Stitching,Jogging and Attitude: Madame Bernina

Yes you have read correctly. Moi and the Grand Dame of the sewing room decided to do an ultra marathon together this week.

Now there is no love lost between us, but I felt an epic journey together would help us bond.

I have been practicing for a week , executing many deep lunges and squats into the unfinished projects Pile of Death and felt ready to tackle this event.

Equipment was assembled and I solemnly promised to Madame Bernina not to utter one single profanity .A quick pre race prayer by Moi to seek some divine intervention, and we were ready.

The drink stations were well stocked.

Extra nutrition was available.

The first 10 km. went well at a slow and steady warm up pace. Two Ornies for my sister's pink basket were completed.

During the next 10 km. we ran together, but maintained a respectful silence as we put a Xmas cushion together. However it wasn't long before Madame Bernina started complaining about an injury. Apparently an incorrectly inserted bobbin was affecting her stride and causing her cotton to tangle. She's always banging on about something being sore or niggling.

At 30 km. Madame Bernina was clearly trying to sabotage my event. Usually at this point in a race I've settled down, am pacing well and have zoned out into my own happy little world. However I was trying here to attach the binding to my quilt " Meg's Garden " by Kellie Wulfsohn of Dont Look Now. which DF Amanda from Sea Breeze Quilts kindly machine quilted for me.

I must point out here that I am a runner first and a logical quilter next, and so it was here that I hit a big fat road block.

PASS THE POWER AIDE PLEASE !!

I've spent many months hand stitching every single little flower onto this quilt using tiny little button hole stitches and with Amanda's lovely quilting it looks 3 dimensional and spectacular. And I wasn't going to let Madame spoil my fun here. A quick whisper of the word Janome in her ear and all was well again. Amazing what a threat will do.

From 40 km. on it became clear that a regular training regime needs to be established if we are to continue competing together. The borders were put on my hexagon pillow so I can now quilt it BY HAND !!