Three-Quarters Done Quilting the Graceful Garden Quilt

Past the Halfway Mark, Quilting the Graceful Garden Quilt

I'm just past halfway done with the quilting.  I now have 834.5 hours in the quilt.

The Quilting Continues, Graceful Garden Quilt

Comparing my pictures of the quilt on my bed to the part of the quilt that is showing in my frame, I do believe I have hit the halfway mark! 

The colors of the photos weren't exactly right, because I angled my flash upwards in order that the quilting would better show.  I fixed the colors the best I could in my photo editor; they're pretty close now, but not nearly as vibrant as they are in real life.  Real quilt.  Real. . . something-or-other.

Over a Third of the Graceful Garden Quilt Top is Quilted

Since Saturday, I've had a bit of trouble with my machine skipping stitches.  I tried all the usual remedies to no avail (new needle, rethread, clean, oil, check tension, loosen quilt, etc.).  Larry took apart the bobbin assembly, thoroughly cleaned and oiled it, put it back together, and reset the timing. 

That helped, but hasn't entirely eliminated the problem.  I can usually avoid the issue until I'm using a ruler and moving the machine in a northwesterly direction (away from me and to the left).

Yesterday I ordered some special needles from Mike Gilomen, owner of The Machine Shop in Highland, Illinois.  These are supposed to reduce skipped stitches.  Mike sent me one of those needles last year, gratis, and it did help. 

I just checked the USPS Track & Confirm page, and I see that the needles made it to the Hazelwood, Missouri, USPS Sort Facility at 10:25 p.m. this evening.  Scheduled arrival:  March 8, 2013.  March 8?!  That's three more days!  I could drive there in 7 hours and 20 minutes!  Bah, humbug.

Well, in the meanwhile, I shall limp along the best I can. 

Doesn't look too bad, I guess.