What’s the Difference
Keeping like items grouped together makes for impromptu fun.
In visiting with someone that had happened to see one of my blog posts, they asked what the difference was in doing day-to-day sewing compared to what I refer to as my “sewing studio.” Hmm. Sewing carpet rags together for my Mom by the north window of my family’s kitchen may have meant that occasionally stray threads somehow got on the round oak kitchen table.
When we had our own farm home, the dining room table was a sweet spot to put my Sears Kenmore portable sewing machine. It was easy to keep an eye on Carrie and Kevin, and when I looked through the west windows I could take in their swing set as well as the sand box. The sewing project could stay on the dining room table as we ate in the kitchen. Company coming meant the sewing machine and the threads and fuzz needed to be tucked in the bedroom closet. In times to come, no matter where we called home, I always found a spot for that Sears Kenmore sewing machine within the home ready to be set up to mend or sew clothing.
Overhead lights and table lamps make for easy on the eyes.
Going back to the days of sewing for the whole family I never dreamed that one day I would be a retired government worker, still just as much in love with all things fabric and thread as I was then. What has happened is that there has become this collection of sewing items from friends, family and purchases. As long as I can keep it tidy and organized, I am all in. That is not to say that my interests are just with fabric. Any type of craft tweaks my interest, thus I do not turn down any donation of supplies. What had been a rather dark basement that was prone to being damp is now a bright, dry tricked out sewing studio. No matter if I sew non-stop for days on end or if I get caught up in gardening, my projects are always right where I left them. If I need a supply I know just which shelf or which drawer to open.
I know I have arrived in being a hands on crafty person when I can come up with new projects and not have to think of going to a store. Out comes the graph paper and pencil and a plan is in progress. The joy of my sewing studio is creating with what I have on hand. Making do is rewarding. There does come a request every now and then that needs special items. I still like to incorporate from my stashes. The largest quilt I have quilted with my Bernina sewing machine is 84″ x 84″. It does take a lot of maneuvering and a bit of sweet talk to my shoulders, arms and hands. With arthritis . . . if you don’t use it you loose it.
I realize that not everyone is a fan of all things home spun. That’s o.k. I do what I do because I enjoy it. It’s good for the brain to puzzle out patterns using math skills. I have way too much fun in my sewing studio. You cannot believe some of the requests that I have had. An example: “A shirt I ordered came with two left sleeves, can you fix it? The answer . . . “Hell yes!”
So as to not put Dennis in second place or to leave him abandoned for too long, my trusty old laptop is right here for him to play cribbage on and there might even be a few snacks about. No, I haven’t as yet gotten a secondary coffee maker. It doesn’t hurt for me to head upstairs now and then to see what is happening on the ground level.
So perhaps there is no difference in day-to-day sewing or having a sewing studio as long as it brings happiness, contentment and self satisfaction . . . just DO IT!