Well, today I finally opened it up. I know, more than a YEAR after he thoughtfully bought it for me. The truth is, I've had many projects piling up for that year but I never felt brave enough to tackle the "big bad" sewing machine. Until today, when that list became just one item too long and I suddenly felt like I couldn't even wait 'til the weekend to pull it out and start using it. So I opened it. Pulled out THE MACHINE. Tore off the plastic and safety tapes. Opened the bobbin holder thingy (see? I don't even know what it's called.) Looked at the directions.
And that's as far as I got before I felt the panic attack coming on.
I'm not exaggerating or making light of panic attacks, either. I literally felt my breath getting short--look at all the pictures with no words!--my heart pounding in my ears--where do I put this thread, or do I even have thread to put on it?--and the walls closing in on me--but I NEED to get this done TODAY! I don't know why, but I do... My vision started to narrow a bit and I threw down the way-too-big-and-too-complicated-for-me-'cause-I-just-want-to-make-a-short-curtain-anyway instruction manual and walked away to breathe again before the overwhelmed-ness of it all got out of hand.
So it sits there, half-opened in the guest room, packaging everywhere, and there it will stay until someone else walks me through it. Because the compulsive need to make something NOW has vanished and I'm just not motivated to figure it out on my own these days. And really, that's how I learn best. I'm not a book kinda learner, as much as I wish I was. I'm a watch-someone-else-do-it kinda learner. An I-need-someone-by-me-as-I-try-it-out-to-tell-me-if-I'm-doing-it-wrong kinda learner. An I'll-pay-you-in-chocolate-or-dinner-if-you'll-help-a-sister-out kinda learner. So I posted my request on Facebook, and while I don't have any takers yet, I'm sure I will soon. :)
And then, BE PREPARED. Because I will have LOTS to show off if I ever get this thing--and myself--put together! :)
Here are my TOP projects yet-to-do that require a sewing machine:
1. Small green curtains for our DVD "shelf" under the TV.
2. Pink ruffly scarf-like thingies for the bathroom shower curtains and above the mirror.
3. Curtains and an accent pillowcase for our bedroom.
4. A quilt for the Dustins that I have had cut for a year and a half and never did get around to sewing!!! (Better late than never??? Maybe they'll have ANOTHER boy in the next couple of years and it can go to him instead?!)
5. Matching aprons for my sister and niece(s).
6. A cute purse (I'm crocheting the outside but I want the lining to be sewn...I have no idea how to do that...it's NOT just straight lines!)
7. Felt heart banner for mantle.
8. Puppy mei tai for Voodoo so we can go bike-riding this summer without worrying about her jumping out of the basket or running between the tires. :)
You don't know me but I came here from pinterest looking for the crocheted converse. I'm not seeing that pattern but I noticed there weren't any comments and thought you should know you have some great craft ideas here and they seem pretty doable. Keep it up! And, from one Mormon to another, there's got to be someone in your ward who would LOVE to help you decipher your sewing machine. I'd volunteer but, like I said, you don't know me. :)
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