TO SEW....OR NOT TO SEW

UNFINISHED PROJECTS - FINISH OR NOT?

A SAMPLING OF MY MOM'S LAP ROBES I LOVE THIS FABRIC, BUT I KNOW I DON'T NEED IT I LOVE OLD WOODEN SPOOLS

At the end of each day I tell myself, "Tomorrow I'll finish a sewing project or begin a new one". I always have the best of intentions, but when tomorrow comes, there are all sorts of things that prevent me from sewing. I realize many of those obstacles are of my own making, so . . . do I really want to sew?

For over 30 years I participated in art and craft shows or sold my handmade items in shops. Besides doing shows, I made things to donate to animal adption agencies and church bazaars. I took orders and made one-of-a-kind items for some clients. I loved sewing so much that I spent the better part of each day doing it. These days I don't have the incentive to do much sewing since I'm no longer doing shows. I still love fabrics and buttons and patterns, oh my! I have more of those things than I'll probably ever use, but is it enough to simply have them as decorations in my sewing room? What I need is a goal or a reason to sew.

So far I haven't been stressing too much about this because I think it's perfectly fine to take a break from sewing. If it becomes a dreaded job, then why do it, right? Here's the kicker. Part of me really does want to work on things, but part of me thinks it's just too much trouble. I seem to be at odds with myself. How can that be? Many times I've sworn off buying fabric because I already have more than I need, but when I think about my mom needing flannel to make lap robes, I feel compelled to go to the fabric store. Once there, if I see a new cat-print fabric, sometimes I just have to buy a little of it.

Today I'm telling myself I want to work with flannel and find an easier method for my mom to make her blankies, as she calls them. For years she has cut fabric into 6" squares and sewn them together in patchwork patterns. It takes 48 squares for the front of one lap robe. I think I can simplify the process by cutting the flannel into 12' squares. It would only take 12 of them to make one lap robe top. If I use contrasting prints or solids, the results would still be pleasing to the eye. I think I'm going to make at least one lap robe today. Maybe that will get the creative juices flowing. When I finish it I'll post a photo. There, I have a goal!