Tuesday, 9 February 2016

Oh you sew, don't you?

Hello! Is it just me or does the phrase "oh, you sew, don't you?" bring you out in a cold sweat? It's usually followed hard with the likes of "could you look at this zip?" "Can you hem this for me?" "Would you mind..."

Normally I am prepared for such occasions, and deftly supply the name and number for a local alterations company!

This time however, I was caught on the hop at my daughter's preschool. Could I knock up a little bit of bunting for them? The fabric was deposited into my arms before I had a chance to say anything. And would I turn it around in four days, please, as they were having a party Monday?

Over twelve metres of tediun!
I have never cursed the making of anything more in my life, probably because I was rather ill and the process seemed to last forever! Also I got a text message asking that, for the party, the children dress as bees! Black and yellow theme, see. Somehow I managed a hurried bee T-shirt as well.

Ill and exhausted seamstress.
All done, and finished by the skin of my teeth. Phew.


Of course, by the end of the day she was filthy! I am glad I did it, and pleased to give the preschool something nice, but I am certain that I will say no next time!

How about you? Do you enjoy altruistic sewing?
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32 comments:

  1. Anonymous9 February 2016 at 22:28

    It was good of you to make the bunting. In a fabric shop, I was asked to make a coat by the sales assistant for herself! I politely declined. I make gifts for family and friends and enjoy doing this.

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    1. Unknown10 February 2016 at 11:43

      Yes gifts for friends and family are fun to do aren't they. Glad you declined to make the coat!

      Delete
  2. Hanrahan9 February 2016 at 23:54

    As someone who has recently been embroidering little symbols on to tiny towels for my daughter's preschool I completely understand! Love the bee t-shirt!

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    1. Unknown10 February 2016 at 11:44

      Ha ha, yes I guess its best to keep it secret that you sew!

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  3. Melissa10 February 2016 at 07:58

    Oh dear, it's too bad the timing was so off. The last minute, the fact you weren't feeling well. You can give yourself a big pat on the back (and some chocolates if you will) for having finished the bunting and the cute little tee shirt! Hope you feel better soon.

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    1. Unknown10 February 2016 at 11:45

      Thank you I am feeling better, and I do feel rather proud of myself for getting it done despite feeling lousy.

      Delete
  4. Stargazun10 February 2016 at 08:12

    I feel your pain. I don't mind making stuff for people who rarely ask or when I choose to make something but I hate having the pressure of making other people's projects. I have more ideas of stuff to make than I have time for as it is without doing everyone else's projects! Lol

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    1. Unknown10 February 2016 at 11:46

      Exactly! I have a wish list of projects as long as my arm.

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  5. Ruth - Nightingale and Dolittle10 February 2016 at 11:34

    Oh dear! I don't envy you having to sew something you didn't want to do when you were ill! I've made many, many metres of bunting, and a few other random things for various people - I don't mind it as long as it's interspersed with pretty dresses for me. I did decline when my hairdresser asked me to make him some trousers though!

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  6. Unknown10 February 2016 at 11:47

    At least it was easy. Not much to go wrong with triangles and a bit of ribbon!

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  7. Alison10 February 2016 at 11:51

    That is exactly why I set up my business, now when folk start saying 'you sew...' I jump in and say, yes, I have an alterations etc. business and give them my card :) Your bunting does look fab, a nice gift to the preschool!

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  8. Helen10 February 2016 at 12:01

    Well done you, but I agree, it's not the best. It's particularly annoying that people don't (or choose not to) recognise that sewing takes time!!! I've not been asked much p, but when I do, that person rarely asks again, as most likely their item will sit in my pile for months, because I always prefer to see what *I* want!

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  9. cloth scissors thread10 February 2016 at 14:38

    oh that sounds so familiar! I made the mistake of asking what my daughter's angel costume should look like (age 5). That year I made all the angels, Mary, Joseph and Angel Gabriel and every subsequent year was invited to staff meetings on the nativity as costume designer and maker until she left for secondary school. Beware, one small sewing deed leads to insane sewing schedule!

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  10. Kristy Chan10 February 2016 at 23:40

    Oh I feel your pain. I made about 80m of bunting for my daughter's school fair last year, but over a few weeks not super quick like you did! At least I know they are using it again this year, but in general I never offer or agree to many sewing requests

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    1. Unknown16 February 2016 at 01:53

      80 metres! My word that is a lot of bunting!

      Delete
  11. Sarah Liz11 February 2016 at 21:39

    Oh no, I would have hated to be in your shoes - and not well. I guess sometimes if you have children, you feel you should also do these things. Very difficult. I'm glad your daughter enjoyed herself, and I do hope you feel better soon.

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  12. Unknown14 February 2016 at 07:53

    Errr, a tight timeline for something is always a bummer. But it turned out adorable. :)

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  13. Caroline14 February 2016 at 11:19

    Well done for going the extra bunting mile! I am sure it was appreciated by all the staff / students alike!

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    1. Unknown16 February 2016 at 01:58

      Oh yes they were very grateful, and it did make the garden look good.

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  14. Jo15 February 2016 at 15:42

    "could you look at this zip?" haha oh yes, heard that one before! Well done for soldiering on when you felt lousy. 12 metres of bunting is impressive! It's difficult to say no to things like that when you're caught off guard.

    P.S. I updated my blog post - hadn't realised I forgot to mention the pattern I used. Doh! It's Pauline Alice's Turia dungarees and you could definitely rock a pair ;) If shorts aren't your thing the trouser version looks pretty funky too.

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    1. Unknown16 February 2016 at 02:00

      Ah I wondered if they were the Pauline Alice ones.

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  15. Carolyn15 February 2016 at 21:33

    Oh dear, yes I've done more than my fair share of volunteer sewing too! Not so fun, but necessary. My biggest one was 30 Abba style outfits for a dance recital. I set up a production line, doing each step 30 times rather than making 30 finished items in a row, and it was less painful that way.

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  16. Unknown16 February 2016 at 02:00

    Thirty Abba costumes, that is above and beyond. Well done.

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  17. Jo18 February 2016 at 00:52

    I always have an excuse up my sleeve but I like to do things for people who do things for me - sadly it is the people who do nothing for me that are the ones who ask! Funny that.... Well done you will have good Karma all week. Jo x

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  18. Fabrickated21 February 2016 at 10:54

    I am not sure I would have agreed to that. I think it probably is alot more work than you admit. But the B shirt is adorable, and the face paint. I bet they all had a lovely day and hopefully the bunting can be reused and each time they will thank you for your kindness and fortitude!!

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  19. Fabrickated21 February 2016 at 10:54

    I am not sure I would have agreed to that. I think it probably is alot more work than you admit. But the B shirt is adorable, and the face paint. I bet they all had a lovely day and hopefully the bunting can be reused and each time they will thank you for your kindness and fortitude!!

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