternoon sewing, as a reward. Or sleeping. Or just being relieved that this is the last one.