It wasn’t my experience to have anyone in my family teach me to sew when I was a youngster. I was in my mid-30s when I decided to learn to sew and bought my first sewing machine in 1991 (named Optima Prime). Unfortunately, I discovered that clothing patterns took for granted that I knew what I was doing. I did not have a clue.

Results of my sewing efforts went straight to the reject pile as they were not fit for public viewing. I was afraid that even my dogs would laugh at me. It was about that time that I noticed quilting fabric had emerged from its version of the Dark Ages and had evolved into a spectacular array of vivid colors and prints. That’s when I entertained the idea of quilting, as I thought, “Short, straight lines. How hard can that be?” (Famous last words, as I know you know.)

By the time I acknowledged my quilting fabric addiction, the change in sewing technology was noticeable and downright remarkable. I got to the point where I wanted a machine with more features, more stitches, more power. [Insert evil scientist laugh here.] Optima Prime was a good machine and had a sentimental place in my heart, but it just wasn’t meeting my needs. It’s common enough in relationships that one partner grows and the other doesn’t. Time for a change. I waited for a sale and bought a newer, floor model.

I ooh-ed and aah-ed over my second machine, La Segunda. I gave it the place of honor on the sewing surface. It was lighter (the old one weighed a ton), had over a hundred stitches (my first machine had 21), and all kinds of other goodies. I dragged it everywhere in the central Texas area for class after class. I showed it off to everyone and dreamed of happily-forever-after sewing projects.

It was a shock to me that when the getting-to-know-each-other honeymoon was over, La Segunda and I discovered we weren’t compatible. I tried counseling (more classes, lots more classes). Even after a few years we still hadn’t bonded. The spark just wasn’t there. I wondered if it was jealous of Optima Prime that I had hidden in the closet. Could La Segunda tell that I still have feelings for my first love? Were they fighting behind my back while I was at the office? I envisioned a Transformers-like battle with the two machines rising out of their cases, reinventing themselves as mobile sewing Destructo Trucks.

I fretted. Was this my fault, all my fault? I gnashed my teeth, clenched my fists, begged La Segunda to tell me what was wrong. It gave me the silent treatment, expressing its displeasure in being difficult to use. Should I consider yet another machine? Deep sigh. I couldn’t rationalize three machines and I refused to get rid of my first one, Optima Prime. That meant La Segunda had to go.

Around that time, a new series of sewing machines had just been announced and caught my attention. I got all goo-goo eyed just thinking about starting over. New bells and whistles! New classes! Yes, a whole new sewing life, starting fresh! This time it would be different, I promised myself. I cleaned up La Segunda and traded it in. I wish it well in finding the right partner, maybe a one-sewing-machine home where there is no competition.

And now? My new machine is cool, calm, and collected, without one ounce of jealousy, due to its level of technology and intellect. Welcome home, Spock. Spock has the good sense to acknowledge Optima Prime as its forerunner and give it respect. Optima Prime has come out of the closet and sits under the sewing table, ready for occasional use, without either one feeling threatened. Life is good. Live long and prosper.

[This is my latest Thread Tales column, for the newsletter of the Austin chapter of the American Sewing Guild.]

Here’s my Thread Tales column for the July newsletter for Austin chapter of the American Sewing Guild.

Hand Made Gifts

I make no secret about how much I like – love – fabric.  It’s beautiful in its natural state.  I also love making gifts for my family and friends.  When I give my gifts, the recipients know that someone spent time actually thinking about them.  I like that, too.

I have a long list of items that I can make as gifts.  These items are on the small side, so that I have a chance at actually making them in time for the upcoming occasion.  No heirloom quilts or wedding dresses for my family and friends, at least not from me.

While cleaning off my computer desk top — looking for something else, of course — I found my master gift list.  I counted 37 items on my gifts-to-make list.  I already have all the fabric, patterns, thread and other notions to make any of them at a moment’s notice. I’m just not sure when that “moment’s notice” might be because I have made only eight of these items, and none in recent memory.

Everyone’s birthday is recorded on my smart phone’s calendar.  And I know when Christmas is, of course, but it sneaks up on me each year anyway.  (It’s the end of May as I write this and I’m almost ready for last Christmas.)  Maybe I’m calendar challenged.  But that still leaves me with good intentions and zero results.

I looked at the calendar. My best friend’s birthday is coming up.  I looked at the pattern and fabric I bought for her future gift.  I looked at the calendar again.  Wasn’t going to happen.

A hand made gift, just waiting to happen

But there it was, fabric and pattern all kitted up.  All it needed was for someone to take the time to turn it into a handmade gift.  But, if not me, then who?  That’s when it hit me!  Judy can turn it into a handmade gift!  All I had to do was put the kit in a gift bag and voilà!  Happy Birthday, Judy!  

 (This is so much faster than actually making a gift.  However, I don’t recommend it for those of you who have promised someone to make an heirloom quilt or wedding dress for them.  Handing over a sports equipment-sized bag of fabric, notions and a pattern instead of the finished product might not go over so well in those situations.  The gift bag I used was store bought, of course, or else I’d be late in giving my almost-handmade gift.  Yes, it is always something.)