Sewing projects

I am certainly not a learned sewer! Beyond sewing on buttons, I have never had a formal class or lesson. I have never read a book, pamphlet or a how-to. I've never used a pattern, guide or straight edge. I've never owned a sewing machine, thimble or a bobbin.

I've made do with sewing on buttons and patches by hand along with torn seams when needed.

I do have creativity in droves, though. Make that a lot of gumption and determination as well! As "un"smart as some people may think diving into a project without possessing all of the needed skills may be, I tend to enjoy the excitement and satisfaction that comes from doing them on my own. I enjoy the anticipation and challenge of figuring things out, making things work, designing and learning new things along the way.


I have been working on some gifts for a couple of my precious friends. Cloth napkins. Simple squares and rectangles, with 3 beads to dress one corner of each. I enjoyed cutting these napkins out of old clothing from the thrift store. I will be satisfied if they last through one meal. Just one. I will. They will. The napkins may not be perfect... but I'm so over perfection anyway. I do my best, and call it good enough.

My dear mother-in-law has lent me her sewing machine for this little endeavor. I am enjoying having it available for other mending projects as well! I may just have to go out and by me one of these handy dandy machines someday.

Ahh, all finished.

No book, guide or pattern needed here... well, after I read the manual to see how to turn the sewing machine on that is...

I just did it

Just because.

I wanted to try something new.

On my own.

Experiment.

Am I alone in my impromptu endeavors?

Having a moment of inspiration and running with it, pronto...

That's what I do best.

I took pillows from our old couch,

along with fabric I've had for years,

and sewed some pillow covers, without a pattern, without so much as one sewing lesson... ever or even a sewing machine... (okay, I borrowed one)

I've done this before. Sewn. On my own. Not exactly knowing what I was doing. But doing it nonetheless to the best of my ability.

Haven't you done that? Seen fabric you crave, found an amazing piece of furniture you love, pass by the perfect eye-candy painting, and buy it in hopes of thinking up some use for it...

Haven't you jumped into something new with excitement and determination... er, blindly?

Being self taught must take a whole lot of gumption, faith, ability, dedication and ingenuity... and dare I say, pride.

I have my share of them all.

Maybe a pillow with some nice grey/blue sheen about it would complete the look?

Splendidly sewn or slightly crooked, well thought out and planned or spur of the moment,

whether perfect or flawed, I just did it.

And I dare say, that's the most exciting way to learn.