
On Saturday, I took two classes from Melissa Corry of Happy Quilting at the Thanksgiving Point Garden of Quilts, sponsored by Riley Blake. I wanted some good instruction on curves because I’m only mediocre on that skill, so I took her Nordic Nights class & got one block made, plus a start on another. I feel confident I can finish this quilt….in 2027. I’ve wanted to make it for a long time because it’s a fairly striking pattern.

Her afternoon class was Braided Irish Chain & since I like her & I like Irish Chain quilts, I opted to stick with her. This quilt is pretty straightforward, but she had some good tips to make it easier. I got one 30″ block done & about 1/2 the units for the second. The lap quilt I’m making takes four of these blocks, so it’s a good start.

Monday & Tuesday I cut out half the new group project so it will be available when I can sew again. I also cut & pieced a Christmas table banner so it will be ready for hand quilting when I’m able. I cleaned up the studio so it’s fresh & clean, then Wednesday I had surgery for the arthritis in my thumb. This is what I had done for all you medically-interested people: Left trapeziectomy / resection arthroplasty with suture suspensionplasty / tendon transfer using flexor carpi radialis to abductor pollicis longus. He removed my trapezoid bone & made a sling with the tendon to stabilize my thumb. It’s a long recovery with weeks in various splints & lots of PT; a year to get all my strength back. But the arthritis pain will be gone & I should be able to start sewing in a few weeks. So I will be disappearing & catching you on the flip side. Happy sewing & get those RSC projects together so I can see all the scrappy fun!

Your classes with Melissa sound like they were great and you made two beautiful blocks, Sue. That hand surgery sounds like a big deal – best wishes for your recovery!
Oh Sue, It sure sounds like a complicated process. I know how painful arthritis – and recovery from joint surgery – can be. Sending you hugs and best wishes for a steady, pain-free and complete recovery.
Thank you! Pain is much less today, so hooray! Stay tuned for whenever I get back to the class blocks! 2027 WIPs??
You totally have experience! Pain is much less today so I’m happy about that. Wednesday I get my personalized molded splint which will be good & maybe allow my other fingers to do stuff.