To Sew or Not to Sew

Honestly, I may never sew again.  “Michelle, you can sew?!” “Yes.  It’s really not that hard.”  I took lessons about 11 years ago with some girls from work.  Wednesday nights with Ms. Edna over at Hancock Fabrics.  It was a good time and I was learning something valuable – and knew that my Nama would be proud.

The very last of my projects from last weekend was to sew some overlays for my bff, Dana.  Tonight she’s throwing a graduation party for her sister-in-law, who graduated from law school last Saturday.

Whenever Dana has a party, there’s always a theme…Dana loves a good theme.  So she’s gone all out for this shin-dig tonight and as usual, when she started planning this party, I offered to help.

“I got this fabric that I want you to make some overlays for the cocktail tables…” she said.

{Can’t I just make a cake or some cupcakes or brownies or something?  Or bring some chips and dip?}

So last weekend, in between the painting of the colored metal and making Eliza Jane’s bow frame, I was working on this little project.  “Was” is the key word.

I “was” working on it until my sewing machine decided to go on the fritz.  I was just chugging along and boom, it hit.  Confusion.  I’d threaded my bobbin, but nothing was happening.  “What they hey?”  

I tried, tried, and tried again, but nothing was happening.  “Now what?” I mumbled.  I unplugged it and just let it sit, knowing I could come back to it later. 

Here’s my sewing machine (it’s REALLY old, and was a hand-me-down by a friend’s mom about 11 years ago).

Thinking the inevitable (it was NOT GOING TO WORK. EVER. AGAIN), I picked up some stitch witch at Wal-Mart the other day.  I’d never actually used it before, but I knew of this little miracle.

To sew or not to sew was an easy decision….I would not.  The machine will not work.

So I rose early this morning (before 7am), gathered my tools – the cut fabric, the Heat n Bond (same thing as stitch witch) and my amazing Rowenta (I heart her):

We went to work.  I actually ironed down the “seam” first, then inserted my stitch witchery, then ironed again….slowly.

It took me about 30 minutes to do 2.5 of these (they are rather large) and I have to say I’m pleased.

I may never sew again.  Honestly.  This was easier…and I didn’t look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame after it was all over {anybody else feel like this after tensing up over your machine for hours on end??}

If you can’t sew, or just don’t know how to, but need a small hem mended or want to put together an overlay for your display table, grab some stitch witch, your ironing board and get to work!