I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t know how to sew.  I remember sewing with my mom all the time, on a machine kind of like this one.

 She would make our school clothes, Raggedy Ann dolls, and a few lovely quilted jumpers for Thanksgiving.  I always remember being a helper.  My step dad had built my mom a terrific sewing table, with a pop up extension leaf.  I remember pulling up an extra chair, along side my mom and the sewing table. The first project I made, completely on my own, was an apron for my mom. 

As I grew up, I remember sewing out of necessity, but not because I enjoyed it.  I knew how to work the sewing machine and had no problem pegging the legs of my jeans. (If you grew up in the 80’s, you know the look I’m talking about.) Freinds would bring their jeans over and we’d turn their jeans into skinny jeans too. Those shrink-to-fit 501’s, with skinny legs were so cool.  In junior high and high school, I made a few bags.  I didn’t love the way the turned out, and I never used them.  I wouldn’t say sewing was my hobby.

In college, I started sewing as a hobby.  I needed something to do, other than study.  I went to a small Christian university.  While some of you were out partying in college, I was sewing.  We didn’t do parties at Seattle Pacific University.  I made quilts, table runners, wall hangings, pillows, and curtains. 

When I got married, I really started sewing.  Again, it was more out of necessity.  I knew what I wanted my house to look like, but I couldn’t afford it.  I wanted a custom look, without the custom pricetag.   I called my mom and my sister a lot.  I remember being so scared to cut into a beautiful piece of fabric!  What if I messed up or measured wrong?  Fabric isn’t cheap! 

These days, I have no fear of the sewing machine.  I love trying new things and I’m enjoying learning new techniques.  A few months ago I started putting zippers into my pillow covers.  I had never worked with zippers before, but it was really easy. 

I bought a ruffler foot for my sewing machine, which has come in handy with lots of fun sewing projects.

I’ve even upgraded to a machine with embroidery options.  The embroidered Kitchen towels are always a favorite gift to give.

This week, I decided to try something new.  I tackled mitred corners.  I know. You’re thinking…. boooorrrring.   (Ok, maybe you’re thinking what a total geek I am!) For many people, this sounds like some sort of torture.  But, really, I love learning new things. (Again, total geek.)  I had leftover fabric from a few family room projects, so I decided to turn the fabric into placemats and napkins. 

Just for fun, I added some decorative stitching, in a contrasting color, to the edges.

See how pretty the corners look!  The picture above, shows the top of the napkin.  Below, you can see the mitred corners.  It kind of scares me that perfectly mitred corners can make me this happy.

Happy sewing!