Projects

It came as a surprise to many when I started lamenting about my 'battles' with a sewing machine... the surprise was not that I was fighting with a machine (that's easy to understand, I'm totally machine/technologically challenged) but rather that I was even attempting to battle a SEWING machine. I'm thoroughly convinced that the right combination of stupidity, online tutorial, and pedal-pushing ability can make anyone able to sew (note: I didn't say "well" but rather just be able to accomplish the task, more or less).

My mother is an amazing seamstress. I LOVED my Easter and Christmas dresses she made each year for me while I was growing up. They were among my most valued possessions because they were so beautiful. The sewing gene, however, didn't really get passed on to this hyperactive, couldn't-sit-still-for-2-minutes kid. I learned the basics: straight line, thread and bobbin (the words, not necessarily what/how to use them). I always knew I COULD do it, if I put my mind to it, but doing any small sewing by hand was always easier. If something needed to be hemmed or what-not, I would just do it by hand. It wasn't a big deal and seemed easier to me than learning the sewing machine again. Besides, if I needed something major, Michael's always had that iron-on stuff to use rather than sew a seam.

Well, when we started getting the kids' room ready with paint and such, I started looking for things I wanted/needed. Em was all over her crib, so I looked for a bumper and I knew the curtains would need tie-backs, so I hunted around for those as well. I found a lot of great stuff, like a wonderful tall basket for a diaper pail and a great red basket/box for diapers yet to be used. But the bumpers here only go about half way around the crib... so I got two, thinking I could just tie them end-to-end. They overlapped by too much and refused to look "pretty". I was totally bummed. Then, the laundry hamper I brought from the States that my Bible study girls gave to Em broke. It was just the frame, so I got another frame. Well, once I got the frame home I realized the fabric cover didn't fit the new frame. These, and a few other things, convinced me that I could get EXACTLY what I wanted if I did it myself. Thus, the fighting with a sewing machine!

I borrowed a sewing machine from my pastor's wife, but it needed to be serviced and a part was missing and still can't be found (weeks later). Another missionary found out my plight and lent me her machine, but she said she'd never used it. I'd only ever used one of these contraptions under STRICT supervision, so I was more than a bit frightened, but after two hours of fighting a bobbin (with the instruction manual in Afrikaans), and my own ineptness, I finally got the machine working late Wednesday afternoon. From that point until now, I've basically been totally preoccupied with getting my 'projects' done. For some reason, I just feel like I NEED to be ready for this baby more than Em because I can't see being able to do much with Em running around and an infant in-arms. So, dinner has been take-out or left-overs (sorry Todd) and the laundry is piled on the couch, but I've finished the hamper, the car seat tent (so I don't have to fight with a blanket whenever we go out) and the photo board (yes, one piece of ribbon is missing... my inches to meters conversion is apparently more atrocious than my bobbin skills but the store opens in two hours, so it's not a big issue). I only have a few small things left (more for my convenience than anything else) and one BIG project: the crib bumper. I have the online tutorial. I have all the material cut, pinned and ready. I have everything except the courage to just make that first stitch (which is why I'm writing this blog rather than sewing). You see, if I mess up, I don't have extra material, so I'll be really stuck, but it's GORGEOUS fabric and I can't wait to see the final product... okay, off to go sew me a bumper! Wish me luck!!!