The Inadvertent Seamstress

Inadvertent  [in-uhd-VER-tnt] adjective  1.  unintentional

Recently I took my not-often-used sewing machine out of the closet to work on a small tailoring project.  When I pressed on the go-pedal, a horrible screeching sound ensued, and the machine refused to run.  Though Ron offered to look at it, I decided it wouldn't be worth his time and took it to the sewing machine repair shop.  For $65, they performed routine maintenance and declared it perfectly usable.  As I suspected, lack of use was the culprit.  There is a little motor and moving parts, after all, and they'll run forever if properly cared for, including use. I asked what they would recommend as minimum usage.  When pressed, I whispered I maybe used it a couple times a year.  After a moment to collect her wits, the woman I asked said, "Well, around here we use our machines every day.  But I think once a month would be okay." 

Though I'm plenty happy with parameters (Once a month?  Done!), it wasn't at all on my radar to add sewing to my busy list of activities.  However, if I have to have it serviced for every occasional use,  the per-use cost becomes prohibitive.  And since some work is only done with a sewing machine, I like to keep one around.  So.....in order to keep my machine running, I need to use it once a month. 

As mentioned here previously, I have a love-hate relationship with sewing.  My Mom was a master seamstress, as were many women of her time.  For years she made shirts for my three brothers and dresses for me. She did sewing for hire, during the time women wore dresses covered with sequins.  Like this, though with late 50's sensibilities; every sequin sewn on by hand. 

Source:  SilkFred

 
I don't remember my Mom ever offering to show me how to sew.  I'm pretty sure that would be because I was out in the dirt playing "farm" with my brothers with plastic animals.  I wasn't a girly-girl.  At all.  

Source:  etsy

I purchased the machine pictured above in the mid-80's when I was determined once again to learn to sew, and wanted the variety of stitches it offered.  HAHAHA!  The machine doesn't make the seamstress!  I actually did make a number of articles of clothing, mostly shirts and matching t-shirt/shorts outfits.  But interests come and go....

To the present.  First I considered the few tailoring projects I've been working on.  As mentioned before, I'm no clothes horse.  However, I do like what I like.  It's the old saw:  if you go shopping and pick from the offerings, you're sure to find something.  If you go shopping with something in mind, well, good luck.  Recently it's been pajamas. Mine are wearing out.  I prefer t-shirt and short sets.  What's available?  T-shirt and long pants sets.  Easy enough:  buy the long pants sets, cut off the legs to the desired length, hem.  With the sewing machine.  After that....I jumped on the WWW and took a dive into the topic of Beginner Sewing Projects.  What a fun bit of research that has been!  I'll pass on receiving blankets, burp cloths, bibs, dresses made from t-shirts, anything with a zipper,  hair scrunchies.  Possible, though, would be making my own pajamas, a lap blanket, a bib apron, totes to replace plastic bags when shopping, an infinity scarf, a poncho, a kimono, seasonal placemats or napkins. Hmmm.  Seems possible.

And if it came down to it, I could always pull the sewing machine out, plug it in, put a book or brick on the foot pedal and let 'er run.  Like Ron occasionally starts the snow blower or chain saw when they're out of season.  I'm liking the idea of projects better, though.

As it happened, November's Project-of-the Month was already in the works.  Ron and the dogs go for walks in the forest no matter the season, and during hunting season blaze orange is de rigeuer.  Hats are readily available for people, and that's what he wears.  We like putting scarves around the dogs' necks, but dog scarves take a beating and need to be replaced often.  We have trouble finding blaze orange scarves.  I suggested one of us stop by the fabric store for some blaze orange and make our own.  Ron took on that project. 

A plentitude of scarves.

In use.

So, here I am, an Inadvertent Seamstress. Unintentional.  Accidental.  Unplanned.  It's in the category of routine maintenance, but has the potential for a lot more fun than say.....house cleaning!  I'll keep you posted.