It's Wednesday - Time for

Moda Blockheads Block #7

Penny Basket by Lynne of Kansas Troubles

You can download the pattern from Lynne's blog by going to 

 http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com.

I made my block using Lynne's fabric line Thistle Farm and I really like it.

We're home from the hospital!

Pep has a new hip made out of cobalt chrome, ceramic and plastic.

I'm not at all sure how Dr. Bruce got it in with only about a 6" incision but he did 

and it's working very well.

Pep was up and walking the next morning and doing his physical therapy.

And I came home with 3 appliquéd blocks, mostly done while waiting for things to happen.  

We got to the hospital at 8:30 AM and his surgery started at 2:00 PM.

Hurry Up and Wait was about the norm but I had brought along lots of things to stitch :).

And speaking of stitching, probably I should answer a couple of the questions we've been supposed to  be answering.

Needles:  I use Milliners, Size 8 or 9 with large eyes so I can thread them.  I think it's very important to use needles that are long enough to fit in your hand comfortably and don't bend when you sew.  I mainly use Clover or Richard Hemming needles.

Thread:  I use 60 to 80 wt thread because it hides the stitches well.  I use Efina 60wt 2ply 100% Egyptian Cotton distributed by Sue Spargo and Aurifil 80 wt thread distributed by Moda.  I use them both due to color choice.   And of course, you always match the thread to the item being appliquéd, not the background.

And now is a good time to jump over to the other designers and see that they've done with Lynne's block.

See you next week.