My relationship with sewing machines

 Some of you know about my horrible relationship with sewing machines.  For those of you unaware,  it started when I was a child.  My amazingly talented seamstress Grandma tried patiently to teach me to sew on many occasions.  I just couldn't get the hang of it.  I have dabbled in sewing projects several times over the years, but they've all ended with a poorly finished project, a broken sewing machine, and a totally dejected Me.

I am a creative person.  I am crafty.  So why all the trouble with sewing???

The answer:  Sewing machines hate me.

I am not joking.  Take a perfectly functioning sewing machine, give it to me, and the second I press the foot peddle, the bobbin falls out.  Or the needle breaks.  Or I sew for a yard before I realize the bobbin ran out 28 1/2 inches earlier. 

I have been plagued by these kinds of events again and again.  Last fall I thought, "Hey, I should make my cousin (who I actually like) a baby carrying wrap for her baby shower gift!"  Why?  Why would I think this was a good idea?  Well, it only had 6 straight seams.  Easy enough.  Wrong.  I had to have my husband finish it for me before I threw the machine out the window.  (And yes, my husband sewed for me...he's awesome like that.  Be jealous.)

Then came Christmas and I somehow thought it would be a good idea to make the kids pajama pants.  I got them done.  I was actually kinda proud of them.  They haven't been worn.

Well, around this same time my Nana offered me her sewing machine.  And while I knew sewing machines hated me, I accepted the gift.  I've always wanted a sewing machine and I love heirlooms handed down.  Lige, the sweet thing, arranged to have it oiled and tuned up.  He even dropped it off and picked it up for me.  So I had to use it on something. 
 

 I've done a few minor things like shorten the straps on the girls' tank tops and tighten some dance pants.  I made Isaac a pillow case.  Amana has been using the machine for 4H projects and practice.  I took a T-shirt and turned it into a tank top for each of the big girls.  (Thank you Pinterest!)  None of these needed to be perfect.  If they flopped, it was fine because I was just goofing around anyway.  Little did I know I was also gaining the confidence to try something a little harder...

I love Pinterest and I love my clothesline. So when my clothespin bag wore thin and ragged, I looked up pins on how to make one.  By sewing.  Do I dare?  Yes!

 Here's my adorable, finished, clothespin bag!

I am really proud of myself.  It sounds a little corny saying that about a silly little sewing project, but I don't care.  I worked hard on this project, I stayed focused, and I stayed with it until it was finished.  It feels good to finish something like this without running into any sewing machine problems.  No empty bobbin this time! 

~Mom, Grandma, Nana~ aren't you guys proud of me?! :)