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Healthy distractions

Writer's picture: Rebecca (a yarn enthusiast)Rebecca (a yarn enthusiast)

Lately, I have been more interested in sewing than crocheting or knitting, although I did do a few more rows on my wrap in progress this morning when I worked at the church (organist gig). I have less than 1/4 of a Caron Cake (the 3rd one in this piece) left to finish this, and am looking forward to using it.

Sometimes when I have a limited amount of time, and am not in the mood to play with yarn, I'll head to my sewing room and do a quick project, like the small, triangle coin purses I made last week. This week that impulse resulted in a gift for my daughter, who is a dog lover.



After this one turned out so delightful, I decided to get CREATIVE, so I QUILTED the fabric before making the triangle shape. It turned out REALLY cute, and I will be making a few more of those as well and will share their photos at that time. I gave my oldest granddaughter the stars one shown above, and promised to share the pattern and process with her, since she started sewing last year.


Somewhere in between these projects, I also decided to make another tote like my cats bag (which gets compliments every time I take it - filled with yarn - to the local crafting group). I chose a CANVAS remnant from my stash for it's main/outside fabric. Pictured in the middle of the 2 triangle coin purses above, I intentionally made this same pattern soon after I made that first one to solidify my skill in the new (to me) process for turning the corner on the bag. I have found that this quick sequencing of multiple makes on the same pattern is extremely helpful to me in remembering the tips and tricks that I figure out (or that my sister shares with me along the way), so that the next time I want to make this, it's simple and straightforward.


Once I finished the 2nd tote in the blue/gray toned canvas, I wanted to plan a sewing project that was NOT a bag. As much as I LOVE my sewn (and crocheted) bags, there's something to be said for variety.


I thought back to when my sister and I were little, and my grandmother made flannel nightgowns and pajamas for us each year. I had made myself a flannel nightgown several years back, and found a great pattern (pictured below).

As I sought to avoid watching television, especially since some recent national "events", I found this in my pattern library and decided that I would make another nightgown to get me through this Winter season! The one I made a few years ago came in handy when it was below zero this past week.


I did end up having to break my "no new fabric/yarn" rule, as there was not enough of a pajama-suitable fabric to make this pattern in my stash. I wandered over to the local Joann's to pick up some flannel and chose a Super Snuggle flannel with cats (black and varying shades of gray) on a white background.


Often when I am sewing or crocheting/knitting late at night, and the house is quiet, I wonder if my grandmother sewed and crocheted for some of the same reasons that I do: to ease her worries, calm her nerves, or distract her from less-than-ideal news. In my family, no one talked about those things, but I don't think her life was all that different from mine from the human perspective. She had hopes and dreams, some of which we knew about. She also suffered plenty of heartache and pain. Although she never coached us on how to navigate those periods in life, she did show us through her example. We (my sister and I) would not understand it until many decades later.


I'm so glad that I learned how to sew, to crochet and to knit. I'm thankful to have the resources around me so I can get the tools and supplies I need, and to have the time to indulge in these creative pursuits. I feel a deeper connection to my grandmother and great-grandmother (her mother, whom I knew and who lived until I was on Active Duty in the US Navy!) when I am snipping thread, clipping curves, stitching a straight seam or crocheting. I know that, in spirit at least, they are close by and that they understand why I am sewing seemingly silly little projects, or crocheting mini octopi. After all, they sewed and crocheted through WWI (great-grandmother), WWII (both of them), Korea, Vietnam, and the financial and political shenanigans that happened in between.


This week I will worry about the usual things: my children, my grandchildren, my elderly parents, the cost of living, whether I'm saving enough to retire, whether I should stay in my current job or look for one more change before retirement,... and the general state of things in this country and across the world. Thankfully, the wisdom of my grandmothers on how to survive these life journeys will help carry me through. That wisdom will encourage me to keep my fiber crafting close by so to provide healthy distractions for me in tumultuous times. It will also provide a gentle assurance that all is well, and will be - no matter what comes.


I especially needed that reminder this week.

 

(C) 2025 Stitch 'n Dish

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Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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