Ready, Set...Stop. Okay, Go!

As previously stated here, one of my goals for the year is to learn how to sew. I have many memories of my mom and grandmother sewing things for us kids. Now that my daughters are showing an interest, it's the perfect time to get over my perfectionistic tendencies and give it a shot.

I bought fabric last week and washed and cut it. However, when I sat down to sew, the machine wasn't working properly. It's a hand-me-down from my mom but she had it serviced right before she brought it to me so I knew it was not in disrepair. I fiddled around with it a bit but found myself frustrated. I don't even know how to sew but now I have to figure out how the machine works? ugh. That's something I need to be in the right mood for...

Fast forward to today. I'm ready. Armed with the perfect genetic storm of my dad's resourcefulness and my mom's stubbornness, I grabbed a screwdriver, some WD-40 and started taking the thing apart. My dad's motto has always been, 'If I can take it apart, I can put it back together.' And, you know what? It's worked for him. Seriously, he can fix anything except an automatic transmission (and maybe he can even do that now.)

Three phone calls and several descriptions involving such technical terms as 'thingy' and 'dodad' later, I was up and running. As I suspected, a well-placed squirt of WD-40 was all that was needed. Uncharacteristically, I refrained from just hosing the whole down with it and patiently worked by process of elimination.

So, finally, I completed my first project -- laundry bags for my husband to use at the gym. We're working to reduce our purchase of plastics and eliminate the use of disposable plastics, so small trash bags as laundry bags are definitely out. Here's how the first turned out.

And, yes, if it falls apart in the wash, I will dutifully update you, dear reader...