This week I have been using up my odds and ends of fabric to make little bits and pieces - cushion hearts and coin purses mainly.
Because of the size and light nature of the fabric I've been hand sewing as a pose to sitting at the machine. Now don't get me wrong I love my machine - I love the speed, the straight lines, all the different stitches and generally how simple it makes bigger projects. But sitting down on the sofa with a needle and thread has a very different charm.
I've been enjoying watching each single stitch develop and the repetitive motion of weaving in and out of the fabric. I've enjoyed the extra time it takes and the close attention that can be paid to the development of each project. Sitting quietly isn't something that happens a whole lot in my life and patience certainly isn't my natural gift. Between a job that involves constant interaction with people to generally being an individual who loves to talk endlessly I sometimes could go days without being quiet and taking time to sit and think. When I'm sitting at the machine it's wizzing away and I think just about what's in front of me.
So this week to suddenly stop for periods of time to sew by hand and just be has been quite different. Yet I loved it - my conclusion is that sewing is my kind of therapy.
I can talk constantly but actually say very little. This is something I've been told a number of times in my life. But stopping talking and just being with my thoughts is a quite different feeling.
Watching a project steadily develop, feeling productive and yet embracing the peaceful quiet around me and enjoying my time to process my thoughts has been amazing. Everyone needs their bit of 'me time' and for everyone it looks a little different.
For me as I focus on crafting more regularly I'm going to try to make sure that a part of that each week will be without the machine - sewing by hand or maybe doing some knitting - something where I can sit and enjoy my own thoughts. Honestly I'd recommend it! I might even keep my eye out for a comfy chair as an addition to my attic craft space - somewhere I can curl up, sew and enjoy the sky above me. Sounds like a freecycle check is in order :-)
