Laughing at the Days to Come: Sewing Pep Talk

I went to the sewing shop the other day. I had dutifully attempted to clean my sewing machine of lint, and oil it like I should. I followed the instructions I got with it. But it sure didn't work when I put it back together!

So after seeking advice from a friend I contacted the Fashionette Sewing Center. Sound like a blast from the past? Well, it is. Ralph, the man who runs the shop is turning 85 next week. He started fixing machines when he was 21. So he has a few years of experience. He offered to clean and oil the machine while I watched so I could do it myself next time, and he gave me a little sewing lesson on the ins and outs of my Sears Kenmore 1320. He spent two hours teaching me and I think it was the best $50 I've spent in awhile. You just don't find that kind of service anymore! Highly recommended. If you go, make sure you have some TIME.

I got a great sewing book from my sister for Christmas. It has a lot of projects that kind of build on each other. Now that my machine is running again, I did one of the mini projects in the book. You are supposed to draw out a picture and then "free" stitch over it. Meaning, you are supposed to put the feed dogs down and really take control of the machine.

Well, I couldn't get that to work, so I just kept the feed dogs right where they were and stitched on my design, which I nabbed from The Graphics Fairy.

Bad picture, blah, blah, blah, but it was kinda fun. I used a fancy disappearing ink pen from Joann's. Here's the book:

I'm excited to get sewing now that my machine is working lickity split.

I have adopted this as my sewing mantra (from the book): "You're the boss! (Not Tony Danza--YOU) Don't let that machine sass you, or make you feel like you can't do this. You can. That's just a machine and you're in charge! Be the boss!" Each time I sew I'm going to find a mirror and yell this at my reflection Jack Donaghy style. I think it's going to work.

Some Ava pics for you. Overalls courtesy of Aunt Jen: