Linda, I think Cheesecake is the best, and a babbling granddaughter on your lap is the icing on top! 

I do have a separate thread going re Ileostomy reversal and will continue to post when I'm up for it. Hard to believe I'm on the 7 day countdown for that already! My body must be listening, as I had a good jump in getting weight and muscle to stick this past week, which will make my doctor happy when I show up next week. 

Thanks again for the encouragement!

Marian

So Surgery is pretty quick in coming. I truly hope it's successful for you. These cell phones make it handy to keep in touch with family not allowed to go in & visit you!  Plus some apps allow for note taking too.  Get lots of rest before hand & be sure & if you want,  give updates as to how its going for you. Start a new forum about your reversal journey it will likely help someone else down the find!  Plus,  We would like to cheer you on! All the best!! Be as well as you can be!

I think my sewing attempt will have to wait since I'm jamming at work now in anticipation of reversal surgery next week and the recovery time that will follow. I bet you'll have fun with the quilting! I admire the talent that goes into such endeavors. Maybe you can post a picture of one some day. 

I can just imagine you running & realizing  ALL you've been through which brought you here & then to find out a simple trick for sewing!  That had to be a fun run! I constantly battled those nasty bird nests & broken needles on a regular basis too. So much so that I should have taken shares out in the Schmetz needle company! lol! 

So...I bought a bunch of extra bobbins for my machine & told those who I mend for that when they come with mending, they need to bring 2 spools of thread. One for the bobbin & 1 for the top on thread. I could hardly believe that the issue had been thread. I did have a few small issues still but it was my machine needing a good old fashioned tune up & cleaning. Thread & material lint get into places we just don't see. Think about what's on the screen to your dryer after one load of clothes & then see that jamming in somewhere causing further issues as a gear off balance or wearing down causing all sorts of other issues. I'm sure you've had to cut loose a broken needle out of the bobbin area too, so if that happens often enough,  down the road that can cause damage in there as well sending everything off balance.  It was just too simple a fix but so worth while.  

I had my old Kenmore for about 35 years & its gears were just so worn out I needed a new machine.  " NEW " was not in my budget though  but a cheap second hand one sure fit in well! I'm so glad I made the change!  I should mention I keep the thread & bobbin together in small zip bags & the name on it for next time.    Most people tend to buy similar colours of new clothing so I can use it on other repairs down the road. Polyester thread is my go to because its much stronger then cotton thread. A mix is good too.   

I'm just getting into learning to Quilt. I need something else to do without it feeling like a chore. Good luck in giving it a go & let me know how it works for you . I'd enjoy hearing about it so don't be shy!  

Thanks for the suggestion, plus a good chuckle. It made me run faster and I'm actually kinda looking forward to busting out the sewing machine and giving it another try.

Hope something brings a smile your way today too.

Thanks for the sewing counseling!

Also, I learned very quickly that my thread in the Bobbin had to be the same thread on the spool or I ALWAYS developed a bird nest under the material and that broke my needles, and caused a pitiful jamming in the bobbin trunk...or Boot for John68!!! lol! My sister inlaw once picked up & pitched their pressure washer over a fence & down the steep side of the mountain because it constantly gave her issues! I would strongly recommend a repair & good cleaning of your machine before you feel like doing something like that! Also, repair shops often have good used machines for cheap. I paid about $125.00 for my new one, plus they gave a good lesson while I tried out the machine to see how it worked, so don't rule that out either. Good Luck....a little sewing machine repIr shop counseling can go a long way & I don't mean down the mountain! lol! 

To loose may causes slipping, then maybe try taking it in in 1/2 " increments. If you don't want to sew it until you know what the cause is, try stapling it in on the outside to avoid scratches. Then stitch it after if it works for you.  You can actually stretch & sew a fair bit with some materials, so don't be afraid to test on that piece you cut off the top.  

When your a Newby your still learning & figuring out what works best for you based on a whack of suggestions. I too nursed back in the 70's in Geriatrics. I loved the older folks, precious souls every one of them! Some of my first posts were on vitamins & taking them properly and figuring out the time of day to take them to work best for you.  If I take a B Complex for a really busy energy using day, I take it before 9 a.m., after that I don't sleep well at night at all that day. Keeping in mind I was already 8 yrs with an Ostomy when Eric's videos & this sight came to my rescue!  I had already done a ton of figuring things out on my own & had many suggestions for folks to try.  The old ostomy new here  Newby! lol!  But truthfully,  this site & these folks saved my sanity to the greater degree!! I will always be grateful to Eric! Knowing that ordering from Amazon &  donations are great ways we who use this site can help support Eric's work is a great benefit. 

It seems our systems seem to go into sensitivity over drive sometimes...at least I notice it...like B Complex messes with me!! lol!  Lending support as you know is not always having the remedy that works but just knowing your not alone in feeling one way or another is very helpful!