When Chris surprised me with a sewing machine for Christmas, he also made sure I had lessons because I haven’t touched a sewing machine since 8th grade home-ec. Even then, my friend, Tim, finished sewing my pillow for me. So yeah, “thanks for the lessons, babe!”
There were only four of us in the class, and I was the only one that didn’t know how to thread a bobbin, or my machine. When my teacher was explaining to some of the other ladies how their high-tech machines could secure a stitch with a button (or something like that), she turned to me and said, “You’re gonna have to sew backwards.” I got very wide-eyed and nervous, “I have to sew backwards?!” And then she clarified that I didn’t always have to sew backwards…and began to understand how “beginner” I was. She was careful with her words after that.
Although, she is definitely one of those people that has a lot to say–a lot of things that make people, or maybe just me, uncomfortable. Like when before the class even started, “Oh yeah, my husband is not going to be happy I spent $900 on sewing software today. That’s why he’s not going to know!” What am I supposed to say? I just said, “Oh? Yikes.” To which she responded, “Ah, he won’t know I run the books.” And then later she dropped some more money talk when she proclaimed a carrying case for her machine–which is DOUBLE the size of any of ours–costs about $300. When the store manager came over to say a few words to us and give us some tips, she made sure he knew that she already told us every word he just said. And to top it all off, she said “assessories” instead of “accessories.” like 100+ times. UNCOMFORTABLE! But to her credit, she knows what she is doing (even if she does let you know it quite often) and she did a great job at teaching me some basics.
By the end of class, I had my bobbin all ready (I’m sorry, I know zero sewing terms!), I had my machine threaded, and I even sewed a straight line AND secured the stitch! I have three more 3-hour classes, and she assured me by the end I would “be a pro”…and then she corrected herself, and said I would “well, have a good idea what you’re doing.” We all had a good laugh.
I came home, to a baby sound asleep, a clean house and a husband waiting to snuggle. I fell asleep while we watched The Terminal, and sewed all night in my dreams.
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
SHop all
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A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]
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Very cute. Love the bag.
Very cute. Love the bag.
Love it love it love it. Love the idea of the gift, love the classes to go with it, love a willing husband giving you 3 hours alllll to yourself, and love where this is headed for you!
You really just need to know a few basics, and it seems like this class is perfect. I was so happy to have gotten my machine while still living with my parents because my mom gave me lessons everytime I pulled out my machine. Bless her.
That lady sounds OUT OF CONTROL!!!!!!! Not fun. Those kind of people make me squirm and how to never talk to AGAIN.
What’s your first project???? Now you can make your OWN binky clips!!! :-)