Knitting by Zen

My mum gave me a sewing machine. It was a rescued one from her school (she is a home ec teacher among other things) as they were upgrading, and it was serviced and cleaned before being gifted to me. It’s a lovely Janome about 10 years old.

It came without instructions and seriously, the last time I sat down to a sewing machine was in year 8, which was in 1991 or so. Wow - that’s 15 years ago. *feels time* and so I had to get a refresher on how to thread a sewing machine. One quick reminder and I was easily on my way though! Funny how these things sink into the psyche / bones, especially in an impressionable child, and can come flooding back!

So anyway, I have been itching to make things for myself hence I asked mum for a sewing machine at some point in the next year or so. I’m on a clothing diet at the moment - this year, I’ve bought no new clothes except for a few things that I needed to buy in Sydney as I don’t go there very often, and… nope that’s it. I’ve halved my t-shirt stash by putting 1/2 of them away for next year, and I am knitting quickly through my half-done patterns because I need to knit jumpers for Winter.

Not that there is anything out there that I would buy. Bras and undies and socks perhaps, though I will get into undie making as I have lovely hips and buying undies is le painful. But on perusing Target the other day, I was also annoyed and frustrated at the colours available, the lack of natural fibres used, the clothes available and also the idea of having the same thing as everyone else.

Things I want for my wardrobe:

• swishy skirts of various lengths
• a pinafore
• long sleeved stretchy cotton tops which are long enough to cover my kidneys!!
• pj pants
• a cloak
• pullovers
• pants
• dresses

so I need to get my skills back up again.

Actually, I think I just need to not read anything that implies I, as a beginner sewer, am an idiot and am therefore incapable of sewing. I know that when I’m teaching people to knit, I sugges they immediately make a lovely scarf instead of a butt ugly one - use 7mm or 8mm needles, yum-delicious yarn and garter stich and cast on 20 stitches, then knit each row until you get to the end. None of this "knit a square" crap that just bored and frustrates people! And most of all, large needles are easier to use and also hide any mistakes in increasing and decreasing stitches.

Anyway, I decided to sew a Caroline Bag though I didn’t have anything around the house that I could repurpose so I went and bought some fabric today.

I made a small version first as the boy cutting the fabric had no idea what he was doing and went way over what I asked and paid for.

It’s very cute and holds my mobile and keys. Can’t wait to make another one! I also want to make drawstring ones for my multitude of knitting projects.