Talking with my mother about this project, I am learning more and more where I get some of my organizational quirks: color coding, typing, filing, clipping, binding, and storage. Unlike her, I have yet to graduate to the class of organizing mavens who use a massive, it-can-save-the-world-one-label-at-a-time label maker. Yet. I still mourn relinquishing my Hello Kitty P-Touch when I left Japan. There simply wasn't enough room in my suitcase. As of now, I am on the hunt for a cute label maker for my moments of weakness. In a paperless world, the labels are simply applied with a few clicks and keystrokes, hence negating the utility of a label maker. It's not the same though.
My mother is crafty: knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking, decorating-- all talents which have apparently elected not to show up in my DNA. She makes cute things all the time, and I sit in awe (and envy) of her finesse. We have been discussing my desire to invest in a sewing machine, but like any worthwhile investment the weighing of pros and cons is essential. I am a perfectionist. I am an overachiever. I get easily frustrated when I cannot do something. I get very annoyed when I cannot increase my learning curve quickly. This combination alone pushes down heavily on the con side of this discussion. Conversely, I am motivated. I am hardworking. I have free time that desperately needs occupation. I feel compelled to become a domestic goddess. I don't want to spend all my dinero on Etsy!
Where does this leave me? At a crossroads, I guess.
Soul Patchwork
Recalling my Girl Scout roots, I see this challenge as prime opportunity to score some new patches for my sash. I had forgotten how excited I used I get when I would work on my requirements for each patch. At the end of the day, they were badges of honor and hard work (and colorful reminders there of). This time around, the end result would be customized home accents for my new homestead. I prefer not to use the term 'nest' as this bird's flying solo at the moment (and not expecting any permanent company any time soon).
My work schedule and line of work has a tendency to impact my ability to take classes (academic or leisure), but sewing is readily available during the day time in my locale. Hartsdale Fabrics is a mom & pop shop near where I live, and my friend works there. Without Mom close by to help me fix my sewing catastrophes, having the expertise of a reputable local business is reassuring. The added bonus of supporting a local business makes me giddy inside, even if it ends up being a few dollars more expensive. Quality trumps quantity almost any day of the week in my book.
Raiding the Stash
Today, My Sewing Goddess (better known as Mom) and I went out to lunch after Dad unearthed my sewing machine from the attic. After a lovely soup-salad-n-breadsticks lunch for two, Joann Fabrics was our next stop. I have gone to craft and fabric stores with my mom since I was a little girl. I always find the process equally inspiring and intimidating.
With a 4th of July sale in progress, I was able to pick up three small bundles of fabric for 50% off! I am excited as some of them are Japanese style prints, which will be right at home in my New York apartment. Living in Japan as long as I have, influnces are easily seen in my decorating choices. It may be a comfort zone for me, but I feel it keeps me connected to a very special adventure in my life. With Dad's discovery of my old sewing machine in the attic, it certainly allowed me to go about selecting items to work on.
My first project will be two sets of double sided placemats! After several rounds of rearranging and contemplation, I managed to sort the material into four sets of four. I found a nifty pattern at The Sewing Republic which I am chomping at the bit to start. I started to get carried away, and wound up printing out a couple of other cute (and slightly more complicated) projects to work up to. I also have a secret project, but due to its nature, it must remain a secret... for now.
The only snag I encountered was as my sewing machine was not functioning as it should, most likely a result of nonuse, lack of maintenance, and being tucked away in storage for nearly nine years. Tomorrow, I go on a quest for sewing machine oil and to give my little Brother VX-808 a tune up. So unforunately, there was not much actual sewing done today, just gathering ideas and trimming up fabric.
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