Adventures in Sewing

I know I may have developed a reputation as the “no-sew” queen (see some projects here, here, and here), but I couldn’t very well leave a brand new sewing machine in the box forever.  My mother-in-law bought it for me last Christmas, and I’m ashamed to admit that I never opened it (not for lack of gratitude, I assure you).

I know it’s hard to believe, but the thought of threading the machine, learning its quirks, and fudging my first 10 20 attempts just didn’t seem that all appealing. Winding that little bobbin terrified me.  Images of broken needles and matted thread flashed through my mind, torturing me. It was intimidating to say the least.  But just when I was about to resign myself to a life of hand sewing and stitch witchery, fate intervened.

I was having brunch with a good friend of mine when she mentioned she had been looking for a sewing machine at yard sales.

“Oh! I’ve got one!” I naively blurted out. “It’s um…still in the box though. I have no idea how to use it.”

Fortunately Amy, a sewing novice herself, was willing to tough it out with me. We made a date to tackle our fears.

After painstakingly reading the directions, we got the machine set up and Amy was able to finish up her place mats and table runner (straight lines are good!). Emboldened by her success, I dug up some drop cloth (read about my love affair with this fabric here and here) and made a pillow. Then I made another one.

Now I’m obsessed.

I’m proud to say the sewing machine sits on our kitchen table most of the time. I can’t wait to share some of my sewing projects with you over the next few weeks!