it started so innocently. i never owned a sewing machine until i married kenny. kenny built amazing costumes for a few shows and actors in his theatre day, so it was only natural that he owned a machine. it began collecting dust when he met me since i took up all of his time. then a dear friend of mine in our previous church gave me her portable (not built-into-a-table) sewing machine when her eyesight started going. we are owners of two really cool, really old machines.
fast forward to 2004, when i start to blog and read blogs. the bloggers that i read tend to be crafters, into earth-keeping, getting-back-to-simplicity, homemakers, and foodies. i've been inspired over the years to do more of what i love: cook, mend, grow (plants and humans!), and use my hands to make things. by choice, i like needlework. then i remembered these two old machines in our basement: untouched, except for a santa costume at christmas for a "pagaent-with-a-santa" we did at church.
on monday, i brought up the portable one after finally realizing i could possibly throw together
a pair of pants from an old tshirt...like this pattern that serina posted at
her blog. except we donated all of our old tshirts when we moved.
then i remembered that old, ugly t-shirt that kenny will not get rid of. i had to beg (BEG!) my husband for his favorite old t-shirt. it's one that has sentimental value to both of us, but it's just so ugly. he was wearing it the first time i laid eyes on him:
i asked him yesterday, "did you think you were all hot and hip in that tie-dyed, striped shirt?" and he answered, "did you think i was?" i just laughed and walked away. look at those holes! i was relieved when he told me i could use it, and it brought me much joy tearing into it with scissors.
our lovely machine:
our happy boy wearing his new beach pants!
his proud mama...i pulled it off! (just don't look at my stitching up close...and this was before i trimmed and sewed together the elastic waist):
a view of the (CUTE!) back:
the pattern was a piece of cake, but i'm certainly not going to win any awards with the outcome. they fit adam perfectly. if i'm going to do more sewing, i need to invest in a good pair of scissors.
rowan helped me by watching the sewing machine. he demonstrated how the needle went up and down by jumping alongside of it. he now wants his own pair. i may have to purchase some material...unless i dig out some old maternity clothes to cut up.