It's been a very creatively-satisfying week at chez clutterpunk, and yet really all I have to show for it is this:
Due to my current solo-parenting situation (and the small matter of an editing deadline next Monday), I decided to put aside aside both the machine and hand quilting, and do some mending. And while mending, I've been staring at this bit of linen, which belongs to a blank tea towel... one of 15 I've picked up from Sooz, washed, and i-r-o-n-e-d (man I find that stuff hard to iron!) in the last few days. And now I'm awaiting a flash of inspiration so that I can get going on my tea towel swap contribution. I'd love to say that the possibilities are endless, but actually, they are quite finite from where I stand. Hmmm. The mulling continues...
But dang, has the mending been satisfying! I've taken up a pair of woolen suit trousers for a male friend, fixed a bunch of rips and broken straps for my sister, and managed to make my favourite (and sadly torn) night dress less avert your eyes! and more appropriate for emergency midnight door answering (although I'm sure the Beloved will be a bit disappointed when he returns... )
Sorry to bang on about the mending, but I'm still getting over the fact that I have a USEFUL SKILL. And one that I like exercising. And one that friends and family actually seek me out to exercise! I'm not someone who grew up darning socks with my grandma or making dolly clothes with my mother. We just weren't that kind of family. It's ALL new to me, and as much as I love the creative and artistic aspects of sewing, I am as thrilled at the functionality of it all. The recent hand quilting workshop I took part in reminded me of the pleasure that can come from stitching slowly and enjoying the process, so I think that's refreshed my enthusiasm for mundane sewing.
Meanwhile, back in reality, it's time to start the nightly bath-dinner-bed-bed-back-to-bed-STAY_IN_BED-proofreading routine! And I hope after that there is still time to visit today's creative spaces. It's always a highlight.
It's great that sewing is a great creative outlet but also very practical and, I guess, thrifty.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the nightly routine!
See being a wife takes up time, when your husband is away, you get lots of crafty time in the evenings!! Love Posie
ReplyDeleteI confess I don't enjoy the mending but I find the money saving enormously satisfying.
ReplyDeleteNot very keen on the mending side of sewing. I once had eight pairs of trousers/slacks to mend for a friend and it literally took me that long to complete all 8 of them and yet the actual doing wouldn't even have taken an hour. I read somewhere that to mend your clothes is much quicker than making new ones and often just as exciting. Cherrie
ReplyDeletePs Using some of your machine sketching in my creative space this week. Ta!
PSS Aint got any shoes on!!
a fantastic skill! it's lovely that you can share it around too ~ you must have many appreciative family and friends
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree! I secretly love a little mending (though my friends and family don't yet know... hahaha! I already have enough on my plate) I've yet to try darning things with holes in them (my poor woven bag, for instance). But I tweak clothes, restitch opening seams, and falling-off pockets. I love making things for the sake of it, but it's even MORE satisfying to take something out of the "to fix or ditch" pile and breathe new life into it. Maybe that's why I've been making so many Morsbags to the detriment of other activities... take old sheets, fabric from the op-shop, etc... and turn into a functional bag! Then liberate it! Wheee!
ReplyDeleteyour quilting course looks great. it's a good thing that you can enjoy mending {i fall v short!}.
ReplyDeleteaaaghhh the stay-in-bed routine is making me tired + frustrated too, especially due to the heat. hope you get some time off soon :)
I did some mending recently, i'm amazed that with a few stitches, something goes from unwearable to wearable! And now i'm getting money for alterations and medning- I likee a lot!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the mending, even though it is rather anxiety filled for me about whether I've done a good enough job for friends/family ;)
ReplyDeleteI haven't got my tea towels yet for the swap... hoping they'll arrive soon. It's really exciting, isn't it?
Great space. Thanks Gina. Kx
Know all about the mulling over the tea towels...with you all the way.
ReplyDeleteThank goodliness. I thought my linen ironing ish-ews were only mine. Um, have I ever told you, I love that humour thing you have going there and that pic made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that dead lion.
I am sure inspiration will come once you have some time to yourself! Can't wait to see.
ReplyDeleteThere is something special about that slow hand sewing that really is theraputic
Its very rewarding when something you enjoy is also a useful and desireable skill! Keep staring and dreaming, some of the best ideas come after much mulling.
ReplyDeleteoh gina, where to start. i admire anyone who likes mending. my stash of mending runs a very close second place only to my stash of fabric which after a day of organising my sewing room i have to say is OUT OF CONTROL. i have great intentions but i cannot stand it. so hats off to you on the mending front and the solo parenting front. tough gig. be kind to yourself
ReplyDeleteThe mending pile over here is pretty stultifying...think I'll follow your good example, Gina, and settle in with it tonight!
ReplyDeletei enjoy mending too, except when my partner's sister says 'oh can you fix my pants, they are too long' and she comes back with her whole closet!
ReplyDeleteOK, so many parts to comment on.
ReplyDelete"the fact that I have a USEFUL SKILL"... imagine my cross brow and growl. Enough not said!
Looking forward to seeing the post-mulled tea towels.
About that night dress... still giggling at the image I have of things popping out. Woops.
Good luck with deadline. And the stay-in-bed-you-kids bit too.
good luck with the night time routine! I've been home alone with my rugrat this week and man it's tough!
ReplyDeleteGoodness I hear you on all fronts sister! I am also participating in the swap and am really fretting over it. I feel like I got into some deep water and am slowly getting carried out to sea! Good luck with the inspiration and if you find any, send some my way!! xo m.
ReplyDeleteMending is good...speaking of which, I've put aside my own for quite some time...
ReplyDeleteHi there, I saw your post about the linen t-towel and thought I would pass on a tip. Ironing linen - do this when article is still wet from the machine; if you wait until it is even partly dry, it is haaaard! Also, to get a lovely finish, iron it on the back first, then the front will be all shiny.
ReplyDeleteHi Gina. I miss reading your blog (I miss reading anything at the moment!). I have a hint for you - put your linen in the freezer for an hour or so before you iron it. Don't ask. It just works. Probably the moisture. ;)
ReplyDelete