Getting crafty

Ever since I was young, I thought it would be cool to know how to sew. However, I never took home-ec in high school or even watched another person sew, so I thought this would always be a dream. Last year for Mother's Day Jim got me a sewing machine. It was a very thoughtful gift. However, I just had Claire a few weeks earlier, so it wasn't the best time to embark on a new hobby. When Mother's Day rolled around this year and I hadn't even opened my gift from last year, I knew it was time to put the excuses aside and jump off this cliff.

I was terrified. The idea of doing something and not being good at it was appalling. I've never considered myself particularly crafty or artistic. What if I couldn't figure it out? There are so many terms, how will I ever understand them all? What if everything I make is crooked and ugly? I knew my perfectionism would rear it's ugly head and I worried I would beat myself up in the process. Then I had a little "ah-ha" moment. What if nothing I make is perfect, but ends up being good enough? Maybe learning to sew is exactly what my soul needs.

So off I went to the fabulous new JoAnn's near my house to attend a "Sewing 101" class. There were six of us in the class and thankfully I wasn't the only one who had no idea how to thread a bobbin. The teacher was enthusiastic and patient. I expected we would just learn about our machines and practice some stitching, but we actually got to make something! After two hours I walked out with a new drawstring bag! It's has all sorts of imperfections, yet it is completely perfect!

Next, I'm going to finish unpacking in the basement so I can make room to set up my machine. I think my first project is going to be an apron for Maggie, and later a matching one for me and Claire. Thanks to my friend Sarah for her inspiration and encouragement. Thanks to my wonderful husband for his insight and support. Here we go!