Contemplating what I really wanted to put on my Christmas wish list this year took a little thought, but it wasn't too difficult. I can honestly say there aren't too many things I just
really, really want or
just am dying to have. Sure I would like a new
Bernina 830, but my Bernina 200 works fantastic and I love using it. There are always piles of fabrics I want and would use, but I have a whole stash in my sewing room.
Complete new sewing room furniture like a
Koala cabinet set would be a perfect addition to my sewing room. But if I did that, then I would need a much larger area that what I have now. Which ultimately means
more room,
more furniture,
more machines,
more fabric, etc....and the list goes on and on.
As things would come to mind, I would consider it and then cross it off my list. I kept thinking to myself,
"What is the most sought-after item I really need? What could I really use that would be beneficial to me in the days to come? What do I need to be more efficient, be able to get more accomplished and still enjoy doing what I do?"Time. Yes, time. That's what's #1 on my list.Let's face it -
time is valuable! I can have the greatest sewing machine in the world
(which that 830 would certainly be at the top!), the most gigantic stash in the whole wide world
(one sorted by fabric type and color, of course!), the largest and most organized sewing room ever built
(which would hold everything I ever needed in my stitching!), but without the benefit of time, I just would feel hopeless. Defeated. Unable to accomplish anything.
I'm still learning to use my time efficiently and only do the things that I really desire to do with the stitching time I have available. If I plan to stitch every single garment, quilt, wall hanging, craft project and embroidery design I would like to, I would never complete it all - even if had 500 years to do it! And as a young generation stitcher, I have more years to stitch my projects than various others in this hobby.
For those of you who struggle with the same thing and I
know you are out there, you have to pick and choose what you want to spend your time on. If your favorite thing to do is piece quilt tops, then do that and have someone else quilt the layers. Or if you hate selecting fabrics and just want to get to the cutting and sewing, then purchase kits which simplify the process. If your love is machine embroidery, then do it and forget about the embroidery by hand.
That's not to say that venturing out of your typical area of stitching is beneficial, because it is and can prove valuable in giving you greater ideas and learning new things. Try new techniques, take new classes, learn different aspects of stitching and if you find out you love it, incorporate it into your stitching. If it's not quite for you, than set it aside. You did it. You learned something. But you enjoy other aspects of sewing, quilting, embroidering, etc. more.
Discover what you love doing in this hobby and stick with it. Do what you enjoy doing and leave the not-so-desirable parts to someone else who enjoys that part of the project if at all possible. Sure, there are always aspects of any project that are more fun to complete than others, but do what you enjoy stitching. Because you only have so much time to do it in.
So if anyone one of you want to give me something this year, you now know what it is! Oh, and whoever knows of a website selling this much-sought-after item, just email me the link before announcing it to the whole world. I want to be sure to order ample quantities of it, because whoever came up with it, is sure to be selling out within minutes! :)
Labels: About Me, Christmas Ideas, Fabric Stash, Helpful Lessons
From Nancy regarding her Monkey Pillowcase: Recently my daughter moved into her own apartment. I keep thinking of the line from the nursery rhyme; “No more monkeys jumping on the bed.” I am used to having “monkeys” and “monkeys’ friends” at home. This pillowcase makes me smile at my empty nest status and keeps a monkey on the bed.
