Sunday, March 3, 2013

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.


So true in so many ways; and not just as it pertains to sewing.
What, you might ask is she doing talking about sewing?  Good and valid question.
Made by Scott's Gramma

I see so many pretty things out there in Blogland... crocheted goodies in rainbow colors that make me drool.... little ornaments, flags, bunting, banners... cute little stuffed animals, fully jointed, handmade teddy bears, mice, wooly things, blankets, embroidery, quilts, chicken hats (sure they have them for both chickens and humans....) scarves, wrist warmers, amazing socks, tea cozies, fabric art.... It goes on and on. ~ I am drawn to them all like a moth to a flame!

  I want them. 
Made by my father's Mother
I want them ALL ~ In every eye dazzling shade imaginable!
Worse than that, when you are a crafty minded person you want to make them yourself! 

Of course, if you've been here before you know I am a bit sewing challenged.... I kick myself for not taking "home economics" at least one time in high school.  Hind sight is a bugger.  Even still, I have an affection for sewing things... old buttons, sewing boxes, darning balls and those cute little tomato pin cushions with the little strawberry dangling by a string.
Usually it goes like this:  I see a REALLY good idea for something I want to make. ( For example the lovely flag bunting for our tent at the fair a few years back. ) I rummage through my fabric box (yes, oddly I have one of those too?)  gather the supplies.... draw a picture of what it should be like, cut out a cardboard pattern from a cereal box... and then turn the whole mess over to my Mum. 
Similar theory for the tea cozy I had to make, maybe you remember it?  Saw a sweater at the thrift store... loved the pattern, though it was sized for an elf...  I got it anyway and decided to re purpose it a bit.  I even cut out  all the pieces of fabric/wool felt for it... and the marched up the stairs to turn over the goods to my seamstress/Mum.  She wants me to learn to use the sewing machine in the worst way.  Well, me too ~ sort of.  I'm scared of it. That sharp little needle flailing around, a breath away from my fingers.  Makes me a little faint to type about it.  So, "Sit down here" she says.... "hold it here",  points to the tea cozy.... "Now put your foot on the pedal, and press it down...."  "just guide the fabric..."    Fine, I think...  I can do it.  Sure.  So, I depress the pedal... and off I go.  Good for about 3 inches... "getting close to the edge there" she says... I try to steer back, but the tension is getting to me... *snap* goes the thread.  It seems my tension came out my foot; she said my eyes widened, and I stomped the foot pedal to the floor; the machine tried in vain to keep up, but alas ~ it finally panicked too until the thread had the good sense to break.  She finished the sewing... after she pulled the broken thread out, and re threaded the needle.  You can still enjoy my section of sewing if you look close though; it would be the tight, knotted, zig-zaggy spot....
Thrifty tea cozy, and awesome Emma Bridgewater mug

We all have things we are good at... or at least some things we are better at than others.  Should we play to our strengths?  Or play it safe? You wouldn't hand a chain saw to a clumsy person right? There's a fine line between trying to learning new things and sewing yourself to a table cloth.
Wee granny squares, and tiny sewn heart ~ the extent of MY sewing?
I can muddle thru little things, sewn by hand with needle and thread...  small decorative things. And a tiny bit of crochet... Even then, I usually end up discouraged and bleeding from a finger tip, or two.

Made by my Mum when I was a wee lass, presumably with my out grown pajamas?





My latest great idea is to make a little string of birds and beads ~ I keep seeing them all over the place... fun fabrics, fun colors.... little bell on the bottom.  Nice. Got to have one.  
Sure, I could buy one, but why would I want to do that?  Then what would I do with my box of fabric bits? (and what would Mum do with her free time?  Read a good book in comfy chair or something? *pfftt*)
So what I've come up with is this.  Sewing skills can skip a generation, sometimes two. 
My Grandmother, Irene
My lovely Grandmother was a bookkeeper. (like myself)
  She knit exactly one hat, in awful shade of peach... Mum said when she was  a teenager, Grammy bought a sewing machine.  She tried to fix a ripped hem on the sleeve of her nightgown, and sewed the sleeve shut completely. She never used the machine again.
My Mum used it for many years to make clothes for her home economics classes.

