Month: February 2018

My week in sewing

/ RachelMorrisMcGeethemyastheniakid / 2 Comments

I am sorry that it seems like it has been months since I have written a proper blog post. At the moment I just have lost my ability to put pen to paper, there is nothing currently firing me up, making me want to speak passionately about it. Other than sewing, nothing (other than hubby and my dogs, friends) brings me a great deal of joy. It’s understandable you don’t experience that amount of bereavements in such a short amount of time and escape unscathed. So I am trying not to be too hard on myself and just produce what I can, so that you my loyal readers, some of you who have been around for the last ten years don’t lose faith.

 

At the moment I have been sewing like a woman possessed. It is the only thing that I can lose myself in 100% is sewing. I usually start with the radio on but at some point just zone out and no longer hear it.  I live for sewing at the moment it is all consuming. Even my Emma Bridgewater collecting has started to take a back seat as I am so focused on sewing.

 

I have made quite a few bits over the last week, unfortunately some of them are gifts for people who may read my blog so I can’t post the photos. I will post what I can though!

 

Last week I forgot to post this photo of my spring wreath that I made.

 

I also started my first ever quilt. I am using a kit which is called quilt as you go. So each block is built up individually. Once all the blocks have been made you sash them together and then bind the edges.

 

 

 

 

 

Hot water bottle cover, which is a gift for someone I know doesn’t read my blog or do much online!

 

Quilted mat for sewing machine to sit on

It’s been quite a busy week sewing wise. Today I am having a non sewing day as my hands have swollen up making it quite painful to bend my fingers. A day of rest will hopefully sort it all out.

MOJO MIA

/ RachelMorrisMcGeethemyastheniakid / 5 Comments

My writing mojo is currently MIA, on friday I found out that a lad I went to school with and kept in contact with on social media passed away aged just 44. Leaving behind his wife and daughter whom he adored.

 

This just broke me, Friday into Saturday I barely slept. I spoke to a good friend overnight via social media and was sobbing for most of the night. I also had irrationally decided that my sewing machine was a piece of crap and that I would have to buy a new one, sending the old one back. It’s funny how grief, insomnia and emotional exhaustion will leave you exhausted and utterly irrational.

 

There is nothing wrong with my sewing machine, I have had some issues with it as I had been using the wrong size bobbins. On Friday my new bobbins arrived and the machine was running better. I told myself on Saturday morning if it didn’t run ok when I gave it a quick go, then I would be contacting the company that sold it to me and asking for a refund. Of course ever since the new bobbins have been here its been running beautifully.

 

However at around 7.30am I had a complete meltdown. Jay got really worried that I was heading for a bout of depression. Thankfully despite everything that life has thrown at me since losing Willow in December, I was just expressing my grief. My friend passing away, who I had known since I was 11 and was a month older than me, was just a massive shock. I had a bloody good cry and then pulled myself together as at 8.30am a decorator was coming to paint our stairwell. I didn’t think he’d want me blubbing every five minutes.

 

As the lounge was going to be stinking of paint I decided to take the plunge and make myself my first piece of clothing from some jersey material I had bought in the Christmas sales. I had to make the pattern by working out how my favourite top was constructed. It took me all of Saturday to make the pattern, cut the fabric and then sew the body and two arms. On Sunday I hemmed the body and inserted the arms. Finally I did the neck, I am so pleased with it, purely because I made it. Yes there are mistakes in it and it will probably never be worn outside the house but I made it. It is my design loosely based on another top.

 

 

 

Today I have made a little travel sewing kit tidy. It’s been a nightmare and harder than making the top as the instructions were diabolical. Its taken me most of the day, leaving me with my back in spasm but I got to use four  different feet on my sewing machine.

 

The day this blog post is published I will be attending the funeral of my friend Pam. I think half the reason I have kept myself so busy this week is because I am dreading this day. Saying goodbye to her will break my heart. Sleep tight Pam x