First off, let me begin by saying that I wholeheartedly admire those who can sew. I think it is a craft among trueartisans and a God-given gift. It requires patience, resilience, determination and vision.
It also requires an ability to thread a sewing machine.
A few days ago I got an itch. I wanted to sew something. I needed to sew something. Problem. My sewing machine was nowhere to be found. And then I remembered. It has been almostseven years since I last used the blasted machine. Seven years!
Let me explain…
Back in 2002, in a feeble attempt at proving my finesse as a soon-to-be-mommy I came to the conclusion that I would don needle and thread and sew my baby’s cribset. It had to be the hormones. Never in my years of life, except for those fateful months, had I ever set my cap for homemade goodies. It just wasn’t a part of me. It never has been. I buy my homegoods at Target just like a good American should.
But I set out to provide my new child with a homemade bumper pad and dust ruffle. In truth, the whole thing was horrible. I bought a sewing machine.Weird. Being pregnant with myfirst child didn’t help matters. Everytime I dropped a stitch orbroke a needle I cried. Iwas just sure that it was a glimpse of what was to come. If I couldn’t handlesewing a freakin’ cribset…how was I going to handlebeing a mom? My also-pregnant sister-in-law explained to me that nothing had to do with the other and I could finish this project. So, I bucked up, drank that allowed one glass of wine <quickly>and after alot of blood, sweat, tears and curse words, I accomplished my goal. And much like giving birth, once I was physically holding that beautiful cribset in my hands, all the pain and suffering involved with crafting it slipped away. I was so proud of myselfand absolutely certain that I was going to sew all kinds of clothesfor my new baby. And…I never touched that machine again.
Until last week. I ran over to my mom’s house and dug my sewing machine out of her hall closet and brought it home. It was all shiny, clean and white with cool knobs, options and buttons. I was so excited. I could do this! I’ve done it before. I mean, come on, a cribset? That’s not easy stuff, people. And, you should have seen me. I was so smug.
I was all, “Alrighty, I’m just going to thread this machine up and throw something together. I’ll practice on this burp clothfirst. And then maybe I’ll make a new runner for the table. No probs. Okay, I’m gonna go ahead and stick the thread right up here…run it through here…down through this little thingy-bob and through the needle. There. Easy peasy. I’m ready to go. Okay, push down on this little pedal. Here…we…go…crap! What the hell happened? There’s so much freakin’ thread! The cloth is stuck in…the…feeder. Oh. My. God.” The aftermath of my many threading attempts looked like a crime scene. There was thread and needles and more thread, a little ofmyown bloodand bobbins all over the place. It was awful.Flashbacks of 2002began bombarding me.
Neverthless, two long hours and many more tries later, I successfully threaded that dang machine. And then…nothing. It sits there on my counter, taunting me. But for now, I have no fabric, I’m almost out of thread and I just don’t have the oomph to start some project right now. But I will. Someday.
After all, I’ve already got a good headstart…the machine is already threaded.
Love to all, Mindy
Oh my Mindy! I’m almost afraid to admit that I sew. Sometimes frequently. I love the sense of accomplishment it gives me when I can present someone with something handmade. Also, my daughter 5’1″ tall. I have hemmed alot of pants. She’s also tiny. I’m made alot of adjustments to prom dresses!
But I will share the fact that my eyesight is not what it used to be and until I got my glasses it took me forever to thread the needle! I also screw up sometimes and have to go back with my seam ripper and resew. While sewing patches on my son’s new scout shirt…I sewed the sleeve closed. That takes talent! (Seriously I effin hate sewing those patches on!!) So it’s frustrating sometimes even for those of us who sew. But it’s worth it in the end. So keep stitchin!!
♥Spot
Spot – I am sooo jealous that you sew. I wasn’t kidding when I said that I admire people who do it…I’m just not (unfortunately) one of them. I haven’t completely given up yet…the sewing machine is still sitting on my counter. =)
Mindy
I can’t stress enough how much I hope you get my name at Christmas. I see some really cool stuff coming out of that sewing machine!
Oh, you know it! I’m thinking…scarves, oven mitts, pot holders. If it can be made into a square it will be part of my repertoire!
Mindy
Hey Mindy….you just made my week, I laughed so hard, with you of course, not at you, haha!! I too sew, I can’t tell you how many times I have cussed at that blasted machine. I stick to sewing halloween costumes that are going to be warn at night…. in the dark….. where no one can scrutinize, haha.
Wendy-
It doesn’t surprise me ONE bit that you can sew…you’re like super woman with all the cooking, the baking, the gardening, the all-around farm chick stuff…I barely qualify to be considered a “housewife.”
=)
Mindy
You crack me up……. and make me want to pull out my sewing machine all at the same time.
And you could probably totally whip some masterpiece out in no time at all, right? God I envy you people… =)
Mindy
Okay, I have to let you know something. You are sewing challenged because your mother is ! I don’t know where your sister got her talent. I think she might be adopted ! I was thinking about this while I was running my 6 miles, but I digress. You might only make a potholder, or even an an oven mitt (which I doubt), but your will always have the prettiest complexion ! Love ya.
Hey, with all the time, commitment, resilience, and prayer that will be going into that single potholder…it will be the best damn one around! =)
Mindy