My Great, Great Grandmother, Engrid
I remember my Grandmother saying that her Grandmother made all their clothes (not her Mother mind you...) from swimsuits (the long wooly ones) to frilly girl dresses. (Grammy had two sisters).  I never once heard her mention her mother sewing anything.

Rug, made by Engrid
 In fact, I have a beautiful rug beside my bed that my Great, Great Grandmother made... I wiggle my toes when I stand on it, trying to absorb some sewing skills thru osmosis...  No luck as of yet. 
Cross Stitched by Scott
Even my husband can sew.... and has a seemingly endless tolerance for making little x's with thread.
Grampy's sewing box.
Come to think of it, my Grandfather sewed too. 
 The "sewing box" was kept in his room... and when I wore the face off my stuffed monkey, it was he that made Monkey a new nose.
Good thing I wasn't a pioneer woman ~ can you imagine what my clothes would look like?

45 comments:

  1. I'm laughing with you...honestly! I was one of those girls who took woodwork instead of sewing and I ended up years later teaching myself how to use a sewing machine because I would find things in the thrift store that I wanted to renovate. But I still can't follow a pattern to save my life! I love all of your treasures. It's so great to see you keeping them close in your heart and mind. All of my female ancestors were sewers galore. I even inherited my grandmas and my great granmas sewing machines. I use my grandmas all the time but have yet to master a treddle sewing machine. Do you drive a car? I was told to think of the sewing peddle like a gas peddle and maybe that will help. Don't fret! It's just another power tool!
    The little mouse is ever so sweet!

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    1. Maybe I should look for an old sewing machine with no knobs and buttons and confusing gadgets....if it still doesn't work out, at least it will look good sewed to my sleeve! Thanks for laughing WITH me! :)))))

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  2. Scott and his mom made some BEAUTIFUL things... but that monkey just takes the cake! What a treasure it is! I am so glad I took Home Ec classes, I LOVE to sew. It is never too late too learn, there are so many things to try. I am sure you would find your niche in one area.. knitting? crochet? embroidery? hand quilting? spinning or weaving or felting? The possibilities are endless. You have a lot of instructors it seems. All you need now is determination.

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    1. "Doodle Stitching" has a bit of appeal ~ drawing a little scene on fabric and sewing over it with needle and thread, I can probably do that! (with that dose of determination!)
      Felty things are fun too! (and could be a good excuse to get a sheep!) ha ha
      Ahhhh Monkey, he's a good guy! (I think the bandaids on his paws were my doing!)

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  3. Melody....thats me too!! I don't believe it - so many similarities!!...I have fabric, needles, ideas and have to hand them over to my mum. I have thankfully now mastered the art of sewing on a brooch back...Sewing machines..blind panic..foot down instead of up - even put me off learning to drive for a while just incase I did the same thing with the accelerator! RW Jnr is great at school with the machine! Maybe it does miss a generation!
    Love all your treasures and photos, your Mousey showing off his beautiful bird, bell and bead combo your granny, great granny and most of all your even greater granny squares!! Please do keep trying...when its safe to do so!!
    ...so great to hear your written voice! Until your next uplifting post...
    Ali xx ;))

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    1. Ahhh, I'm so happy to hear I'm not the only one with an irrational fear of sewing machines!! :)) And you won't hardly believe it, but i delayed driving too, for fear of not being in control of my vehicle!! :)))
      I felt very safe drawing the sewn birds! No fear at all! :))))
      Always a delight to find you here visiting!

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  4. You have great treasures. My mother did not sew a stitch my grandmother on the other hand kept my dolls in dresses all my young life. My fathers mother was an amazing sewer such as drapes and upostery. I am in the middle. I love to hook rugs and I sew just a very little bit not sure I really like it. I would never quilt. I think you will find what you love and flurish,
    Cathy
    I am your newest follower.

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    1. Welcome! So happy to have you stop by!
      Rug hooking is something I'd like to try (no sharp needles right?) I'd like to draw my own design and make another tea cozy for my big tea pot!
      Funny, you mention drapes and it reminds me of the Sound Of Music and her making the drapes into dresses! :)))))
      It seems most of our ancestors were alot more sewing savvy!

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  5. Oh I loved reading this post and seeing your great gram and great, great grammie .
    You may sew, so so, but your lovely and quick on the draw and you do that so well !
    I never knew Scott does cross stitch ...go Scott !
    That must be why he can hold the reins so well when he drives Cricket ...nimble fingers. lol

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    1. Mr. Nimble Fingers is a man of many talents! :)))))
      Drawing is what I love best, but i can't seem to stop wanting to try new things!

