Sewing Again

At Christmas, my wonderful, amazing husband gave me a sewing machine. For many people, they don't understand the significance of this gift, But, oh my gosh, I was so excited!! This could not have been more a perfect thing for me to receive!

I have loved sewing since I learned in high school, and spent years loving this hobby and creating all kinds of things. Then, several years ago, I entered into a new "relationship" with a sewing machine I bought from a very nice sewing store. Needless to say, the pricetag was more than I had ever spent on a machine before, so I assumed my experience would be a great one! What I learned is that the fancier model was not a good match for me, and I spent years agonizing over my inability to "communicate" with this sewing machine. We took lessons, I sent it in to be repaired, I brought it back to the store where it was purchased, all to no avail. The sales lady and repairman repeatedly (and yes, gently) gave me the message that the actual machine was fine, but the problem was user error.

User error? I have years of experience with other sewing machines! I can tell the difference between a bobbin and a needle! I know the best times to use a zig-zag stitch, or when a straight stitch is more suitable! What do you mean? User error?? So, I brought my sewing machine back home, and we continued to not get along. I finally even tried to sell it at a garage sale, but nobody wanted it. Looking back, I can't blame them--my sales pitch was probably not the most convincing when they asked if it worked! ("Well, it didn't work for me, but the repairman says it was all user error!") In the end, I quit sewing. I put the machine in the box, stuck it in the basemenet, and cringed every time I saw it when I went down there. And sadly, I quit sewing...... I decided to break off that relationship and just give up on sewing. I just couldn't bring myself to part with another chunk of money to find another machine that would hopefully work for me.

The more the years went by, the more I missed sewing. When I was near fabric in a store, I looked at it longingly, thinking of all the things I could make. My mom asked me to come with her to a fancy sewing store so she could buy herself a new machine, and I felt envious. She wanted to re-learn how to sew and begin quilting like her mother--my grandma--used to do when she was alive. I missed the thrill of seeing a project come together--figuring out how all these random pieces can come together to create something beautiful! These random, edgy, peculiar, odd-shaped pieces that look like nothing all have a very specific purpose when you understand how they fit into the bigger picture.

So, now that I have a new sewing machine, I have now begun to sew again, and I am making up for lost time! I have begun to sew bags--tote bags, book bags, netbook (small computer) bags, etc. I am taking patterns and making bags, and creating my own bags without a pattern. I am having so much fun! I am again feeling very fulfilled from seeing projects come together to create something beautiful!

I have now created so many bags, though, that I need to sell some. I will be featuring my bags in a store in Des Moines, IA called Ephemera Designs at 505 E. Locust, Street, which is located about 2 blocks from the state capitol in a renovated area of town. I will also be looking into some local craft fairs. (http://www.ephemeradesign.com/)

I have also begun spotting fabric in unusual locations to create bags that are more creative and less likely to be re-created: I shop mostly in thrift stores and purchase items to recycle fabric. I do find fabric remnants in those stores, but also use men's shirts or women's skirts, belts, and men's ties to fun bags.

And, while this post may sound like a metaphor for human relationships, it certainly can be. While I have a wonderful husband and family, and amazing friends, sometimes I have had friends who I have had to end relationships because they were not healthy for me. I have started friendships with friends who seem more exciting than my old friends, only to find out they were not a good fit for me. I have been a little envious that some people seem to have the coolest friends, but those people don't seem to think I am cool enough to hang around with. And, I have found, after many years, some women who are truly the epitomy of the word best friends. I would not trade my best friends for anybody! They are perfect, caring, perceptive, and thoughtful. Yet, they are not too mushy, too "organic", or too doting. They are a perfect fit for what I need in friends. And, I feel so fortunate!

It is OK to end relationships, put some in storage (and interact less frequently), and start new ones with others that fit you. If somebody causes you agony, you don't have to stay with them. If somebody makes you cringe each time you see her behavior, you don't have to hang around with them. We all just need to continue to remain open to the possibility of having people in our lives, and not close ourselves off of developing new friendships. It is important to realize when it is "user error", when it is the other person's personality/behavior that doesn't jive with your values, or when it is something that can be work through with some "repairs" or communication. Sometimes, it just takes a new start, ending something that pains you to begin weaving the pieces of relationships together to create something beautiful!