Red sequins

I haven't been able to decide what I am. Crafter? Needle worker? Crocheter? Project starter? My friend Ann has a brilliant license plate, "DABBLER". I have no real idea how many projects I have started and that now live in zip lock bags. It’s a guilt pang. Why? My paternal Grandmother had various interests. My Mother finishes every project she starts. I can’t concentrate on one project for more than two weeks. I blame the ADD it makes easier. I even buy other people’s unfinished projects. I have come across some un finished embroideries recently. Beautiful designs that are almost finished. I wonder why they were left undone. Did the stitcher get bored? Did she have more pressing projects? Did she hate her stitches? Were her hands arthritic? I want to finish them, should I continue their work or pick out their threads and start over? What would I want someone to do with my unfinished work? I could ask these questions all day. I found an old project today, a calendar from 1981. I think it was a gift from my maternal Grandmother. It the kind that you sew beads and sequins on. When I opened it I remember thinking it would take forever to finish. I sewed the beads and sequins clumsily. I am sure that the slow pace frustrated me. I can look at it now, a little more than half done and visualize completing it. It’s a calendar from 1981. I was 12 years old when I started the calendar. It won’t be accurate again until 2015. Maybe that’s reason enough to buy more sequins. Maybe it’s the reason to finish what’s been started regardless of when it was started or by whom.

Too many things are racing through my brain. They night is too long and morning is too soon. I am trying to remeber to "sit with my breath". I pull a needle through soft cotton fabric, each small stitch the legnth of a grain of rice. Simple lines cross to make intricate patterns. I borrowed the image to show the eleganance of Sashiko. It could be a zen practice its like yoga for my hands and thoughts.

It’ long time since I have written, as usual. I always read about famous authors that hate writing but feel compelled to do so. Am I caught in that cliché’? It would seem my creative thoughts have paralyzed me; I have too many ideas and too much potential, too gifted. What a ridiculous thing to complain about. I have to laugh. My first sewing machine died. It is a 40 year old Bradley with zigzag and 22 decorative stitches. My MoM gave me the Bradley. The weight of it always felt real. I wish I could bottle its scent. When I was small I would lie under the dining table and feel comforted by the sound it would make. I was trying to make doll clothes when it began to give me trouble. Dan at Renton Sewing and Vacuum broke the news carefully. The cams are cracked and replacing them would be difficult and costly. He advised me to invest in a new machine. Joe at Esser’s Garage told me the same thing about my first car 22 years ago. I have a 53 year old 221 Singer featherweight. It is beige and gorgeous. But there is something about your first something that means everything. My brother gave me his machine. It’s a man’s machine, an Alcon. I call it Big AL and it’s incredibly heavy and meant for serious business. My Aunt Joan sent me her 86 year old 221 Singer featherweight; it’s worn, graceful and simply hums. MoM and I went to Sew Expo to shop for a new machine. Women expressed their condolences for the loss of the Bradley and offered suggestions. The models and options were overwhelming, but I had done my research and set my budget. We found a Brother 9500SQ, needle down, walking foot, 100 decorative stitches and most importantly purple trim. Yes, I said purple. Like a big grown up girl and presented my credit card, the saleswoman smiled and took my MoM’s instead. My Mother gave me another Brother. My Mother gave me sewing skills, fabric, tools and encouragement Does it sound like I am expert? I am not. I am puzzled by the sewing process and enamored with machines. Old machines have a history and purpose. I think my fascination with them feeds my search for my history and purpose, one stitch at a time.

The new zoo revue.

I have the urge to put the presser foot down and lay some seams. Both my sewing machines are whining for a tune up but the need to put needle to fabric is too great and really what else do I have to do?

I bought 2 patterns by Valori Wells that are fun and relatively fast. The little wallet and cell wallet sewing cards are well written and concise. They are a great way to use scraps or a fat quarter. I used a medium weight stabilizer for the little wallets; if I make more I’ll switch to a light weight one. I would also invest in a different snap setter. The Dritz plastic snaps I used are a little bulky. I really like clear sew on snaps but I am not sure they will stand up to long term snapping. The only thing I really had trouble with was the 1/8 inch top stitch on the flap. But that’s what I get for trying to sew and watch NCIS.

Valori’s website (valoriwells.com) is well designed and easy to navigate. She integrates quilting, painting and photography. It’s inspiring to see how she incorporates all of her interests into her projects.