Spring Forward

I’ve been in a slump for a while now. Does this ever happen for you? Things just seem to bring more obstacles the more I worked to figure things out. I’ve been working for months on a project that, at times, I definitely felt out of my depth. It’s something I’ve never done before.

Plus there’s so much to do with the house. The yard has been neglected for years. In fact, the house had been empty for years before we bought it. We’ll be starting to work on the yard this spring, planting a native plant, pollinator wildflower meadow and building a dog run are the first things we’ll be doing.

Anyway, I was starting to feel as if the universe was telling me something. But what? Retire from the pattern/sewing business? Just stick to what you already know how to do? Focus on other things? like the house? My family? Spirituality? Self care? Not sure, but then the machine decided to turn the volume way up.

This past month, my old faithful machine, a workhorse really, decided to retire. It broke in such a way that I can’t use it: the presser foot buttons won’t lower the presser foot. That’s gonna be expensive. She is an early computerized machine (technology Viking isn’t supporting any longer–things have changed so much since I bought her) and I had to make the choice to move on.

Is the universe screaming at me to quit? Stop sewing for a living? One thought I kept having throughout this: I used to sew for fun, things I wanted to sew. I haven’t sewn clothes for myself in a very long time and I miss that. I also miss having t-shirts and blouses that fit me the way I like, in the pretty fabrics I choose. Last summer, I bought a bunch of fabrics to make myself a dress, pj sets, and tops, but I have not found time. Or rather, I chose not to make the time or place it as a priority.

That hit me. I don’t take time out for me, or often enough maybe. Non-sewing time is usually spent doing for others, focused on others or other responsibilities, and I know we all have a lot to do, but a better balance would be healthier. So I explored this a wee bit. Signed up and took a week-long workshop conference type thing for women about business and empowerment.

I’m very glad I did. I took the week off of business and did a lot of looking inward. Boy, was that eye opening. Considered what it would be like to not sew for a while. Considered how I fill my needs, take time for myself, and how I want to spend my time. For me, not sewing is not an option. So I decided the universe must be telling me to buy a new machine and sew what I want to sew.

I really didn’t like the new Viking machines, and have owned, or tried, most every brand. Through teaching sewing, I’ve helped students learn to use their new machines. Teaching at expo in the Viking classroom made me really not want a new fancy Viking. Those machines were sewing without the student and just didn’t impress me.

There are a lot of good brands to choose from. The Pfaff I bought for my daughter is great, but it has a funky backstitch feature, which irritates me. Elna is also nice, as is Janome, but neither wowed me. I’ve always loved my mom’s Bernina Record 830 and I owned a later model (80’s model, not top of the line) for a while. It was a solid machine and stitched so beautifully, but it wasn’t the same as the Record so I sold it.

Bernina is kind of like this level all the others reach for, but whenever I considered it, I just could not get past the presser foot issue. Must be Bernina brand, no generic. They are expensive and when you sew garments, there are a lot of ones I use often.

So after my machine started hinting that she was tired of cooperating, a couple weeks ago, I looked into all the new machines. I went to the Viking store, but didn’t change my mind that I was done with Viking for a bit. Nothing personal. In fact, I really love their mechanical machines (Emerald 118) and own 4 for my sewing classroom.

I decided to go look at Berninas at a shop I trust and have worked with for years. I brought home a 790 plus that had very low mileage. It was bought a year ago by a serial trader. You know, like when your grandpa used to buy a new car every 2 years from the same car dealer.

Playing around, working through the stitches. I also created some little embroidery designs.

I decided to use the sample embroideries for a St. Patrick’s day dress for my AG doll. I’m using the square-neck dress pattern from Doll Dress Boutique.

I’m definitely feeling my sew-jo coming back. I’m excited to sew again. Not sure about the rest of it, but I feel the love of sewing and know it’s a huge part of who I am. I’m still exploring my direction and how I show up in my life. All in all, I feel really positive things are going to be alright, no matter what I decide.

Please take care of yourselves <3 and as always, happy sewing!

~Erin