Here is an Easter-themed table runner I made for my mom.  Since she lives about a bazillion miles away on the other side of the planet, I had to finish and mail it quickly so that she would have a few days to use it before and on Easter Sunday.  Anyway, in the picture you can see a sort of “dip” in the binding.  I would like to think that the way it is draped on the back of the sofa has made it look a little dippy.  Possibly the camera angle is to blame.  No, neither is to blame.  I didn`t carefully mark and baste – in the previous entry I talked about how important both are to a beautifully finished piece of work.  Now, possibly,  you can see that it is true.   Of course, my mom says she has no idea what I am talking about – but – she`s my mom. 

Actually, she is the reason I sew.  When I was in junior high we had what was then called “Home Economics,” I only remember sewing, although we must have had cooking as well.  I made a dress in class and when I brought it home she said,  “It`s beautiful, make another one.”   And so I did, and another and another, each with a slightly different detail – remembering one blue and white print with a bit of lace in the middle; another, a pale yellow print with three buttons, each picking up a color in the print.  I really cannot recall when we first went looking for other patterns at the fabric store but I gradually moved away from that awful first pattern.  I have always loved designer clothes and in high school was thrilled making KENZO, Willi Smith and Christian Dior clothes from Vogue and McCalls patterns.  My mom even sent me to sewing classes at a local department store when I was in high school.  I have rarely been without a sewing machine in my life.  I sewed and sewed on my mom`s Brother machine (guaranteed for 25 years, a long time I thought, back then).  I still use a Brother but I also have a Jaguar and a Juki, a three-thread lock machine.  Also, I still use designer patterns but now freely add or subtract from the patterns for a more personalized look. By the way, my mom can`t sew but she does crochet.  I once asked her to teach me, I told her it looked easy – “one two, stick it through,” – but it`s not and all I can do is a granny square but cannot join them in a way that looks nice.   I have quite a few very large granny sqaures that are not finished – maybe someday.   For now, I am working on some seasonal table runners for my two sisters.  The holiday is far enough away that I won`t have to rush.

A number of years ago, I made this jinbei or traditional Japanese summer menswear for my husband, Yutaka, seen modeling in the picture above.  He had not worn it for a few years and we had trouble finding the jacket, put away in the closet somewhere.  I learned many fine sewing points while making this.  First of all, the jacket is not completely traditional.  The picture appeared in a magazine for men who wanted cool and light clothes for summer but don`t want to look like old men.  There is nothing tailored about it at all, yet it took a lot of time and effort.  There is a sort of patchwork (or to be more precise – insets) feel to the jacket and instead of the traditional string ties, it has a double-breasted look with buttons placed low on the side.  The most important thing I learned was about marking and basting.  These two time-consuming yet simple steps are the difference between a garment that looks homemade and something that looks professional and well made.  I have to admit I don`t always do them.  Sometimes I just need to put something together to keep my hands and mind busy.  The difference is plain for me to see.  Carefully marking the pattern to the cloth and then basting the pieces together before sewing keeps the seams flat and crisp.  If you press as you go, there is no trouble when it is time to put in the sleeves on a jacket, a zipper in a dress or a pair of pants, pockets and waistbands.  These are all the things that patterns, books and teachers tell us, but to actually see and feel how well a garment is put together can make one a better shopper as well.   Whether you shop in a discount store, department store, outlet or flea market, odds are if you are a careful seamstress/dressmaker you can immediately tell if a piece of clothing is well made or not.  Sometimes, if a fad comes along and you want to join in, you can choose to spend money on something that is well constructed for a higher price, or, maybe you think that fad won`t last but the clothing you just bought will get you through until the end of the fad, for a much lower price.  It is up to you but you can make an informed choice.   By taking your time and paying attention to details you can end up with something you can be proud of, like I am of this jinbei I made when I attended fashion school here in Japan.

This is the time of year that lots of repairs have to be done.  I don`t know why, but right before the change in seasons things start of sort of fall apart.  Buttons must be resewn, seams must be mended, even sheets have to be repaired although I can`t understand how my son Junichiro managed to rip a long hole down the middle of his bed sheet and I am not sure the repair will hold.  At least Costco is opening up soon, about an hour from here, and I will be able to buy good quality sheets and towels.  Anyway, applique has been on my mind and apparently in my hands as well.   Just today, I finished the applique part of a new pillow.   It still has to have a zipper put in and sewn together.  The one thing I enjoy about applique is choosing the color scheme.  First, a pattern is selected and drawn onto paper.  Then, I start thinking about who the item is for and that leads to the color scheme.  I don`t really think about the person`s decor, much to the dismay of my two sissies (Jessica and Susan).  They once sent me the fabric for some table centers I wanted to make as Christmas presents for them.  I think about their personality and what colors I see for them.   It doesn`t always match what they think of for themselves, but I think they enjoy the presents.  Today`s color scheme was purple and pinks with a coffee theme.  Just who will get it?  It`s a secret until finished.  The picture is of an appliqued tea cozy.