Oma Gives Sewing Lessons

Years ago I sewed.  A lot.  All kinds of strange things including wedding dresses (not just for my weddings although there were a few of those) and Renaissance Faire costumes.  I had nine of my own, just for fun.  But that was years ago.  When my writing career started in earnest something had to give.  It was the sewing.

So you can’t imagine my surprise when I asked Judah my granddaughter (her mother is my stepdaughter from my second marriage) what she wanted for Christmas.  “A sewing machine,” she said with as much excitement as her brother says “I want a Star Wars General Grievous Starfighter because it’s the only one I don’t have.”  (Okay, he didn’t say that this year, because this year he’s into Ninjago.)

“Really?”  I mean I didn’t even know kids these days knew what sewing machines were much less wanted one of their own.  “What do you want to make?”  Me, because I’m the oldest of six, expected her to say clothes.  When I was growing up the family clothing allowance was pretty darn slim and our sewing  machine got a workout with us older girls turning out shirts and skirts and dresses.

“Pillows,” Judah replies.  I probably blinked a little at that, but then I realized how perfect this was.  I could get her a sewing machine, then go visit Bakersfield for a few days to make a couple of pillows.  Sewing machine plus a few lessons equals One Great Christmas gift for both of us.

The Janome 2206 on Judah's desk

The only problem was the sewing machine.  What to get?  Frankly, I was thinking about a nice 1960s Singer with the easy dials and no digital interface like I’ve seen at the local fabric store.  Programming the machine to run isn’t the same as sewing.  Instead, I found a Janome 2206, which prides itself on being “a great machine for the beginning or returning sewist.”  We had one beginning and one returning, so what could be better?  Well the price, for one.  It was under $150.00!

The sewing machine made it there for Christmas.  I didn’t arrive until the 28th.  And unfortunately, Judah was a little under the weather so we didn’t hit the fabric store until the next day.  For the first time in years, I sat down at the little wooden desk every fabric store has and opened up a Simplicity pattern book.  It was a blast into my past.  These days my “wish books” are seed catalogs but from the time I was twelve until my mid-thirties, it was pattern books.  I’d stare at those layouts, the models dressed in beautifully sewn garments made with fabrics that didn’t always find a home in my local fabric store.  But I could dream, walking up and down the aisle, my fingers rippling across linen, broadcloth, calico, satin and silk.

the beginnings for pillows

We went straight to the Home Decor section and the first pattern offered was perfect.  It included on “Tootsie Roll” pillow, one square pillow, a pillow case and, should she decide to take a stab at it, a bed spread.  We did look at the others, but that first one,  Simplicity 1960, was just what the seamstress ordered.

Then it was time to do the dreaming.  We started down the cotton aisles, which now are organized for quilters.  That makes dreaming a lot easier because you can see what coordinates with what.  But, Judah is a girl after her Oma’s own heart, because she took a left at the remnants.

“These are cheaper,” she told me.  She apparently has a friend who sews and who has already informed her of the treasures available in the remnant bin.  We pawed through it for a while, but couldn’t find anything we loved.  Then we saw the sale cotton.  There was a pretty pink fabric printed with butterflies outlined in glittering silver.  Judah combined it with bright turquoise and hot pink fringe and, after adding a seam ripper, some batting and white thread, we were good to go.

While Amberly, her mom, went off the the gym (she’s been dedicated to working out since beginning her training for the 3 day 60 mile breast cancer walk which she completed back in November), we laid out our fabric and cut out two pillows.  Judah had chosen to make the Tootsie Roll (okay, I know that’s not what it’s called but it ought to be) and the small rectangular pillow. As usual, I’d bought more fabric than we needed just in case and after the pillows were cut out I was thinking there’d be enough for a third.

Judah threading her machine

We pinned the first seams and she sat down at the machine.  I can’t even remember the first time I sat at a sewing machine it was so long ago.  We threaded, rethreaded, filled the bobbin, installed the bobbin, took it out and did it again.  With everything in place, she pushed the fabric under the foot and pressed on the pedal.  WHIRRRRRRRRrrrrRRRRRrrrrrRRRRRrrrrrRRRRRrrrrr.   It’s no easier controlling a sewing machine pedal than it is the accelerator of a car.

The rectangular pillow was first because it was so dang simple.  She was thrilled when it was turned and stuffed.  Now it was time for inset fabric.  With each seam we got closer to the quiet steady whirrrrrr that the machine is supposed to make.  She got more comfortable with holding the fabric straight as it went under the foot.  Corners were made.  We learned how to baste and how to back up when you sew too far.  We even sewed right over the bumpy fringe with no trouble.

The only mistake made was made by yours truly.  Dang, I knew she had that turned upside down when she ran it through the hem stitch.  That’s when I got to tell her that the seam ripper is your best friend and that I’ve never made a project that didn’t have mistakes in it.  The key is to recognize the mistake, remove it or work around it and KEEP GOING.  No quitters allowed.

She was having a great time.  Two pillows were finished and now she’s eying the leftover fabric.  “Do you want to make one more?” I ask.  “I think we have enough to make a pillow case for your sleeping pillow if you want.”

The scissors and pins came back out.  This pillow case had to be pieced, and learning how to make a sheet of fabric from bits and pieces is a priceless lesson to anyone who wants to be creative.  Before long we had our pieces joined and the pillow case half made.  Then the creeping crud overtook her.  One minute she was sewing; the next she was promising she could keep her eyes open to watch while I finished.  It really wasn’t much more than a seam and the hem.  I told her to go to bed and she dozed while I put in the last stitches.

Here she is with her three pillows

But for all intents and purposes, she had made all three projects with just my supervision.

That’s my girl!