Reunited...

...and it feels so good! Several months ago I committed a crime. It was a crime against myself and my leisure activity. I killed my sewing machine. Dead. I was sewing, which also involves ironing. The ironing board was set up perpendicular to the sewing table. My ironing board is a light-weight, cheap K-Mart find. It does the job, but it wobbles a bit on carpeted floors. As I was preparing my fabric that day I bumped the board, it wobbled, and my nice, new, heavy iron took a dive. This was nothing new to me...it happens every time I iron, but this time was different. I watched in horror as it swan-dived toward my sewing machine. I had visions of my nifty iron ending up in pieces, not the other way around! That Black and Decker literally sheared off the entire tension mechanism on my trusty old Kenmore sewing machine! The iron and all 12 pieces of the tension dial hit the floor as I stood there horrified. There went my latest project. I had just begun some pillow shams. They would have to wait...a long time as it turns out!

I love my sewing machine. It has been my friend since it was purchased in 1986 at Sears in Provo. My sister-in-law Colleen was getting married and I needed to make a flower girl dress for my six-year-old Sarah. This was the 80's so the dress involved puffed sleeves and a ruffle at the bottom that was 15 feet long before it was gathered! Sarah looked adorable and I began a long and happy companionship with my machine. It has sewn baby items, Easter dresses, Stretch & Sew t-shirts, and at least eight formal dresses that I can remember for my girls in their high school years. My plans as of late have turned to home decor and the loss of my old friend was painful. I left it with a heavy heart (but with hope!) at a little business on Main Street. The man said he'd call me with an estimate. I waited. I am known for my talent of patience. I finally called the man who would resurrect my friend. His phone was busy, busy, busy...every time I called! I drove to the little white building, a hospital of sorts, many times. He was always out, "...will return at whatever time", the notes would all say. Patience! He never called. I forgot for a few weeks.

Last week, during Spring Break, my sweetie asked me if I would like him to take me to the shop and see if the man was in. Yes please! As we parked in front of the store I noted with glee the Yes, We're Open sign in the front window. Score! I entered the front door with a tingling of bells sounding to alert the owner of my presence. As I stood and waited for him to come out from the back of his shop I spotted my Kenmore on a shelf with many other machines all lined up and waiting for their mommies to pick them up. My heart began to pound. I had visions of pillow shams, curtains, and slipcovers dancing in my head! The man entered with apologies if I had been trying to connect with him lately. His mother had passed away recently, he had closed shop to go be with her, and had traveled to the funeral. He had just returned. He was hurting and I listened. I empathized with him, sharing my own experience in losing my father and sister in recent years. He talked on. Dee came inside the shop to see what was taking so long. He hauled my sewing machine out to the car for me while I listened some more. After weeks of not being able to contact the man I was now unable to leave him. He needed a listening ear and I think I was put there in that place and time for that reason. As I climbed int o the car a few minutes later my heart warm warm and full. I had my friend back and I had been able to offer some comfort to a virtual stranger. Life is so interesting some days!

I put the old gal to work that very afternoon and by the end of the next day my pillow shams were finished! I am currently cutting out a darling apron for myself and will show you when it is finished. So I present to you my first project and my latest, in that order.

Sarah & Brittany in 1986, Apple Butter Farms, Provo.

My new white Euro Shams, made for $8.00!!