Thursday, April 22, 2010

so many projects, so little time!

Today was one of those days. You know, when you are ready to start a new sewing project, but you have so many great ideas you don't know what to do first? I seem to do that quite alot. I'd like to make more summer clothing for myself,(specifically for me-made-may) but I just couldn't settle on any one thing. I procrastinated for a while, made some brownies, did MORE  laundry and just generally puttered around. I decided that since I couldn't decide on a project for myself, I'd make something for my friend's granddaughter. A few weeks ago C and I went to goodwill. I picked up this pillowcase.


It was brand new, never used. It was embroidered on the front in crosstitch, and hand tatting all the way around the bottom. It amazes me sometimes what people will 'throw away'. It must have taken hours for someone to sit and embroider and tat. It really is pretty, and I only paid 99 cents for it!
I didn't use a pattern, I just measured down about eight inches from the top seam and cut. Then I folded it in half lengthwise and cut armholes. I used bias tape around the armholes and across the tops to make a casing.


For the ties, I used five lengths of 3mm ribbon each for the front and back. I hand stitched a couple of stitches in the center front and back to hold the ribbons in place, so they can't be pulled out. Then I threaded clear beads on the ends of the ribbons and tied in a bow. It was too dark to take any pics outside tonight, so my pics aren't all that great, but it turned out really cute!
This evening after dinner I spoke to my grandmother for nearly an hour. She lives in Saskatchewan, and I don't get to see her very often. She usually comes to stay with us for 4-6 weeks in Sept-Oct every year. Nan is the most amazing person I have ever known. Nothing seems to keep her still for long. She is always busy doing something. Knitting, embroidery, sewing, she does it all. She told me tonight that she went to fabricland today to buy fabric for two new blouses, and ended up buying two dress patterns as well! She doesn't drive, never has, and either walks everywhere or takes the bus. This past January, she fell after getting off the bus, and broke her arm. Thankfully after many weeks, it has completely healed. But that was the only time in her life she couldn't knit or sew! She nearly went out of her mind with boredom!   
My granddad passed away twenty-two years ago, six months before my mom. Nan had both of them at home, and nursed them both tirelessly till their deaths. I don't know how she did it. Taking care of both of them, only to lose both husband and daughter within six months.
In March of 2009, she called me, to tell me she was going on a trip. TO AUSTRALIA!! Wow, my globe trotting gramma! She was born there, but hadn't been back for about five years. We still have relatives there, and she went to stay with them for a month.
This year, instead of nan coming to stay with us in Sept., I am going to stay with her. You see it's for a VERY special occasion.  You see, on Sept. 11th, my nan, will be NINETY YEARS OLD!!!!  boy, do I feel humbled.  I love you nan!!

3 comments:

  1. it's beautiful! it truly is amazing what people throw away.
    your nan sounds like an amazing woman!

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  2. Awww, your Nan sounds lovely! Love the little dress, such a gorgeous shade of pink too!

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  3. It looks adorable! You can't even tell it was a pillowcase. First visit!

    Adin B
    http://itssewtasticmama.blogspot.com/2010/04/green-bag-ladys-40th-earth-day-freebie.html

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