Tuesday 16 April 2013

Time Capsule

When I was in high school I was abruptly introduced to the world of sewing.  Now, don’t get me wrong, my mother was always busy knitting, crocheting or sewing up a tutu or two, but for some reason I didn't ever really take any interest until someone said “Now listen carefully students as there will be a test on this”.  What? A test? – eek!  And so I was forced kicking and screaming (well emotionally so) to sit behind a wicked beast called (cue dramatic music) a Sewing Machine.  For this little tomboy (after my tutu phase) it was a step too far!

The school year progressed with my many a tussle with needle and thread.  My pillowcase not fitting a pillow.  My shorts ending up with one leg narrower than the other … yes well you get the idea.

Finally, as this was a non-compulsory class, I was asked by the powers-that-be if I would like to try something different?  Well derrrr!  They gave me a sharp pencil and put me in a technical drawing class with all the boys (I wasn't silly) and basically a Mechanical Draftsperson was born!

It wasn't until I – tomboy extraordinaire -  met my Fine English Fellow (FEF), lived in London and travelled all through Europe, that I started to notice and appreciate beautiful fabrics and colours beyond the red dirt and eucalyptus green I was usually surrounded by.
 
FEF and I finally return to Australia (because I missed the sun), marry on a lovely Autumn day and have two beautiful girls 16 months apart.  Suddenly though I feel the need to make something for them.  Something to wrap them up in.  Keep them safe and warm.  Snug as a bug in a rug – well perhaps a quilt?

With my children’s every happiness at risk … yes I do tend to exaggerate … I decided to take on my nemesis … the sewing machine.

This is my time capsule, my record – if you like, of the quilts (and probably other bits) that I make and give.  Whether that be to my family, friends or even complete strangers.

I've called this blog “Sew Giving” not because I'm a Saint or anything but because, ultimately, most of the quilts I make will be for the purpose of giving away … selfishly.  Selfishly because I get a real kick out of seeing people’s faces light up when they are given something homemade – made especially for them.  Selfishly because I don’t like to be beaten.  For every success I have on the Sewing Machine is a little personal win!

Sx

4 comments:

  1. Yay well done Serena! Oh! Yes, I remember the strange looking shorts and the pillow case that I tried to find a pillow that would fit. But gee Serena you have come a long way since those days ☺ When you first talked about making a making quilts I thought wow that is ambitious but I had every faith in you that you will achieve it as anything you put your mind to no matter the challenge you stick with it until it is done.
    Thank you for the beautiful double quilt that you made me as a surprise for my 60th birthday last year (and managed to hide the project from me for a year) lol. Its is the most beautiful present I could ever received. When I get the hang of adding a picture to your blog I shall pop on the picture of your beautiful quilt. I am proud of you and love you lots xxxxx Mum xxxx

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  2. Keep the clever work and artistic imagination flowing xxxx Mum

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