Falling In Love Again

I have no explanation, really, but about the same time the COVID19 pandemic started, I stopped quilting.  I honestly don't know what happened.  I live in Melbourne, Australia - which happens to have been the most locked-down city in the world during the pandemic.  Don't believe me?  Just Google this phrase:

what was the most locked down city during the covid19 pandemic

...and you'll see it's true.

Now you'd think with all that time on my hands, and not being able to hardly even step outside the front door for months on end, well... what better time to be quilting?

I kept the machine dusted (LOL), and when restrictions lifted I had Brad, my maintenance hero, visit and give "Bernie" her annual servicing.  But until October of last year, the machine just sat there.  Then I made one quilt (a table runner and placemat set for my sister) - but that was all.  

I decided to sell the machine, but before putting it on the market wanted to get a couple more projects done.  I selected a simple panel quilt to make first - knowing I'd have a little "re-learning" to do.  As I cut the pieces out, sewed the top and then finally mounted it on the machine... yeah...   I've fallen in love again.  Head over heals just like before, maybe worse!  So there will be no sale.

I'm keeping Bernie.

As I sit here typing this post, I can hear the soft hum of longarm stitching - and I'm piecing together a kit quilt I bought way back in 2017.  And I'm falling in love again.