STARTING A SEWING CLASS

I need help. No confidence with my skills and intimidated by the sewing machine, and now I'm at a point with our Patchwork Quilts, that it would be best to machine sew the long strips together. Searched on sewing classes in my town, which is Danvers, and found "let's Get sewing". A woman does this out of her home, in her studio, formerly a garage, then a bedroom for her son, now grown and married, living elsewhere. So I began.

Last night class went well. I was with two young women, late twenties, early thirties perhaps, also just learning to sew. Their immediate motivation was to cover some couch and chair pillow backs from what they ARE to their own decor. 

They were both very nice, and like me, eager, yet nervous, about the machines. We all wound our bobbins and threaded our machines and did some practice stitching, on a white piece of muslin given to us by Donna, the Teacher. And then.... they went to the Cutting Table to begin that part of their projects, and after ironing my seams open, I stitched my first strip. 

Stitches came out great! BUT some of the ends of the hand-stitching is too loose and it was a problem. kind of hard to explain without showing.... but the upshot is, I have to take out that stitching and work on all those loose ends. (Sounds like a Parable for Life, don't you think?)

So, I am planning to get out the stitching sometime today, and over the next few days, do just that.... work on the loose ends, and then re-pin, and try to be ready next week to stitch the strips and have it come out all right. Not necessarily perfect, but OK.

And that's my story, for now. 

AND THEN... SOME MORE

I was talking to my brother Kenny on the phone, which we try to do every couple of weeks, to keep in touch--- after all, we are all each other have, now tht our parents are gone. I was telling him about the lap quilts I've started work on for my husband Jack and me, and in the interest of making conversation, asked him if he'd like me to make one for him. And he said YES! So now I will be working on a third......and I'm thinking about Dresden Plates.

So, in September, I begin. Took one day, no actual stitching per se, nevertheless an important part of the whole process--- cutting. Today, through trial and error, I made several templates to use to cut out Dresden Plates--- 142 in assorted fabrics, mainly from remnants and small pieces. I picked patterns that were darker--- blues, grays, greens, browns,florals that were nature-oriented rather than feminine.... as this is going to be the lap quilt/throw for my brother Kenny. Having done some planning on size and number of pieces and all, I over-cut.... by 34! Not to go to waste.... already thinking of future projects..... smaller than throw size...... pillowcases, or placemats!  

Kenny's throw should look something like this:

AND THEN....

Having completed my first quilt awhile ago, for my grandson Simon, and "rested up" from it.... I have started up again, with not one but TWO quilts. Making patchwork lap quilts for my husband and I, for the winter, which will come again, eventually, unfortunately. His core color is blue, different prints, including some with maritime themes, plus other colors, and my core color is red, florals and mini prints, with other colors. Simple--- she said hopefully. Cut out 96-6 inch squares, and then another 96-6 inch squares, over two days in June 2014!!! July and August, hand-stitched these, first into pairs, then quads, then strips......

Thanks to mom for getting me started!

HOW MY STITCHING BEGAN

THIS IS HOW IT CAME ABOUT:

Because she was facing cancer & surgery which was very agressive and very serious, my birth mother, whom I met fourteen years ago, and with whom I have become good friends, told me she has been  thinking about her LEGACY. And talking with all her children, including  me. This was in the spring of 2013.

She won't have money or property to leave. She'd like to leave some of her knowledge & skills, and her greatest skill is quilting. She asked me  if I'd like to learn, that she could leave that as a legacy to me. I talked to her about not liking sewing & attempts made while at the Haven of Grace, where I lived and worked for a time, in Woonsocket RI, where sewing was a required activity. About not having good eye-hand coordination  and low frustration levels. We talked it through, and came to the conclusion....... that we will TRY. She will try to teach and I will try to learn.

So once she had some recovery and knew her treatment plan..... we made plans for me to go out there--- alone (as there was NOTHING for my husband to do there while we're engaged, and if home he can go see his kids & granddaughter & do some of his volunteer work).... on weekends and start the process.

Handiwork here I come! We're looking at patterns for small and easy baby quilts for Nug. And just WHO is Nug? My first grandchild, expected in December!!!

THIS WAS MY GOOD FRIEND D'V'S REPLY TO THIS: 

What a gift!  And even if you have not had the right  coordination in the past ask the Lord and look for His provision. This is the time of those gifts being birthed. There have been and are many gifts hidden in His daughters and they include handiwork. Am so excited for you!