I'm not sure if it's a case of mid-pregnancy nesting, or if the late winter stir crazies have set in (likely a bit of both), but there's been a flurry of very practical sewing around here. The mending basket - often neglected in favor of sewing projects of the New & Exciting variety - has been slowly shrinking (oh, poor Stanley has needed new arms for nearly a year), and simple little projects I've been intending to get to for some time are being checked off the list each day.
There's a new door snake for our front door which helps block just a little bit more air from coming in (though, I feel silly mentioning it when Steve has spent hours - days - working on more concrete things in this area to cut down on heat loss. Still, every little bit helps, and I think this little snake really does help). I made a long tube out of muslin, stuffed that full of beans and rice, and then made a wool "cover" for the whole thing - like one big long tight-fighting sock that required three people to put on. But this way, when kids spill or dust gathers, I can easily (or not so easily, as the case may be) remove the cover and wash it without having to make a new one.
Our dish strainer got a much needed 'mat' of sorts to catch all the water drips. It's a layer of vintage terry cloth on one side and a canvas cotton on the other - simply sewn together, turned inside out, and topstitched. I made two identical mats, so when one is being cleaned, we'll have another to replace it right away. Since I just told you yesterday how much I love handwashing woolens, I won't launch into my mostly-love - or rather contented acceptance - of washing dishes these days. But it's true - we have no plans to replace our dishwasher in this house, and I am coming to really treasure the half hour spent after dinner as a family washing dishes together. (If it makes you feel better, I despise folding laundry. Which is why there is no folded laundry in this house. But that's a confession for another day.)
Next up on the list: bedskirts (yes, I'm really going to make them) and just a few more curtains before spring. Some pants to hem, and kid pants to patch before I send them on out into the mud and dirt of spring play. Then, before the garden draws my attention, it will likely be onto some practical baby projects - a few more diapers and as many cloth wipes as I have the patience to make.
Indeed, there's nothing glamorous about this kind of sewing, and yet, the satisfaction is huge. Practical and useful, little things that actually help our days to flow a little bit smoother, eliminate a need for buying something, or just make things cozier around here.
Yes, I've been practically sewing.
And you? Has anything come across your sewing table lately that has made your days easier, or simply improved something you already do? Do share with us in the comments if you're so inclined!
