My sewing machine got a little dusty this winter. After I moved my sewing room to the basement last fall I couldn't bare the underground temps for long. I gave up on sewing for the better part of the season. Knitting filled the void and I hardly missed my other hobby.
But now it's hot. That wool yarn is feeling heavy on my lap. And that cold basement is downright lovely.
We had a wedding to attend this weekend. I made four large napkins as a gift. The couple has more modern taste, so I tried my darnedest to make patchwork look mod. (Is that possible? I don't know. I hope I pulled it off.)
These were a little hard to give away. I fell in love with them somewhere along the way. Maybe the colors. Maybe the new fabric. (New fabric! I never buy new fabric.) Maybe the near-modness of them.
I made two coordinating pairs, one with a patchwork strip on a simple grey, and one with large blocks of black, grey, and orange.
At the last minute I added a gift tag, in an attempt at humor. It reads, "I made these. So you're stuck with them."
Unless of course they want to give them back. Because I'd be okay with that too.
Speaking of weddings (and therefore proposals), have you seen this yet?
Oh, my.
I've watched it three times and cried every time. Best proposal ever. This could turn an earthworm into into a hopeless romantic. I mean really. The world is a better place for this being on YouTube. That's my two cents anyway.
Love,
Rachel
My first thought was ” Hey she got cool japanese napkins”. Then you said you made them and I thought I could make me some of those! I would have a hard time parting with them as well. They are lovely.
great “clean” looking new buttons, love, love, love the napkins. wish I could invite you to my wedding but I’ve been married for 18 years! the card is hysterical and the video was the bomb. Awesome post!
Very modern looking. Very classy! The tag is somewhat ironic from my friend who once gave me some of the best advice about gifts that weren’t quite my thing, “keep the love, pass on the gift.” 🙂
I adore these mats! what a great job youve done there!
Great wedding gift!
And, yes, I have seen the video. Then I watched it again, and cried again!
They’re gorgeous, Rachel! And very modern looking. Your tag cracks me up… xo
I saw the link to the video on fb and passed it up, and just finally watched it- and am SO glad I did! What a great way to start the day. Thank you!!!
🙂 The tag almost said “I made these so feel free to give them back if you don’t love them as much as I do.” but I couldn’t handle all that stamping. Love you.
I too passed it up the first time I saw it. I almost never watch video links that folks post on Facebook. But this one I just had to see. So glad I did!
…that was quite a production! I’m glad she said yes…lol
Love the napkins.
Beautiful work! I would love these as a gift. 🙂 I found your blog and am just adoring your lovely ideas and thoughts. Thank you for such inspiration!
Those are SO GREAT. Really good colour and choice of patterns. They would go with any type of decor.
You could! Absolutely. Not complicated, not fussy. My kind of sewing.
Thank you. I was hesitant to put the buttons up at first (too much?) but I love them too! Pete and I have been together for 18 years, married for 12. Every wedding I go to makes me want to do it all over again. 🙂
I keep watching. And crying. For whatever reason the laptops get me the most. Like the whole world is there singing to her. Gush.
Thanks Meghann. I hope the get that I was being silly. You never know what gets lost in translation!
Thank you Tanya. Welcome to my space.
Love the napkins. What a great gift! I do alot of hand-sewing, but I’m looking forward to getting a simple machine. Definitely need to make us some napkins (my boys have a list for me!) And I’ve watched the video several times, too. I completely agree with you. Best. Proposal. Ever.
🙂
Jenny,
I would encourage you to pick up an older, simple machine on Craigslist. (Make sure it has a zig-zag feature that isnt a separate accessory). New machines tend to be cheap and light-weight. Old machines are sold, all metal, and will last.
Just my two-cents!
Thanks for your two cents 🙂 My mom is giving me one of her older machines.
Rachel,
Why do YOU get to be so cool?!?
Aw, come on. Youre pretty awesome yourself.