Sewing Through September Days 8 and 9

 Hello.

My name is Laura.

I am a squirrel.

I have been saving my nuts (money gifts)

for years. 

I saved each Christmas gift from my dad until I knew what I wanted to use it for. 

Apparently, I have done this for a few years now. 

I thought I had a couple of hundred dollars. 

I counted tonight.

I have enough to buy a sewing machine!

God knew I'd need this money now.

I simply forgot it was stashed away.

I called my dad and told him as soon as I found it.

Thank you, Dad! Most of it was from you. 

Thank you past Laura for saving for current Laura so that future Laura can enjoy sewing for many more years!

No sewing yesterday or today. I've spent some time researching. 

I've also been thinking about the old 1913 singer sitting on the other side of the room. It's a treadle machine. It was my husband's grandmother's machine. She sewed feed sack dresses for his mom on it back in the 1940's. We had it reconditioned a few years ago. I tried treadling and found it very hard. I think it would help if I had someone to show me. 

Now I'm thinking about whether that's a skill that I want to try to build. 

I'm going to think on that a bit more. 

I'm not giving up on Sewing Through September. I just need to decide on my next step.

Thank you to all of you wonderful ladies who shared bits of advice with me. Sending every one of you a hug!

Laura

Who is thankful for being a squirrel

No photos tonight, because my old computer didn't cooperate.

I don't even want to think about that!

Sewing Through September Day 5, 6, and 7

 

First project completed!
Candy Corn Bag Project Bag

Today, September 7, is my momma's birthday. She's been in Heaven for 27 years now. I still miss her very much. She taught me to sew when I was quite young. I learned by helping her. She used to make clothes for me and for herself. She also sewed many things for the home. She didn't even need a pattern for lots of things. I didn't inherit that from her. I did inherit a deep enjoyment of sewing. So much so, that I used the money I received for high school graduation to buy a Kenmore sewing machine that I used for many years. I couldn't imagine moving out of my mom's house and not having a sewing machine!

That old machine finally gave out after many years. I've replaced it twice since then. My current machine, a Singer One, has served me since 2012. I actually thought it was newer than that. I looked back and found the blog post sharing the purchase. 

While sewing the candy corn bag this weekend, I spent most of the "sewing" time fighting with the machine. I took it to the repairman last winter due to issues with the tension. It wasn't much better when I got it back. I haven't sewn since I started working full-time at the clinic back in February. Now I remember why. It's just so frustrating!

What? The one activity that has always felt like I was born to do it—frustrating? How can that be? I'll tell you.

Sewing is frustrating when your machine skips stitches, has poor tension that cannot be fixed no matter what videos, the manual and even Chat GPT tell me. The computer part seems to be messed up, too. The last time I tried to use it, the zigzag wouldn't work. Now, I have to put the needle all the way to the right to be near the center. 

So, here I am at the beginning of Sewing Through September with a malfunctioning machine. I'm just not sure what I'm going to do.

I know that I need to replace it. I need something that is going to last. I need something that I'm not going to need to replace. What that is going to be or what it's going to cost, I don't know. I want something with metal parts that can stitch straight and do zigzag. I don't need anything fancy just functional.

I finished the first project, my candy corn bag today. I'm not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow since the machine is on the blink. 

Any suggestions for a good machine that's going to last me many years?

Any suggestions for a sewing project that doesn't need a machine?

Help wanted. 

~smile~

Be blessed, 

Laura 

Still determined to sew through September!

Related posts:

Sewing Challenge Month at Harvest Lane Cottage

Thrifty Things Lately at Harvest Lane Cottage #151

Sewing Through September Day 4

The chaos I call sewing.

Here I am. Day four. Once again, it was hard to come and get started. I knew that I needed this challenge. I also needed the accountability that you ladies so sweetly give me. Tonight, I started tired and with a headache. But. I. Shall.

I read the pattern again and noticed that I needed two more pieces of fusible woven interfacing. I cut those first. Then, I began fusing the interfacing. Well, I would have if I had not just plugged in the iron but turned it on! Did I mention that I don't think well with a headache?

