My intention for our summer was to keep extra activities to a minimum since I knew how full our calendar was going to be and I had so much catching up I wanted to do as well. But then a friend of mine (also the mom of one of B’s closest friends) told me she was offering a sewing class. My first thought was how much B would love the opportunity to see his friend so regularly throughout the summer. And then I thought about the fact that sewing is a skill I’ve very much wanted to have. My brain tried to argue with me- telling me we were too busy, telling me I should spend the money elsewhere, and on and on… but I kept having that gentle, yet strong and steady urging to go for it.

When I mentioned it to Jeff, he encouraged me to do it. He is the person in my life who has constantly supported me in listening to my intuition. So I said yes, and pulled out my dusty sewing machine. I’ve sewn on and off over the years, but quite a few projects became a mess of tangled thread and oftentimes I would end up frustrated with my sewing machine. That made me either want to ditch my project altogether, or barrel through it not enjoying the process and most likely not feeling too pleased with the finished product either. (It also made me want to switch to the simplicity of my two knitting needles and yarn, and the joy of working with my hands rather than fumbling around with a machine.)

I took a sewing class in high school and loved it, but I had forgotten some of the basics and my skills got pretty rusty since then. The classes I took over the summer were so helpful. My friend familiarized me with my sewing machine so it started feeling more like an ally (rather than the dreaded hunk of machinery that never cooperated.) She walked me through projects and explained things step by step, which was exactly what I needed.

With every class, I was so excited and proud of each project I had made, no matter how small or simple, they all felt like a little victory. I sometimes noticed I would go to class with my busy mind going, going, going… over my to-do lists and all the things I needed to accomplish and then… I would get completely lost in my sewing and my stress and worries would fade into the background for a bit and my mind would quiet down. That sewing time was a gift to my spirit.

I’m looking forward to sharing some of the projects I’ve made. Today I’m starting with my first project- napkins! A friend had shared some fabric with me when she cleaned out her crafting space (thank you!), and I had saved some of the bright, colorful prints to turn into napkins. My mom helped cut out the fabric squares for them during one of her visits, but we ran out of time to do any sewing, so they had been waiting in a pile ever since. I was glad to finally be getting them made and sewing napkins was a great beginner project to get the hang of my sewing machine and get some good practice in.

I thought I would finish sewing all the napkins in a flash, but instead I’ve finished a few at a time and the stack grows bit by bit. When I had a cold awhile back and didn’t feel well to get much done that day, I spent part of the day sewing and finished up quite a few napkins then. I’m really loving how they are turning out, but one thing I didn’t do was pre-shrink my fabric and so the napkins have been shrinking- smaller than the size I intended them to be. We still love them, and now I will certainly remember to wash my fabric before I start sewing with it.

I think sewing is such a great skill to have. And an important one. Being able to mend your clothes, adjust things to fit, and make what to you need is wonderful. I love being able to make gifts for people, and that’s what most of my projects have been so far. (I have two grandmas who are incredibly talented when it comes to sewing, and I have things they’ve made me that I’ve treasured my whole life. Now I have a deeper appreciation for the time that went into making them.)

Jeff and B both have requests for things they want me to sew for them, and I’ve appreciated how enthusiastic they both have been about all my projects. When I’m at home I feel too busy with too many things to get around to much sewing, but when I make it to class I find it easier to carve out the time. I’m grateful my friend has been offering the class- to share her love of sewing with others, and I’m grateful I decided to say yes and sign up!