In one chat about this problem, my new(ish) friend Patricia showed me this ruler by Guidelines for Quilting. It sounded rather fine but we didn't know how much it cost. Unbeknown to me she spoke to the company, asked the price and whether they thought a blind guy would be able to use one ... they did, and very very kindly said they'd send me one, complete with a seam allowance addition that also performs as a finger guard ... this is super helpful since I don't think my braille reading would be helped by the loss of a couple of digits!
So here's a photo of mine!
Now I'm not certain I've actually got it in the picture, so here's one from their website!actually I can't figure out the URL for the image so here's the page about it!
I've been taking my time getting to know my new ruler! I can adjust the size,which is currently at 5.5 inches. I can add or remove the seam guard, and I've discovered that on the underside there is a railway track style ruler in 1/8 inch increments and markings at 1 inch intervals, and I can trace those with my fingertips and count to determine the size setting of the ruler ... this is very cool for a blind person! :)
Next important announcement: I have noticed a nice handful of new followers recently too! Hello!! Please do leave me a comment if you're reading this, because I have not figured out how to go from your name in my list of followers to your blog, so I have no way to follow you back except if you leave me a comment! So please do - I'm thrilled to have new followers and would love to follow you back! The same applies to anybody who has followed me and notices I haven't followed you ... I'm not trying to snub you, I just can't get to your blog! sometimes I feel so dull when I can't figure out how to do some things on Blogger!!
So what has been keeping me away from blogging? Well, a move back to the UK is on the cards, probably in about a month. So I'm trying not to do much other than preparing and thinking about what I might be able to bring back ... this is why I haven't done any quilting at all of late ....
I do hope to bring my fabric stash, main tools, in fact pretty much everything except the sewing machine, which I'll probably try to sell and replace when I get back ... it's a stressful time, but I am looking forward to being back in Wales. I'll certainly miss my American quilt friends who I won't see anymore, and those who I hope to meet in the short time left here ... but being blind poses challenges that I feel I'll cope better with back in the UK!
bout a week ago I had minor surgery to ex-plant the catheter that I had implanted back in October. This is for my dialysis which I am due to start in the next week or so, at least due to start training! I've still got a small amount of life in my kidneys (at best 5%) but I'd like to get going with the training so I'm getting familiar with the new routine!
So that's what I've been up to. Those of you who live nearby, do let's see if we can meet up at least once before I go, and for those in the UK I hope to see y'all soon!
Go get yourselves one of those super cool rulers, you know you need one, every quilter should have one! :)
i am so glad you got a the new ruler, it does look super cool! and i am sure you are excited to be back in the uk. good luck with the move!
ReplyDeleteThat ruler looks super nifty Giles! I do love how you've prioritised your packing though, fugelhorn and sewing implements! Don't worry about your clothes and books! hehe! ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like the perfect ruler for you! Hope you manage to get everything packed and shipped back okay, ooh, hey, have you looked into the Fat Quarterly Retreat? You could come and play with us all in London :oD
ReplyDeleteWell Giles, I'm sorry to hear your leaving the area, even though I'm never actually met you. I hope that being back in the UK will give you the support you need. Best of luck. I still will be following your progress, the wonderful joy of the blogisphere!
ReplyDeleteWow, big news! Back to ol' blighty - nhs and rubbish weather... and cadburys and PG Tips... lol Hope the packing goes well, remember to fill a suitcase with fabric... customs fees are really ruining buying from the states now. Worth thinkin bout if you can... will save you a fortune in the long run. Love the new ruler though, wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the ruler - looks really cool and helpful. And Good luck with your move, Giles! That's a huge undertaking even with full kidney function. (Oh, and when folks comment on my blog, if I click on their name at the comment, it'll open their bio page which lists the blogs they participate in. Usually I can search out a commenter's own blog that way.)
ReplyDeleteIt was totally my pleasure to ask them for that ruler and I'm so impressed with the ruler that I am going to save up and get myself one with all the attachments, because I think that will be my solution too. Keep on keeping your chin up.
ReplyDeleteLots of love
Patti xxx
The ruler looks fabulous - what a thoughtful friend Patricia is! Did you know you can get connectors to join a couple of their rulers so you can make larger cuts? (Saw them on the website!) And it can be difficult to find a blog just from clicking on their profile picture as you have to add a link to your web page through...well, if I could remember I'd tell you! I'll have a ponder and let you know! Good look with the dialysis training!
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to save up my "allowance" and get one of those rulers also. My eyesight is getting worse and worse and I find that it is taking me so much longer to find the lines on my ruler, even with extra lighting.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you posted about this! Thanks!
Hello Giles. First may I say I am pretty amazed at your quilt design. Your attitude is one I exemplify from this day forward, Celebrate what you have not what you have lossed. you truly inspire me sweetie. may your successes me on the rise. Madame samm
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and you just made my day! My sister has very low vision, and she just amazes me at what she can do. LOVE the ruler, too! New follower here :o)
ReplyDeleteShanna
The good thing about being a blogger is we can share projects just as if we were right in the same room or town or state, and it doesn't matter where we're from - except the time differences. LOL We won't be in the same time zone any more, but I know there's some evening overlap because I sim with a guy in The Netherlands, and it's early evening/late evening when we do that.
ReplyDeleteYour new description of the ruler answers my question about how you are going to figure out the size. If you were just using squares, it wouldn't matter, as long as they were all the same size, but I suspect you want to go beyond that!
desertskyquilts.livejournal.com
You are an inspiration to all fellow quilters. I love poetry (and music)too but don't write any (mind you I've never tried!)I will be adding you to my list of blogs I follow. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteLorraine
Monkey Business and Quilts
I am truely humbled by you what an inspiration to us all, I think the new ruler is deffinately a plus only prob is where to put all this new fangled stuff lol. I love that you Prioritised fabric and sewing items first you are a hoot. good luck with the move back to the UK. I hope everything work out with the dialysis.Take care god bless
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across your blog today after reading about you in a blog from a lady in England. Your bloc got me thinking about all of the students that I work with that have disabilities of one sort or another that also have difficulty holding rulers. Your story is truly inspirational. I love to share stories like yours with my students when they feel that they can't do anymore. Thanks for sharing your story with us and thanks for the recommendation on the rulers. I have quilted for years and don't remember hearing about these. I do have my own blog but have not posted a lot as I'm somewhat new to it. My blog is moonquilts.blogspot.com. Now I'm off to figure out how to follow yours. Keep on quilting!
ReplyDeleteAh Giles, I had seen your comments on a few blogs, and thought, how cool you are. Only just looked at your blog- you have gained a follower!
ReplyDeleteI will be watching!