The pretty cutting picture

Keeping it real in the cottage. This is thrifty. Someday, maybe God will provide a new one. For now, this still works. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!

I've been making little tiny bits of progress this week. I'm using my minutes. I get a three day weekend for Labor Day. Thank you, Jesus!  I plan to finish this bag by Monday evening. I cannot wait to show you (and me) the finished bag! I may need to check my yarn stash for something fallish!

Tonight, I finished cutting the fusible interfacings and applied them. I used fusible fleece for the outer fabric and woven fusible interfacing for the lining. 

I'm a barefoot sewist. I like to feel the pedal to have better control of my stitching. 

I now have the casing for the cord basted on the top. It's way past my bedtime. I'm done for now. I'll be back with my Saturday progress.

I'm getting excited.

Enjoy your weekend!

God bless us one and all in Jesus' name!

Laura

Sewing Through September

Sewing Through September Day 3

 

I had helpers tonight. Here's Paco. He likes to sit in his basket on my desk. He's my son's dog, but he comes to visit often. He is like velcro with his grammy. 

Tonight Penny kept watch from the floor. Maybe she thought I had food? She often sits in my old office chair that I keep just for her. 

Oh my, if not for y'all, I would not have made progress with my project bag tonight. I woke up really early—about 4:15 this morning. I had to get up by 5:00, so I went ahead and climbed out of bed. It's 8:41 now. I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open. 

Tonight, I knew I didn't have much energy. I cut the fusible fleece and the contrast piece for the outside of the bag. Then, I went through my supplies for a drawstring. I didn't have to search far.

This is what I'm using for the drawstring. I was going to cut it tonight, but I couldn't decide if I wanted to use black or white. I'll wait until the rest of the bag is finished. It's a set of replacement drawstrings for hoodies or pants. It was $6.99 on Amazon, and I've already used it for some projects. It works great. It has a bit of stretch. It came with a marvelous threader. I'll show it in one of my future posts. Best of all, I had it on hand. Everything has been from my stash of sewing supplies. 

I didn't do much tonight, but I did something. I'm going to count that as a win.

A couple of final thoughts...

And as you can see, I didn't give up chocolate today!

Day three down. I'm getting ready for bed!

Blessings,

Laura

Sewing Through September

*Amazon affiliate links included

Sewing Through September Day 2

 

I've made a start! First of all, I've chosen the pattern that I'm going to use. It's called The Fundamental Drawstring Bag from Cocotte & Co  Creations. It is a pattern that I purchased on Etsy. I made it once before in a smaller size. This time, I'm going to make the large size. 

I won't be sharing the details of the measurements and such since it is a pattern for purchase. It's well worth the money, because it also has a complete video showing how to make it. 

The candy corn will be the outer fabric. I love candy corn! The pumpkin color will be the lining. The white on white will be the contrast color that holds the drawstring. 

I'm rather proud of myself. I chose to start work shortly after supper, and I followed through. The thrill of creation was increased, because I utilized two Christmas gifts that weren't out of their packaging yet. First, I used Christmas money from my dad to purchase an Oliso wool pressing pad. Thanks Dad! Second, I used my new Oliso mini project iron that my son gave me. Thanks son! Swoon! I love them both. The quality is amazing and made pressing a cinch with a little spray of Mary Ellen's Best Press. 

I'm looking forward to my next mini sewing session tomorrow evening!

Would you like to sew through September with me?

Leave me a comment! If I have enough interest, perhaps I will figure out how to link the projects.

Be blessed, 

Laura

Sewing Through September

Amazon affiliate links included

I LOVE YOU MONTH... LEARNING

I love learning!

    I love learning new things. Over the years, I've learned to quilt, bake bread, can, sew, crochet, knit, cross-stitch, embroider, and many other things. 

    Currently, I'm learning Spanish with Duolingo, Western Heritage from the Book of Genesis to John Locke with a free online course from Hillsdale College, rug twining using YouTube videos, and I'm using The Bible Recap on the Bible.com app, too.

