Continuing the diary catch up from last year, re reading it reminds me how things can change in the blink of an eye.
Day 65: Running stitch with variegated thread sewn in the round to resemble back stitch.
Diary Entry: Could not walk properly today, or lift or bend. I had to get my husband to get some support bandages from the chemist and lift my machine into the tent, he said about me not sewing. I said I couldn’t walk but I was okay sitting and sewing. I wasn’t sure at first how I would manage with my foot. Then I remembered that my machine could work without the foot pedal so I did. I felt so much better. Six hours of sewing and I finished off the remaining masks. I ironed edges, top stitched, channeled and added elastic. Tired now, showered and been sewing up my work. Feel accomplished as in 57 masks made this week. Tomorrow I am going to make nightwear for my friend’s birthday.
Today’s stitch has built my building, house or mill not sure yet. Running stitch worked in the round with variegated thread. The second time round will fill in the blanks the shade changes, so it looks like back stitch.
Day 66: Split Stitch in white cotton.
Diary Entry: Although not feeling 100 percent I needed to make the nightwear. The fabric was thinner than I would have picked, had I been able to get it from a shop and not offline, but I managed to cut the fabric, and make them within six hours. I went to bed early as I was not well, writing this retrospectively.
Day 67: Rhodes Stitch, white cotton.
Diary Entry: Housework was a struggle. Had a very bad night, headache, kept waking up. Got housework done and we had a BBQ, it was nice just to sit and chill. My eldest daughter also shaved the back of my hair and gave me a haircut. Feel better now. It’s amazing how much you miss when it is not there.
Day 68: Arrowhead Stitch variegated three strand thread.
Diary Entry: Struggled to wake, chatty ladies coffee morning, as normal. Then I sewed up two masks, for my husband’s work colleague. Then I visited my best friend socially distancing to give her nightwear. It was nice to get away from the house.
It was a nice day and now sat watching television.
I choose arrowhead stitch, because it means we are moving in a direction. Whether it is the right one or not only time will tell.
Day 69: Straight Stitch, thread strand pink.
Diary Entry: Cut the gowns, but didn’t have the spoons to do them. Instead I wanted to play, so I painted some fabric ready for the stitch clubs project. Later I finished playing with my pattern for the overlocker mask I was trying to make from scratch. Once happy with it I proceeded to make 13 ready to gift. I am considering making a workable template and instructions when I am able. It got cold and I needed to get in and prepare tea.
Shower and Sewing Bee, safe to say I relaxed.
Tonight’s stitch was straight stitch and just did a random pattern. I felt it just needed something in that place.
Day 70: Needle weaving Closed Base Picot, three strand green embroidery thread.
Diary Entry: Housework as it’s Thursday, OCD special. Then had my chatty session with the ladies, afterwards I cracked on with the gown making using waterproof fabric. Sat sewing with the overlocker in the tent, not quite an oven in there, but it was okay with air going around. I had a social distance visit from one of the chatty ladies as she dropped off some scrubs. As we chatted I carried on sewing the gown. Made several mistakes and had to unpick. It will teach me not to rush it. I managed to get three overlocked and will have another 5 to make tomorrow. Hoping to get them done before the weekend so it can be a “sew me my own stuff” Saturday, if not I will be still sewing up the gowns. They gowns are for an order so I need to crack on. Because it’s special water repellant fabric not many sewers want to work with it, maybe it’s because of their current skill level or lack of confidence. I am finding it is best made with an overlocker and not many people own one or confidant enough in using one to make a garment from scratch without a sewing machine.
Today’s stitch is closed based picot. My first one went really tight and a bit wrong so I did it again. Not fully happy with it, as this is a weaving stitch I feel it would have been better using a cotton or perle thread.
Day 71: Blanket Stitch. Yellow thin perle cotton.
Diary Entry: I managed to sew the five gowns, I also completed both my pouches for my stitch club project set by Debbie Lynndon. I struggled to find objects to put in them. But I put my eye as it saw lockdown and some letters as it meant I have kept contact with the outside world.
I chose blanket stitch as this was also the stitch that I used to close the pouches with.
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