Completely unrelated, but inspired by the lovely bed photo - would you be willing to discuss the sleeping arrangements for your kids now that they are growing? We have three (almost 13, almost 10, and 6) in one room. Two boys, one girl. So far, they are still in a bunk & trundle, but I want to spruce up the room a little, leaving enough open floor for basketball games, which is a requirement. I'm torn on how to arrange sleeping and also concerned about privacy (though so far the kids don't seem to care, but society and grandparents are telling me I should care, but do I really? Not sure. We're a pretty open family).
i feel like you are more of an expert here, than me! but happy to chat about it! (Evergreen reminder: other people can do whatever they want in their homes, we can do whatever we and our kids want in ours!)
If I’m honest, it takes a lot longer than a few minutes to buy something, even online. Now that I have kids I have started loathing shopping. The time spent searching, the time spent inevitably returning or going back to the store because I forgot something or got the wrong size. Erin, your description of making something with your hands sounds a lot better. And, what’s this? I inherited a sewing machine? Ok, I guess I’ll learn how to use it.
Back in college I interviewed a woman who did art restoration, who told me that one must enjoy every step of the process, which you also articulate beautifully here. It's why I love knitting: choosing a design, feeling up all the different possible yarns, testing it out in a gauge swatch, and then making items both big and small one stitch at a time. When you make something yourself, you get to make all the choices about color, texture, pattern and fit. It takes longer for the finished product, but enjoying the process is everything.
I've never been a DIY oriented person but this essay might just have convinced me to change that. Thanks for the framing around how it can be a more long-lasting joy to create things yourself vs. the temporary dopamine hit of online shopping. I have one dresser in my son's room that I painstakingly painted after finding it for $30 at Goodwill and it's pretty much my only DIY (or certainly my most involved) and I gotta say, I DO feel a sense of pride every time I look at it.
I made four pillowcases! None of them were patchwork per se, but they were all made from these smaller remnants pieced together. (The one in the picture was sewn from the bandana mentioned above (for the front) and scraps from an old linen dress (for the back). More visuals of the other covers, here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2seY2rxlZF/
Over many years of being influenced (complimentary) by you, I may finally have a permanent enough life/salary to commit to purchasing a sewing machine and properly learning how to use it. (I was taught on various complex ones as an uninterested child.) I'm sure you've recommended models in the past but I'd be interested in yours, Erin, and other readers' recommendations for machines (available in the US)!
I have a heavy-duty Singer that I love, esp cause I’m often plowing through scraps of denim and canvas etc! It’s v straight-forward, hard-working and all things considered, affordable! This is my exact machine: https://www.singer.com/heavy-duty-4452-sewing-machine
Oh me too! And preferably in a way that doesn't just result in me clicking "buy" on the first one recommended by someone online shopping site. I would love to hear readers' recommendations for used sewing machines that are really accessible for newbies, especially those of us (me!) who don't have intentions of doing complex sewing jobs but want to be able to navigate a few projects and repairs.
Good reminder...
Completely unrelated, but inspired by the lovely bed photo - would you be willing to discuss the sleeping arrangements for your kids now that they are growing? We have three (almost 13, almost 10, and 6) in one room. Two boys, one girl. So far, they are still in a bunk & trundle, but I want to spruce up the room a little, leaving enough open floor for basketball games, which is a requirement. I'm torn on how to arrange sleeping and also concerned about privacy (though so far the kids don't seem to care, but society and grandparents are telling me I should care, but do I really? Not sure. We're a pretty open family).
i feel like you are more of an expert here, than me! but happy to chat about it! (Evergreen reminder: other people can do whatever they want in their homes, we can do whatever we and our kids want in ours!)
Love this - “I was looking for something to do that wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing.”
If I’m honest, it takes a lot longer than a few minutes to buy something, even online. Now that I have kids I have started loathing shopping. The time spent searching, the time spent inevitably returning or going back to the store because I forgot something or got the wrong size. Erin, your description of making something with your hands sounds a lot better. And, what’s this? I inherited a sewing machine? Ok, I guess I’ll learn how to use it.
Back in college I interviewed a woman who did art restoration, who told me that one must enjoy every step of the process, which you also articulate beautifully here. It's why I love knitting: choosing a design, feeling up all the different possible yarns, testing it out in a gauge swatch, and then making items both big and small one stitch at a time. When you make something yourself, you get to make all the choices about color, texture, pattern and fit. It takes longer for the finished product, but enjoying the process is everything.
Yes! So SO much to be said for making things to your own precise specifications!
I've never been a DIY oriented person but this essay might just have convinced me to change that. Thanks for the framing around how it can be a more long-lasting joy to create things yourself vs. the temporary dopamine hit of online shopping. I have one dresser in my son's room that I painstakingly painted after finding it for $30 at Goodwill and it's pretty much my only DIY (or certainly my most involved) and I gotta say, I DO feel a sense of pride every time I look at it.
Right?! Priceless! 😅
The colourful pillow in the image looks different from the scrappy patchwork one you describe in the essay--? Or am I mistaken?
I made four pillowcases! None of them were patchwork per se, but they were all made from these smaller remnants pieced together. (The one in the picture was sewn from the bandana mentioned above (for the front) and scraps from an old linen dress (for the back). More visuals of the other covers, here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2seY2rxlZF/
Thank you for sharing the link! I'm not on social media, so I never get to see these nice pictures!
Ah, got it!! Thanks and great job!
Over many years of being influenced (complimentary) by you, I may finally have a permanent enough life/salary to commit to purchasing a sewing machine and properly learning how to use it. (I was taught on various complex ones as an uninterested child.) I'm sure you've recommended models in the past but I'd be interested in yours, Erin, and other readers' recommendations for machines (available in the US)!
I have a heavy-duty Singer that I love, esp cause I’m often plowing through scraps of denim and canvas etc! It’s v straight-forward, hard-working and all things considered, affordable! This is my exact machine: https://www.singer.com/heavy-duty-4452-sewing-machine
Fantastic!! Thank you! Yes, exactly - those denim and canvas abilities are a must.
Oh me too! And preferably in a way that doesn't just result in me clicking "buy" on the first one recommended by someone online shopping site. I would love to hear readers' recommendations for used sewing machines that are really accessible for newbies, especially those of us (me!) who don't have intentions of doing complex sewing jobs but want to be able to navigate a few projects and repairs.