Lessons from a Sewing Class

I spent three most happy days recently taking a beginner sewing class.  From a Pentecostal lady.  In a sewing shop where all the employees are Pentecostal.  And the owner is Pentecostal.

First, it was sweet to be surrounded by ladies who dressed attractively and with feminine style every day!  Love, love, love.  I wish women knew how much good they could do in this world by thinking first about God's glory and others' edification when they choose how they will dress.

Second, I joined in on edifying conversations about homemaking, marriage, tending the sick, preparing for holidays, etc.  And that was all we talked about.

Third, I observed how integrated their lives are:  their church, shop, and home activities, their friendships, all Pentecostal.  Many of the shop's clientele are Pentecostal as well.

Fourth, I thought how marvelous it would be to own a sewing shop with all Catholic ladies from my parish working there, and going to Mass together, being closed on holy days of obligation, and having classes on how to make decorative items for celebrating the liturgical year!  Haha!  You knew that was coming!

Of course I shared all this with Emma when I got home, and we both indulged in the delicious fantasy for a few moments, as only commuter Catholics can truly appreciate.

Back to reality, I made a pair of prissy pajama pants for my mama out of a print with butterflies and flowers.  I added some giant pink rick-rack to the hem.  So adorable.  Emma said they were the cutest pajama pants she had ever seen.  High praise, indeed.

For me, the thing I needed to learn the most was a little confidence.  I actually had basic sewing skills before the class, but had not sewed in 25 years, and had such a horrible record of running into obstacles and not finishing, that I wanted this class as kind of a re-boot.  I really, really enjoyed the actual sewing.  I felt so relaxed at the end of each class!  Well, there was one little stressful thing.  I was using one of the shop's new-fangled machines that does not use a foot pedal.  My instructor called it "push button" sewing.  I had to take my right hand off the fabric to push the button to stop the machine.  Me not like that.  At all.  On the plus side, the machine speed was constant.  My foot is not.  I am looking forward to getting out my rugged and basic 1980s Viking machine that is not smarter than I am.  It can't thread itself or back stitch unless I tell it to.

At the end of the class, I bought a pattern for making this nifty travel iron carrier/ironing pad.  The shop had one made up and on display, and I thought it was super adorable.  Of course no one except quilters totes travel irons anymore.  Well, maybe RVers?  Oh, well.  I am making it anyway because of the cuteness factor, and it doesn't require zipper or buttonholes skills.  Lol!