In the Notion!

For any of the readers that are not around someone who sews, notions are all the items one needs to sew.  Needles, thread, scissors, snaps, hook and eyes, buttons, trims, and the list goes on and on.  Here is an example I found on Esty.  The site was RicsRelics.

Pretty much some of everything in that photo is in my sewing storage table, basket, assigned boxes.  The hemming guide I have is like the one in the photo.  Mine was purchased in the fall of 1964 so I could take Homemaking III.  I did not take the first or second year.  The teacher had me show what I could do and I was accepted.  

Suit made in 1964

That acceptance was what 4-H and my mom's teaching did for me.  Between what I have purchased for projects or found on sale and stuff from my mom's collection I have stuff not even shown.  Of course, since the 1960's there have been notions created that make sewing projects easier.  Velcro is a must-have item for many of my projects.  Double-sided fusible interfacing, stitch witchery, rotary cutters, self-healing cutting boards, ad infinitum.  

My mother was a true seamstress.  She kept up on all the latest items to make sewing easier.  If a grandchild begged to spend the night and had no PJs, no problem.  Mom would just go to her fabric stash, take a few measurements, cut out the PJs, and stitch in no time at all.  She was known to decide one morning to make something for a grandchild or daughter.  By evening the outfit would be near completion.

Making puppet eyes, 2009

Mostly over the past several years, my sewing has been more craft and home decor items.  In 2009 I made about 15 puppets and backgrounds for the puppet plays.  That puppet set went to Nicaragua for a church that members of our church were helping to rebuild.  The feedback was the children enjoyed the puppet show.  All the items remained there for the teachers to have available. 

The most complicated projects were the enclosures for the two youngest grandsons.  The project started with the lower bunk for Grandson #4.  Then Grandson #5 needed an enclosure, too.  The bottom required making 'additions' to hold bookshelves and a side table.  That took more than sewing skills, namely PVC pipes.  The top had no place to attach.  That required flexible tent poles in fabric channels.  

Today, well, Saturday as it is past midnight, I was working on a couple of blankets.  I had the flannel I had purchased to make PJ bottoms.  Those were to be for all the grandkids, Son, DIL, Ed, Hubby, and I.  Shingles happened.  So bottoms were purchased and flannel was set aside for some other project.  A couple of blankets for donation had become the use for several yards of the flannel.  One side is flannel the other side is a water-resistant fabric.  Blanket batting is sandwiched between the two fabrics.  I have one blanket ready to press and to the topstitching.  The second is ready to begin assembly.

There is one item in the picture of the sewing notions that cannot be purchased.  It cannot be borrowed.  Without it, any sewing person will tell you to not even sit down at the machine.  You will make mistakes, become frustrated, and not accomplish anything.  It is being in the notion to sew.  It takes a certain mind and emotional set to sew successfully.  Some folks, like my mom, are in the notion to sew almost all the time.  Me, not so much so.  Therefore, if I am in the notion, I go for it.  Good things happen.  Hoping I can stay in the notion to get a few of the other projects that were 'set aside'.  Yes, I am still in the notion.

Take care,

Janice

Making Things Pretty

My sister and her husband live in a lovely home up in North Texas.  She and her husband moved into the house in 1996 just in time for Christmas.  The property backs up to a local lake system.  Trees, grass, water and a wonderful outdoor space make this such a welcoming place to visit.   The process of living in the home has been such that the last couple of years has seen updating to the interior and exterior.  BIL has redone some of the front flower beds.  Sissy has overseen the interior face lifts.

This week my rusty curtain making skills are being put to the test.  We are making new valences for the kitchen dining area and guest room.  Each is a different technique for hanging.  I am sure if I had been more aware of all the new fangled header tapes the process would have been a little quicker but that is ok.  I have it figured out in my own little mind for now.  The final item we hope to do is recover a couple of window seat cushions in the guest room.  As slow as I have become it make take two trips to complete the said projects.

Dress had semi cathedral train and veil.

Work of this type must be done under the supervision of The master seamstress, Mom.  She enjoys spending time with us.  She likes watching us sew and use items we took from the downsizing of her possessions last summer.  Things like cutting boards, marking pens and measuring devices to name a few.  During the process we talk of the things she has made.  Sister's wedding gown for one thing.  How did you handle all those yards of material?  All the bead work?

Mom was a truly amazing seamstress till she damaged her right hand and shoulder in separate falls.  The final blow was the fall when she broke her wrist.  But she still has the knowledge and the willingness to share.  And we are willing to listen, which is important, too.  After all the trauma of the hip replacement, rehab an moving to assisted living last year, it is good to see her walk outside to look at BIL's newest garden area.  It highlights her birdbath and two posts she always put on her front porch.

I am finally rested from the whole prep and selling of our home, the death of Husband's Mom and our relocation back to a my home state.  We are still settling into the apartment but at a casual pace.  Husband is near the end of the final estate closeout of his Mom and Dad's finances.  The gravestone for his Mom is engraved.  It feels like that chapter of our life is about to come to a close.  It is so good to drive after an afternoon lacrosse game and be with my sister and mother.  It is a joy to see grandsons weekly.  I pleases me to get a request for Grandma's cinnamon rolls next weekend.  And just doing some sewing for my Sissy to make things pretty.