Wait, take a step back..... I learned to sew while in Junior High in Home Ec. Remember Home Economics? Where (mostly) girls learned to sew and cook while the boys were in wood shop making birdhouses?
Gosh that sounds so sexist in our current society's mentality. (hahaha)
Never seemed sexist to me though. I always thought we were learning life skills and I can tell you those skills have lasted a lifetime!
Anyway, I wanted a sewing machine for as long as I can remember but I wouldn't buy one because I went back and forth in my head -- would I use it? Would I not?
And then three years ago, my boyfriend (now fiancé) bought me one. I literally cried! Silly, I know but he bought it because he knew how much I wanted it and he got one much nicer than one I would have gotten for myself.
Fast forward two and a half years and that sewing machine sat, unused. He would tease me often about it, as did my family.
I wasn't ignoring the machine, believe me. I searched Pinterest high and low for a simple sewing project so I could ease back into sewing -- or at least use the darn thing once!
And then guess what happened? My sister's 60th birthday was coming up (it was July 6 by the way so I am writing this after the fact -- she reads my newsletters so I couldn't tell you about this before).
Anyway, her 60th birthday, a milestone, was coming up and I decided to make her a rag quilt. Are you familiar with a rag quilt? It's a blanket of squares and where the seams are raggedy. They are comfy and fun!
You see, my sister is the queen of all things crafty. She makes beautiful jewelry and she makes pottery. She does paper crafts too but her biggest craft contribution is rag quilts. She has made dozens of them.
In fact, she is extremely generous with her crafting expertise. I have at least five or six quilts she's made for me. My daughters must have at least a dozen in each of their families. She makes them often as gifts for friends and family.
But you know what? As is common with craftspeople, she has never made one for herself!
Soooo.... I get this bright idea to make a quilt for her. My first sewing project in literally 35 years. A quilt!
The truth is, rag quilts are fairly easy to make but more importantly they are a forgiving project. They don't have to be perfect to be beautiful and actually, like everything in life, it's their imperfections that make them most beautiful.
Now with this idea in my head, off to the fabric store I go to pick out fabrics I thought she'd like. I couldn't remember what her favorite color was (burnt orange -- what a weird choice!) so instead I chose colors of clothes she's been wearing most often lately.
Plus, because I haven't sewed in ages, I had to get all the tools too -- the cutting mat, special snipping scissors, a quilt ruler, thread, etc etc etc. And, because I suspected she'd never believe I made this myself, I took photos along the way.
Anyway, I set out to make her a quilt -- not only so I could use my sewing machine; this was a labor of love. I wanted it perfect for her. And, as it turns out, sewing is like riding a bike. Even though this machine is brand new and nearly 40 years after my last sewing project, bobbins are still wound the same and threading the machine is nearly identical!
YAY! Sewing muscle memory! There were a few hiccups and I did have to rip out a few seams here and there, but mostly the project came together beautifully.
In fact, it was so much fun; the sewing bug has taken a huge bite out of my soul! It is cathartic. It turns out; sewing is like meditation for me. I get lost in it. I don't think about work when I'm sewing and it is definitely relaxing.
So after I finished my sister's quilt, I made one for my granddaughter's birthday (it isn't until December and she doesn't read yet, so it's ok to tell you) and I have several more projects planned. JoAnn's Fabrics in Rancho Mirage has become my new best friend!
By the way, Eve knew I wanted a sewing project and she kept encouraging me to start with a rag quilt, so I asked her lots of questions about it and eventually, I started to worry she was going realize I was making one.
To throw her off, one day I said, "I finally picked a first sewing project -- I'm going to make a lab coat for Kennedy (granddaughter)". That threw her off the scent! And FYI, I had already finished her quilt by then!
So this weekend we went to her house to celebrate her 60th! I had a hard time waiting for her to open the box. When she finally did, this is how our exchange went:
Eve: "Is this a quilt I made for you?"
Me: "No, of course not"
Eve: "Where did it come from?"... then again... "Where did it come from?"....and once more in rapid succession, "Where did it come from?"
Me: "I made it for you"
Well, let's just say that stopped her in her tracks! She looked up at me incredulously and asked in wonder "YOU made this for me?"
Me (in obvious delight): "Yep, and I made it long rather than square because you have long legs"
Eve: "No you didn't"
Me: "YES, I did"
She was overwhelmed and even gave me a hug. I can't remember the last time we hugged. She kept saying "It's so beautiful" over and over.
Later she told me that no one has ever made anything especially for her and that touched my heart in a way that was both a little melancholy (that she had never received a handmade gift especially after all she has made for others) and a bit delighted that I could bring her such joy.
Eve is an amazing person who gives of herself and her craft expertise to everyone she knows. She loved the quilt and I am so happy that I could gift her something that obviously meant so much to her. All in all it was a beautiful moment and one I'll cherish forever.
If you don't already have a hobby, I encourage you to find one that brings you joy and/or one that brings joy to others. There is no better feeling in the world than making a difference for someone.
That's what we do here at Executive Errands® -- day in and day out we strive to enhance the living experience of our clients and to simplify their lives.
