I am not a quitter. I don’t quit. The idea of quitting makes me fight harder. Today we have dived into what is most certainly a sign of third trimesteritis. I quit on something. I had ordered the sweetest pink gingham fabric to make curtains for Lexi’s loft area/nursery.
See this fabric: So Sweet.
I spent an hour yesterday figuring out what size curtains I should make to do the window and then the loft opening to try to do some noise control. I then spent another hour measuring the fabric and the blackout liner ever so carefully cutting everything out so that I had 4 perfectly sized panels – with rooms for the hem. Then I spent another hour Ironing and pinning everything where it would be sewn.
Can you tell that I’m big on process and preparation? So I get out the sewing machine and it’s my Great Grandma Bo’s sewing machine from about a hundred years ago.
And I’ll be honest, it’s been about 3 years since this sucker was last brought out of the basement so I had green thread on the bobbin so I had to refer to Singer’s site to remember how to thread the bobbin. But we got there. I thread the machine. I think I’m ready to go. I’m excited. I feel this item being crossed off the to do list. I start my first panel. I get about 6 inches in and it jams. The back is a mess of thread. The bobbin is not pulling through correctly – I’ve got a massive amount of thread, big old tired loops of thread. The front, incidentally looked very nice. So I curse.
I adjust settings. I try again. My grandma Teresa taught me how to sew when I was a little girl – it’s something I’ve just always known how to do. It still doesn’t work. I break a needle. I replace a needle. I call my Grandma Janice. She doesn’t get why it’s not working either. Her best guess is the machine is crying for mercy. I’m starting to agree. I try again. And again. And again. And then it happens. The sewing machine dieing noise. And I am about to lose it. I just wanted to sew 4 damn panels of curtains. I look at my sewing kit. In case you were curious I am CRAZY enough to hand sew them. I really wanted them done. I then looked at the hot glue gun and gave that some real consideration too – but these are curtains for my daughter – they should be done the right way. So I swear, I curse, I fold up all my materials – I put the sewing machine stuff away. Put the sewing machine in the hallway and I stew. And now I have the big decision to make.
Do I buy a new sewing machine, realizing that I may not use it more then 5 times, do I borrow the FH’s moms machine…which I totally could do, do I wait for my Gram to come down with her machine and her help? If this happened a year ago I wouldn’t be typing this because I’d be at Target buying a new machine. But today in third trimesteritis, I write about it while Ted sleeps under my desk.
Filed under: It's not Everything, Pregnancy in Practice | Tagged: sewing, third trimester, whine
I give you credit for even trying. I’d have given up at the thought of making curtains.
Oh man. Wish we lived closer. I now have 2 sewing machines in my house since I have moved into my grandmothers! Both very old…but not as old as yours, and they work!
I’d go and get a new one anyway! You should check craigslist or eBay, maybe you can get one cheap.
Ok, first? You need a bigger desk. How can you possibly be comfortable at that?!
Second? I tip my hat to for even entertaining the idea of making curtains, let alone actually starting it.
Don’t buy a machine. You yourself said it may not be used too much. Either borrow FH’s Mom’s or wait for your Gram.
And really? It’s okay to “quit” on something like this. Technically? You didn’t quit. The machine did.
Oh I agree with Kellie. The machine quit on you. You, experiencing thirdtrimesteritis, would have soldiered on if not for the crapping out of the machine. Did that help? ‘Cause seriously, I wouldn’t have DARED make curtains. I scrapbook and that is the extent of my creativity.
My cat sleeps under my desk too. I do love the purring at my toes.
hey – you got further than i ever would have – prego or not! if it makes you feel better (which i’m sure it won’t) i slapped a meme on you on my blog. you know, like in case you don’t have anything better to do.
machines do not cooperate do they ??? check out my giveaway – perfect for a new baby !!
Gotta love those hormones in the third trimester. Just think…you are in the homestretch.
Hope you are having a good weekend.
The pictures were cute!