    Monday, the 16th, I'm adding something new. I've resigned from the school district. I enjoyed four years of substitute teaching; but, God's moving me into a new phase and a new position. I've accepted a position in a pediatrics office just three minutes from my home. It will be a learning experience in a couple of ways. 

    First, I've got to learn the computer system and the job. At 60, that will be a challenge. ~smile~ I'm a reader and a learner, so I'll be able to do it. Second, it's been 35 years since I've worked full-time outside the home. That, too, will be a challenge. ~God's plan—not mine!~ His plans are always good, though, aren't they? I'll tell y'all about it sometime. 

    A third challenge will be that I've been having bad headaches three or four days a week for a long time. The doctors haven't been able to help yet. 

    

    Will you please pray for me?

• That I'll comprehend and grasp all the details of the position
• That I'll have the energy and ability to fulfill my duties at work and home
• That headaches will not interfere with my ability to focus and be pleasant

    Please be patient with me as I learn to balance all the areas of my life including this blog. I do not want to let any part of my creativity go. I'm not sure how I'll do it all, but I choose the abundant life. That means husband, family, friends, work, creative outlets like writing and learning, hospitality, and most importantly, growing closer and closer to God. 

    

    This is a new assignment. This is a new era of my life. This is the way that I shall serve Jesus until he moves me into a new era. 

    Don't give up on me if I don't write as much for awhile. Y'all are an important part of my life; and, many of you have been for a long while. 

    Have a wonderful week! 

Laura

Happily serving God in a new way

My new badge photo

*Image by ChatGPT

Laura Lately ~ September Making

I tried a new roll recipe today. It made a lot.

My Lowell took some to the neighbors for me.

This is a garland I received recently for review. 

I am a Vine reviewer for Amazon. 

This is my first fall decoration. 

I didn't make it, but it did make my dining room look more like autumn.

This is the first sock for the Monster Knit Along.

That little bag will be in my Etsy shop when I open it. 

This will be a key fob when I'm done. 

No, that's not for a mummy!

I'm going to use it for rug making.

I started BSF, Bible Study Fellowship, on the 8th. 

It's my first time to study with this group of believers. 

Click the link to find a group near you.

I hope to make new friends and grow closer to Father God.

That is about it for now. 

God bless you!

Laura

 

School's Out! Sewing's In!

 

Hurrah! 

School is out!

Sewing is in!

Oh yes, I have a long to do list to get done around the house, but this is the summer of sewing! I picked up Miss Singer at the doctor's office (repair shop). She's tuned up and ready to hum her way through summer with me. I have a goal to do some kind of sewing, including mending, cutting, pinning, etc. every day this summer. The plan is to reopen my etsy shop at the end of summer. 

This week is a prep week since I'm starting on Tuesday. I'm planning to give the sewing room a good cleaning, and then organize my supplies and projects. It will be a bit of a job. I use the enclosed back porch for my sewing and office area. It gets messy over the winter with things tracked in. Regardless of how much I get done, sewing will start Monday. 

I've had several project ideas. One thing I will definitely sew is project bags for knitting, crochet, and needlework. I'm going to try some different styles and see what resonates. 

Do you have any sewing suggestions or tips for me?

Do you sew or have an etsy shop?

I'm looking for ideas and advice. My shop has been closed since before I found I had cancer. I sewed lots of masks during the plague and gave them away. I burned myself out. So, this is really a new start. That's appropriate. Sixty is a whole new decade. I've got lots of things I want to try.

Thank you for taking this trip through life with me. Many of you have been with me since my homeschooling days, and since my cancer days. I'm seven years out from my cancer diagnosis. It's hard to believe that much time has passed. I remember not knowing if I'd see another fall, another Christmas. God has been good to me. I am very thankful to keep living this life. 

Be blessed,

Laura

Please write to me. I'd really like to know what your thoughts are about all of this. If there's something you'd like to see me sew, let me know!

Lots of Stitches!

On and off my needles...

 

 Just some of the photos I found on my computer and my phone.

Next week I'll share what I'm working on this week. 

Happy Stitching!

Laura