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A Quick Introduction

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Greetings and salutations! I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. First, I’d like to say a big thank you to Tanya at Best Fabric Store for her EXTREME patience and grace with me. I’m privileged to have the opportunity to bring my creative know-how to you. She has waited with much grace and anticipation, and I couldn’t thank her enough for being the kind soul she is. And, provides hands down the finest customer service, ever!

I’m a Texas girl who’s been a long term inmate… I mean resident of the state of Illinois. (I’m not an inmate, but it sometimes feels that way here in Illinois when I see what our governor’s up to again…) We’re hoping to be released soon on good behavior.

I’m also 56 years old, married to the love of my life. As a seamstress, I was reluctant from the get go. My mom was brilliant at sewing. Her work was flawless. I loved to watch her and wore everything she made with pride. She taught me everything I know; and to this day I can hear her words of instruction and encouragement. Mom went Home in 2003. I miss her every day.

But by the time I was an adult, I didn’t want to sew. Mom never gave up. She bought me my first machine when I was 24, which gathered dust for two years. My first project was a circle skirt, and an epic disaster. Eventually I made it work and wore it…once. The machine went back to gathering dust.

It took another year until I dug the machine back out while expecting my first child and there wasn’t a maternity clothing store within an hour’s drive.

Flash forward and here we are. Three grown kids later (and STILL waiting for grandchildren!) I’ve a love for vintage sewing ma [2]chines, and I do not consider myself a seamstress. I just love to make stuff. Frankly, I don’t really enjoy making clothes, and even less repairing them.

UPDATE: We’re officially Alabama residents! So Yahoo! Roll Tide and all that jazz!

However, I am sincerely crazy for DIY. So much so that I drive my daughter insane every time we shop because inevitably it ends with, oh, come on now, I can make that, followed by her angst and rolling eyes. She buys it anyway, though. I secretly laugh when it falls apart and smile sweetly when she then wants me to fix it.

I want you to know, I’m like you. I don’t have a fancy studio, and the air conditioning doesn’t flow so well in my little asylum! It’s warm up here as I write this. But it’s my space. I hijacked it from my daughter when she moved out. I currently sew on a 1945 Singer Featherweight, and I wouldn’t sew on anything else. I have six other machines ranging from 1940-1970. Each one has a place and a purpose. My middle son ironically also loves to sew, but his passion is for leather. He works for a saddle shop in the heart of rodeo country and also has his own business doing custom leather work including hand tooling. I’m very proud of him.

Update: the ’45 has gone to an early grave. But thank you Jesus, I was gifted with a ’66 Singer. I’m currently in love with this jewel that came to me completely serviced and overhauled.  [3]

I’m looking forward to sharing some fun projects with you each month. Don’t forget to search the archives. My predecessors are not the easiest act to follow. I strongly encourage you to check out the amazing projects they’ve written about. As we say down south, lagniappe. or a little something extra.

I’d love to hear what you have to say or any questions you may have. If you don’t understand any part of a project, please ask. I’ll respond as quickly as possible to get you back on track. I’d also like to see what you’re working on. Please share what you’re doing on Facebook [4]

Again, thank you to the amazing folks at Best Fabric Store. I love this American Made Business. They are the epitome of their name and are the absolute best at everything they do!

Blessings!

Mary