I am sure you haven’t noticed at all, but the gaps between posts here have been getting significantly bigger and bigger. It’s almost like I’ve got a life beyond the computer. Almost. I know this is hard to believe, but it’s a little bit true.
The main thing that has been occupying my time lately is my sewing machine! I brought this in the January sales the year before last. At the time I was drugged up to the eyeballs on a cocktail of painkillers and antibiotics (after spending Christmas with my tonsils encrusted with the most pain-inducing pustulations you ever did see). I think the tonsillitis medication combined with copious amounts of egg-nog and Bailey’s was all it needed for me to hand over all my John Lewis vouchers in exchange for this nifty little machine. Yes, I was going to be the next Stella McCartney – how hard could it be?
Well, after the drugs wore off and I realised what I had done, I had a go at using the thing. This was nothing like the antique sewing-machine-come-sideboard we had in the house as a child. Oh no, this one had electricity and dials and no rust. Perhaps little less ‘charming’ but would be altogether more functional. Probably. If I wasn’t too scared to use it.
Over the next few months I managed to use it once or twice with limited (and that’s being generous) results. Realising I needed help – lots of help – I enlisted in a dressmaking class. This was a great move if only because I can now thread my sewing machine up in about 10 seconds as opposed to over an hour. I managed to make a few clumsy looking items of clothing, some of which I even wore in public. However, with every new skill I encountered came the realisation that perhaps I wasn’t in the Stella league after all.
I should also point out a greedy, new obsession that started at this time; an addiction to beautiful, vintage (although sometimes new and designery) fabric. Oooh it’s so nice. Big swathes of it (if I’m lucky) or little scraps of it. I’ve always loved colour and pattern (and bargains) and this was ticking all the right boxes for me. Initially I was imagining myself in dresses and skirts made in all this retro, vintage loveliness, but… there was a wee problem there. Making clothes, clothes for me, just wasn’t… fun. When I made something, even though I’d spent AGES getting it just right and fitting it perfectly, I just wouldn’t like it. It all ended up a bit disappointing really and I backed away from the whole sewing thing altogether.
But then, two things dawned on me. Firstly, there are other things to make instead of clothes! Yes, I know, it’s very, very obvious and I could probably have come to this conclusion a lot sooner if I had spoken to any random stranger who knew nothing about me or about sewing or the dilemma I was having. I don’t have to make clothes. I can makes ‘things’! Things are much more fun. You don’t have to worry about dress sizes, and that’s a big help (especially with my big bum). Plus, ‘things’ include bags! I LOVE (with a capital L, O, V and E) bags of all description. Joy! Oh, and secondly, it’s really OK to keep things simple. You’re allowed to keep it simple. And it honestly doesn’t matter (and who cares) if you never, ever learn how to sew a buttonhole. Just doesn’t matter!
The relief after realising these two things was immense and I literally dived into my stash of fabric and started making things after it. And I had fun. At last.
So, here are a few of the ‘things’ I have made so far. To be honest I’ve only dared to use the fabric I’ve either got loads of or am not too fussed about. Hopefully as I make more ‘things’ then I’ll have the confidence to chop into some of the really good stuff.
And to all friends and family – forget those expensive shop-brought, gadgety, 21st-century presents of yesteryear – from now I’m making everything! Man-bags are fashionable, aren’t they?
Above is my new work bag, I made this myself, you know! Goes across the body, I like that.
Oh, what a surprise, another bag! This one is from a brilliant tutorial which I found on my new favourite blog tinyhappy.
This is a thing for putting your tissues in. I didn’t know I needed one until I made it. Look at those neat little stitches. That was me!
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