The lining, my first step, is coming together. After a short time of cursing, blaming my mother for my lack of ability and sitting with my arms crossed, I settled my foot onto the peddle and shut up. Funny how things come together when that happens.
You see, I am left-handed. Usually, this is not a problem. Usually, I can mimic behavior being taught to my like I am their mirror. I reverse without thinking. I know to always sit at the left corner of the table so that I won't bash anyone during dinner. I know that my paper must be turned completely sideways if I want to write in any kind of straight line. (And don't give me that "All lines are straight" remark.)
However, there are some skills that I cannot mirror. Sitting in front of a right-handed sewing machine or using a right-handed pottery wheel, you are forced to be a new kind of left-handed. But now I'm too committed. I've spent to many years sitting at Mom's righty sewing machine to make the switch, even though Lefty's would be happy to sell me all of my lefty supplies.
When it comes to my sewing, this means pinning fabric together in the direction that feels backwards to me, so that they can be easily removed as the fabric is pulled forward. This means still not being able to easily remove the pins, because I put my hand in front of everything I need to see, which then means I take my foot off of the peddle and stop the needle in order to remove a pin. It sounds like your great-grandmother driving a car.
This means that I curse. A lot. I mumble under my breath. This means that when I put in those two finishing back-stitches and see that finished seem, there are all kinds of glory-giving and rejoicing because I DID it, damnit.
In an effort to increase skill and decrease stress, I'm looking into lefty sewing tips. (If you have them, please share.) I could kiss Susan Cowan, whose cover illustrations look more 1950 than 1994. It seems like she's got it covered... hopefully I can find a lot of that content on Web sites until I can get the book.
With 96 illustrations, what more could I need? 96 illustrations that I do not have to reverse in my head like that horrible knitting diagram book that I tried once and hid from myself to prevent a dark depression. Hopefully, CyberSeams will be able to get me back in my seat on the knitting train again.
2 comments:
If you need any sewing/pattern help give me a yell! Looks like you are doing well though! I hate the instructions that come with patterns (ask any profession...we all think they suck) and can give you some easier ways of doing things if you ever need them ;) Can't wait to see you next weekend!!!
I just saw this. Thanks so much! I'd love to talk to you about it sometime :)
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