"Quilter's Block"

Dear Friends and Family,  last week I was in a sewing "funk" . . . "quilter's block" I called it . . . similar to writer's block, I suppose.  I just couldn't bring myself to sit at the sewing machine and do anything . . . nothing was inspiring me . . . winter doldrums? who knows! 

      One evening I was sitting in my chair getting ready to listen to a web cast on something from Bernina.  I was staring at my pile of "stuff" near my sewing machine and thought I could just do some seam ripping while listening to the presentation.  I picked up a summer shirt of Jeff's that needed the collar turned . . . something I'd never done, but thought I should so he could still wear the shirt.  This would fall into the category of MENDING.  For those of you who know me really well, you may know that I don't do MENDING . . . I've convinced my hubby, Jeff, that MENDING, for me, is a 4-letter word and I just can't do it . . . my sewing machine is meant for a "higher" purpose . . . sewing buttons on, repairing hems, fixing this or that were things I couldn't bring myself to do . . . my hands would start shaking at the thought of it!  

     When we lived in PA and worked our "regular" jobs, we accumulated a pile of MENDING over the course of a year.  Then my parents would come visit and my mom would take pity on Jeff and do the MENDING (for her favorite SIL!).  God bless her!  I just didn't do MENDING.  One weekend my BIL, Scott came to visit.  He said he had a favor to ask me . . . would I do some MENDING for him . . .  ARGH!. . . he need a button sewn on or something . . . I thought "Hell must have frozen over; Jeff will have a fit if I do Scott's MENDING and not his own . . . this can't be good!"  Now seriously, this was a big dilemma for me . . . my stomach still gets queasy thinking about it!  I did the MENDING for Scott and swore him to not flaunt it to Jeff . . . I felt like a traitor . . . unbelievable!  When I met Jeff he would repair his pant hems with staples or Scotch tape . . . not the kind of thing a seamstress wants to have to admit.

     Anyway, here I was, after all these years of avoiding MENDING, actually thinking of sitting and doing it  . . . my mother would be so proud!  I started the web cast and sat ripping out the seam of the collar so I could flip it over, re-insert it and sew it back on.  Once I had the collar pinned in place, I paused the web cast and went to my sewing machine to finish the task.  I sewed it in place and was getting ready to button the collar down, but one button was broken and had to be replaced . . . imagine me, sewing on a button!  I did it, buttoned the collar and showed Jeff.  He said "Wow, that looks like a professional did it!" . . . I was tickled pink!  I told him the shirt had special meaning to me . . . it was his favorite summer shirt and he'd worn it on our first date . . . he got the biggest smile on his face and it made me realize that MENDING isn't a 4-letter word . . . sometimes, MENDING can be an effort from the heart.

     Here's hoping all of your stitches, whether for quilting, sewing or MENDING, are happy ones!

All the best,

Kim

Happy New Year

Dear Friends and Family, I hope you had a lovely Christmas and a wonderful New Year's celebration.  We had LOTS of house guests for the week and we served dinner most nights.  We offered lobster for dinner on New Year's Eve and that was a blast . . . with Jimmy Buffett music in the background and a casual theme at the dining room tables, everyone enjoyed the feast!

Vintage Knits for Modern Babies

     It's the new year and my mission "Operation Finish-It" is officially kicking off.  I just finished a sweet little hat for our great-niece, Lexi  . . . she's "Little Lexi" and 4 months old; Alexis is called "Big Lexi" to keep from us all being confused!.  I couldn't resist starting something  around Christmas (I had the yarn on hand) and it was a quick project.  From the book, Vintage Knits for Modern Babies, the hat is knit in simple stockinette and a band with a button for securing under Little Lexi's chin.  Below is a picture of the yarn 'cause I can't find the hat!  I have until the end of January to find it when Little Lexi comes to visit! 

Extra Soft Merino in Lavender

     We were lucky enough to have a snow storm on Wednesday (12" of new powder, yes!) and I got quality time with my sewing machine! I pulled out the flannel fabric and pattern for pj pants that I planned to make for Alexis for Christmas (opps, missed THAT deadline).  Even with interruptions I actually got them cut out and sewn in the same day (unheard of for me).  I had to have Alexis try them on to measure the hem and check how much elastic was needed at the waist . . . she was a total giggle box every time I checked the waist band . . . what a noodle head!  She got to wear them that night, though, and she was delighted!  Cute flannel with girlie stuff on it for my girlie-girl!  So that's 2 finished projects so far . . . can I keep a running tally somewhere on this blog?  Hmm, I'll have to look for that feature! 
     Here's my helpful 411 for the day . . . Gingher scissors are the industry standard for quilting and sewing.  Forged from high carbon cutlery steel, the scissors are finished with hand tuning to ensure the precision cutting and high performance we are all accustomed to having.  And, though they are a bit pricey, they are well worth the investment  . . . I've had mine for over 15 years.  But, I keep dropping them (usually on the concrete floor in the basement) and they just don't work so well after that!  I've sent them to Gingher for sharpening and repair several times now.  It's a bargain at $7.50 per pair (which includes return shipping) and it is a whole lot better than buying a new pair of scissors!  Here's the link for the address and the details: Gingher sharpening and repair.  The link also includes some helpful info on general maintenance to keep your scissors in top working order.  Mine "take a lickin' and keep on tickin'" . . . or cutting actually!
      And one last word about scissors . . . keep your fabric cutting scissors AWAY from the paper  . . . it's really true . . . cutting paper with your good fabric cutting scissors will dull the blades . . . get a separate pair for cutting paper and keep the Ginghers out of reach of your children, husband and visiting friends/relatives who might not know that it matters!

Phin attacks the yarn! ^..^

     Hope you are having luck finishing your own projects.  Hope, too, that all your stitches are happy ones!
     All the best,
     Kim                           
p.s. Phin likes yarn . . . who knew!