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  6. I can see a little bit of you in Irene and Engrid.... well, escept for the sewing part:) My Mum is a tailor and I can't even sew a button. So yes, it does skip generations!

    I love your family treasures... I bet every piece in your home has a story to tell.

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    1. Yes, I suppose as I look around, there are a lot of stories to tell... I wish I could step back in time and meet Engrid, seems she was a talented and strong woman! Do you suppose we should at least TRY to sew our own buttons on??? ha ha

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  7. Yes, very often skills skip a generation. Knowing this you don't have to worry, you can't help it that you are not wired for sewing. I didn't know Scott liked sewing ... cool.
    Nothing wrong with trying new things, but sometimes we have to admit that it's not our cup of tea. And see it this way ... you make wonderful drawings. :-)

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    1. ha ha, yes ~ I can console myself (for my sewing shortcomings) by wallowing around with my pencils and paper!! Funny, the musical talent skipped me too ~ despite my name ??

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  8. Ha! I got a real laugh from this, its the intention that counts anyway!
    Your dogs, horses, are so beautiful. Oh that cricket.........
    julie

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    1. *phew* that's good! I've got buckets full of intentions!
      We often start sentences with "Oh that Cricket....." ~ he's a character! We love them all, every last one!

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  9. Lovely post Mel, and so true, I can't sew, although more recent attempts on an ancient machine have been successful, but more to the point I don't like sewing, school put me off, the needlework teachers were .....YUK! I love all those treasures in your home, just fascinating. Nice to keep family things and stories going. :)

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    1. Maybe it's a good thing I DIDN'T take needle work in school; never thought of that!?! I still get flash backs from my algebra classes.... Brrrrrrr*
      I love to keep family memories and photos and stories alive!

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  10. So you're a visionary; that's a good thing! You imagine and let others make it so...sounds perfect to me (of course, I also can't sew)!

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    1. Oh goody, I like that! a Visionary ~ I'm like the sewing projects staff director!! :)))))) ha ha :))

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  11. YOU are AMAZING, but really, mucking out a stall in your robe? I thought I was bad!!

    Loved this,

    Sharon

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    1. Sssshhh now ~ that was our little secret! Those of us who sully our bathrobes with slugs, mud and a hint of horse manure have to stick together! ha ha ha :)))

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  12. I really wish I had sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidering skills but I do not! I've tried to pick them up but just not my cup of tea. I love all things handmade and wish I could make some things of my own. My grandma is so skilled in this area so she has made me plenty of blankets, quilts, and embroidered tea towels. They are true treasures!

    PS - I love your profile pic. Those are some big dogs! :)

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    1. Yes, treasures indeed those hand made goodies! Maybe you've shared photos of them someplace on your lovely blog? I'll have to have another little poke around and see? I love Grandmas and handmade handiwork! :))
      The giant dogs are a lot of fun, and shed enough to knit a sweater ~ if only I could!!! ha ha

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  13. What a great post, loved seeing all the treasures you have from your family. I also found your arts and craft and thoroughly enjoyed seeing everything together. This shows how creative you really are and all your skills and talents. So maybe sewing is not your thing, but you clearly enjoy and appreciate others people's work.
    I think you have a creative life, you enjoy doing crafts for pleasure, and I believe that is the best reason to do it. I have lots of different materials and try different crafts, but drawing always comes out top because I really do love drawing. I sew every now and again, love sewing and seeing others projects, makes me want to sew more but you can only do so much in the time you have.
    Good to see you blogging, super post. Millyx

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    1. No question that creating for the sheer joy of it is the best ~ a lot less pressure that way too! Delighted you stopped by; I'll be waiting here patiently for my next walk with you! Will it be into a delightful village ~ or along the beach with the swans and sheep I wonder? Fingers crossed we, well~ you, find a bit of pottery to include in the resulting art work....

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  14. Oh this all rings so true - but instead of having a talented mum to turn it all over to I have something else - a box of shame! It sits by the side of my sofa - quite out of sight - full of projects that were once so full of promise. Every now and then I pull one of them out, examine it a bit, go 'hmmmmm', then get distracted by a new idea. I like to think that it means I've got a lively mind - just very frustrating when you've only finished one mitten! x Jane

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    1. a box of shame~ that's hysterical! I seem to be easily distracted by new good ideas too! A lively mind indeed, let's go with that, I like it! I would make a little felted mouse, and tuck him into your one mitten, and make it a little piece of winter art. You can stuff the mitten with nuts and berries to really make it look like it moved in properly!

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  15. Hi Melody,thankyou for finding Me! I love your blog too and can see I'm going to spend many happy hours reading here :o)
    Love julieXxx

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    1. It is such fun to find like minded, happy people and get to peep into their worlds! So glad you came by for a visit too!

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  16. Melody thank you for popping over to mine and joining me!
    you have a lovely blog, I am adoring your little pyjama creature from long ago...
    bestest to you and yours
    Daisy J x

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    1. It is a good day when I get to find a new blog I can't wait to stalk.... I mean follow. he he :)))) Welcome to my little world, thanks for the visit!

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  17. This blog entry has just totally made my day! It is so sweet with all those wee things and funny stuffed animals so loaded with personality. That monkey makes me scream with glee it is so weird and loveable!!! I can't sew either and my husband, who just has a native knack when using any kind of machine, can up and sew complicated furniture covers and clothing without even really trying! I agree though about the blogosphere being full of darling and wonderful things.

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    1. I guess this is how we know we live in modern times... the men are sewing, and we are shoveling horse manure!
      I think Monkey was less wierd before Grampy installed those eye patches! I feel like I'm getting on in years when I realized that my first childhood toy is stuffed with those curly wood shaving things, and not "fluff"... you can see if popping out wear his "hand-aids" are falling off! ha ha ha! Thanks for stopping by!

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  18. i find it interesting and fun looking back in someone else's life. lovely loves you have.

    found you at willow's.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by ~ so happy to have you visit! :)))

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  19. Isn't it lovely to have hand made items made by generations gone by? One of the items we have is a package given to my Grandad's cousin during the Second World War when she was evacuated from London. It is a velvet purse containing hand made lace gloves from my Great Grandmother. The crafts do tend to skip a generation in my family as my mum will not touch anything to do with needles and wool and she finds it fascinating that I have! Love your blog! Take care. Chel x

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    1. Thank you for your comment!
      Your velvet purse and gloves sound fabulous! I love a good story to go with great goodies~
      So happy you stopped by, hope you visit again!

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  20. That is a lovely store of memories for different family members - particularly love the rug - quite delicious. My mum made all the clothes for all us five children - including knickers and coats...!
    Best wishes and thank you for calling in - tea next time!
    Jenny

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    1. Wow ~ I am super impressed with your Mum's sewing skills; I can't even imagine! Knickers too? Really?
      So pleased you came by for a visit ~ I will definately ready my best mug for tea! :)))))

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  21. Oh Hello.... Willow said you were a great blogger and she was so right. I have read this post twice I love the little stuffed animal made out of your PJ's by you Mom, your family was so talented. Who needs a sewing machine when the skill comes from the hands.
    I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this post. My husband sews too, better with a machine than I:)
    So many family memories tangled in the fabrics of your life. Love this post. B.

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  22. Awwww Willow ~ she is such an encouraging and supportive gal! :))))
    That is perfect description ~ there really are memories tangled into the fabrics of life!
    Thanks so much for visiting!

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  23. Im visiting your blog for the first time today Melody . . courtesy of a link from Willow's blog. She was right, you have a fantastic blog here and I could happily sit reading through all day long. I've become a follower so I can visit again.

    This post is wonderful and you are very lucky to have so many handmade pieces from your family members. I myself am useless with a sewing needle / sewing machine, although I am proud of myself for mastering the art of crochet in 2011, well I managed a few squares and a small bag so not really mastered it I suppose.

    I just love the post about your animal family . . . your house sounds very much like mine! x

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  24. Hi Dee ~ so glad you came to visit! It's lovely to meet kindrid spirits! I must laugh to hear my house sounds like yours... that means it's filled with muddy foot prints and pet hair on everything you own! ha ha ~ and Bad place for "allergic" people... :))))

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  25. wow, I love the sewing box! I have been thinking about getting myself one from Etsy... I have to do some research ;-)

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