Josephine Sews

The best way to describe my latest sewing session is menopausal.  My lack of understanding, lack of patience, and over the top aggravation/irritation can only be explained by menopause. While sewing I kept thinking it was time for me to give up sewing, that I just didn't have what it took to make anything worthwhile.  I was trying to figure out how I would get rid of all my sewing equipment and supplies.  I survived this sewing session and I am so glad it is over.  Need I say there was no joy in sewing this wallet. The pattern is pretty simple but menopause turned it into the something painful and irritating. How I Did It I saw this pattern online when I went to search for another pattern on  Indygo Junction's  website.  The pattern clearly states to read through all instructions before starting but of course I didn't have time for that.  It surely would have saved me time and frustration if I had. I normally serge all edges o...

I finally realized I was out of control with my garment fabric purchases when I was shredding personal documents.  Every 3rd receipt was a fabric store purchase.  I might have been able to justify it if I was doing a lot of sewing and making a dent in my garment fabric stash but I wasn't.  I was only sewing occasionally. I made a decision that day.  I was out of control and it would end and it did end. I must have been going through withdrawal because somewhere along the way I started buying quilting fabric.  Not the cheapo stuff, I am talking about the really good quality quilt fabric from real quilting stores. I needed something to store my "good" fabric in so I bought a really large plastic storage container to keep my fabric nice and neat. There is something absolutely intoxicating about standing in the batik section of a quilt store. Batiks speak to me.  They beckon me to come close and touch how soft the fabric is and to absorb the stimulation...

My word for me today is "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). With all that was going on last month sewing became a chore when normally it is a stress relief.  I forced myself to sew because there were items I needed to get done but there was no joy in it and because of that I did not do my best work. When I started this blanket my sewing joy was gone - I was doing it because I promised I would get one made.  By the time I finished I could feel my sewing joy level steadily rising. I knew I could not go with the traditional colors or the baby prints because they were too boring and I would never complete the quilt.  I had to choose colors that excited and inspired me to sew. The brighter and more vibrant the color the more I like it.  I don't ask parents what color they want I ask would they mind if I made their baby a blanket.  By asking this question I get to choose colors that inspire me. I absolutely love batiks and when I go to a quilt ...

My word for me today is "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16- 18 NIV)." In a few days it will be a month since my friend died.  Like me she was a sewer and crafter. After she died I helped her family get rid of her sewing machines and supplies.  Everything was either sold or given away. In going thru her fabric stash I found some ribbon of hope fabric.  I couldn't help but think she bought it for a specific person and just did not have time to make it so I decided to keep this piece of fabric and complete what she couldn't. We have a mutual friend at our church who is currently going thru cancer treatment now, so I decided she would be the recipient of a comfort quilt. How I Did It For this project I used  "Full of Cheer" from the   Quilters Think Pink  book and for the fabric I used cotton. I used her ribbon of hope fabric and combined it with f...

My word for me today.  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3 KJV). This is part 2 of yesterdays post and the cover is for a Brother SE-400.  As I shared in the previous post I made sewing machine covers for a couple of machines sold on behalf of a friend. The biggest problem I had with the first cover was that you had to remove the cover to access the carrying handle.  Another problem I had was the fit was extremely tight but it did fit.  So I made adjustments to this cover to eliminate these issues. How I Did It The fabric I used was from my stash.  It was denim fabric that I had gotten from my local sewing store in the home decor section.  The cotton fabric I used as lining was also from my stash.  I was not concerned I about matching fabric I was concerned about using my stash. This time I used quilt batting to give the cover stability.  I normally use "headliner" ...