Learning to Sew!

I learned to sew at Grandma Pate's kitchen table when I was 18 years old.  I was in the marching band and concert choir in high school so I didn't get to take home economics.  I never had the desire to learn how to sew either until I got Corporate America and had to start dressing in something other than blue jeans, t-shirts, flannel shirts and boots.

My grandmother's sewing machine was an old Singer that was originally a treadle machine that she had converted to electric.  It didn't have any attachments or fancy stitching...just your basic straight stitch.  My first sewing attempt was a one piece Capri length, strapless jumper, with elastic around the top and the waist with very slim legs...At the time, it was very fashionable and I thought I looked great...I see pictures now, and I think, "OMGosh, I can't believe I went out in public wearing that".

Grandma was so patient to teach me.  She kept encouraging me even though I made mistakes, she would just hand me the seam ripper and say, "we can fix it".

At one time, I didn't own a set of nursing scrubs that weren't handmade by me.  Now I get lazy and either by them or get them handed down to me by my friend, Lisa.  When she gets new scrubs or gets tired of a set, she passes them on to me and that's okay by me as I don't mind hand-me-downs at all. It leaves me more time and money to bead instead of shopping or sewing to make more.

I went through a phase several years ago when both of my knees were in really bad shape.  I messed up my knees when I went through basic training for the United States Army at the age of 35. (That's a blog for another time).  I was forced to walk with 2 canes and it was painful at that, so I decided to quilt the days away since I was unable to work.  During a 7 month period, I made 18 quilt tops...some of them were samplers for the local quilt shop, some were made for the grandchildren and Sadly there are still a couple of them that I have yet to quilt.  (One day I will get back to them).

My sewing has dwindled to smaller scale projects now, Jewelry.  It is relaxing for me.  I am not a TV person.  I can't stay awake to watch TV, so I 'listen' while I bead.  Hubby teases me that he thinks my butt and my eyelids are attached.  He said that when my butt goes down in a chair, my eyelids do too, and that pretty much is the truth, I gotta be working on something with my hands or I just can't stay awake.

I started out taking classes and letting the teacher choose the colors for my projects, then I started stepping out and picking out my own beads and colors.  Sometimes, I don't always like the colors that I choose once I get them stitched together, but that is the great thing about bead weaving and stitching-the only waste you have if you don't like it, is your time and your thread.  Unlike fabric, if you don't like the finished product, it can be difficult to re purpose.

Over the last couple of years, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and started teaching beading, designing and writing my own patterns. I have participated in several Blog Hops and have met so many AWESOME and TALENTED designers and teachers.  I am excited about what the future has in store for me in beading and design.

Stay tuned as this Saturday July 19, 2014 I will reveal my designs for the Gemstone and Metal Blog Hop   hosted by Lisa Lodge of Pineridge Treasures.  Here is a sneak peek at the bead soup that was sent to me to work with.

Until We Bead Again, 

Lisa