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Bev's Sewing Table
Finding the Time to
Sew
The holidays seem to emphasize how
little time we have for anything. It is all rush,
rush, rush to prepare for just a few days of
celebration. We seem to push things to the side
"until we have the time" to do it. Well, I am
tired of waiting for the time! When something is
important to us, we find the time. Just a few
minutes doing something we enjoy can make a big
difference in our day. My sewing makes a big
difference in my day. I try to find as much time
as possible to sew, even just a few minutes on some busy
days. I can carve out 10 minutes first thing in
the morning, when I have my first cup of coffee.
Instead of sitting down in the kitchen, I take it up to
my sewing table. I can't say that I am extremely
productive, as I am still waking up, but it allows me to
look at my pretty fabrics and my great sewing machines.
If I have something ready to "push" through the machine,
I am on my way to moving a project forward! Even a
couple seams everyday will finish a project eventually!
Everyday I can sew is a good day.
Make it a good day - everyday!
Project Organization
Now is a great time to get your
sewing organized. How many times have you looked
for a fabric or thread, which you know you have
somewhere, but just waste valuable sewing time looking
for it? I am making it my personal summer mission
to control my sewing area. Starting with
individual projects, I have gathered everything I need
to sew that specific quilt and put it into plastic tubs.
They are stackable and stay neat and clean. They
come in all sizes for larger projects at the big box
stores and really nice smaller containers for your
smaller needs. The ones we carry are about the
size of pizza boxes and are absolutely perfect for block
projects or hand sewing. Your finished blocks
store nicely in them (then you can put it into a larger
tub). They will stay nicely pressed and ready when
you finish your sewing!
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Nancy's Sewing Room
So it is
written, “As you shall sew, so ye shall rip.
Profound? Okay, maybe not. But certainly
realistic. As a person who frequently encounters this
unfortunate reality of life, I consider myself to be
well-stocked with tools and tricks of the trade to
mercifully undo what I have just done. My very favorite
tool is my simple white BERNINA seam ripper that has
come with every BERNINA machine I have ever owned. Its
slender, sharp point is never ever dull or rusty, no
matter how old it is or how I abuse or neglect it. The
little curve that cuts the thread still makes a clean
cut... It absolutely never has a burr.
A recent magazine article rated seam rippers. Much to my
dismay, it did not give my little buddy, “Jack” his due.
They mentioned many fine tools and yes on the first day
on the job many present themselves well. But, do they
hold up? Do they justify their cost? Not even close…
Do you wonder if I have finally slipped off the edge
feeling this much passion for a seam ripper? I challenge
all who read this to come in and purchase one. (They
come with or without sewing machines!) I warn you
however. The conclusion is sure to follow, gee if
BERNINA makes a simple seam ripper this reliable; I
wonder what their sewing machines are like?
To rip or not to rip, that is the question…
I only wish that other mistakes in life were as simple
to repair as the mistakes I make in the sewing room. I
need a “Jack” to take back that misspoken word, the
consequences of the broken promise or that missed
opportunity to help someone. Those regrettable things
that no matter how carefully and sadly I pick at it,
stay wrong.
As a new year presents itself in “the sewing room of
life”, let’s let all our mistakes become creative
opportunities. Be it in a mismatched seam, botched
embroidery, or a misstep with a friend or family member.
Let’s all pledge to fix it, be it with a button, or a
hug. Even if we can’t undo it, we can show we care.
Sometimes just that expression of concern can make a big
difference.
When we are in the sewing room and a challenging idea
presents itself, let’s not hesitate for fear of making a
mistake. Just remember, “It’s only thread, GO for it!”
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