Last night I snuck out of work early so that I could go home, change, eat, and get to my class by 6:45. I got home at 6:10, made dinner, changed, scarfed down the homemade "individual California pita pizza" getting sour cream both up my nose and on my shirt. So I changed again and raced out the door. It was back to school night at the high school so traffic going to the middle school where my class was being held was a nightmare. Fortunately, I was able to clean my nose while I sat in traffic; who knows what they would have thought of me otherwise. I was late, but not as late as I might have been.
When I introduced myself, I had to admit I couldn't really sew even though my mother had not only owned a quilt shop, she had taught applique classes. The women wondered why I hadn't learned from her. What do you say? Am I the only one in this predicament? (No. See "ease a sleeve.") Another woman said, "she must be so proud that you're taking this class." Granted, she was older, but probably not nearly as much older than me than she thought she was. Really, would you say something like that to a 40 year old? I had no idea how to respond to that one because 1) I don't even think I told my mother that I'm taking the class and 2) my mother is not so easily impressed and 3) as my boss pointed out, I've done a few things that she might be prouder of. At a loss, I just sort of stammered out, "My mother is difficult to impress." Someone else replied, "I was never able to impress my mother." So I didn't feel like a freak, and we could continue to meet the other people in the class.
It's about 50/50 older women and 25-30 year olds. I figure I'm about in the middle with maybe two other gals. The most interesting aspect of the group was that about half of the students have taken classes together before. There was real potential for them to be cliquish, but they were so nice. When one woman came late and said her roommate would be even later since she was parking the car, the women collected the handouts for the roommate. They were all very friendly, which bodes well.
Our first project is placemats. We have a choice of cherries or a party set (one with cake and one with presents). If I were smart, I'd do the boxes. Instead, I'm going to dive right in and do the cherries. Because if I can make an easy project difficult, I am all over it.
6 comments:
Am I the only one in this predicament?
No. My mother owned her own heirloom sewing store, makes wedding dresses, sews tons of clothes, makes quilts, etc etc etc.
And I can't even sew on a button.
My mom could whip up prom dresses and costumes for school plays like nobody's business. I think I can more or less sew a straight line now. Kind of. If it's not a very long line. If I get a trial go. Well, it might not be totally 100% straight....
I'm sure that woman thought she was much older than you. I still say you don't even look close to forty.
No, machine applique. I have to learn to love the machine.
I'm right there with you with making an easy project difficult! I have such a knack for doing that. When I read the instructions on the Shepherd's Bush website about how to finish the stockings, I thought - I know an easier way! But, I had to double check with my mom that I was not deluding myself with my "easy way" as I am known to do. My grandmother and mom were big sewers (making clothes, etc.). I had never sewn really before I took my first quilting class. I just jumped in. But no, they didn't teach me.
Looking forward to reading about your progress. I obsess over applique. I love it and hate it.
How lucky you mom owned a quilt shop and don't feel all alone. My aunt teaches clothing and textile services, begged me for years to let her teach me to sew but no, I wasn't going to sew Vogue patterns I was going to wear clothes out of Vogue. I am kicking myself today. If only I had just taken the time to learn the basics.
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