In July of 2009, I bought myself a new sewing machine. My Singer, that I’d gotten as a high school graduation gift, needed frequent, costly repairs.The Husquavara that was my mother’s, a first generation computerized sewing machine, was prone to problems. I had just come out of a very stressful time at work (or so I thought), and envisioned my newly freed time in the evenings and weekends, sewing along; table runners and other home products, and a myriad of cotton skirts for the summer, to match the cardigans and other tops that I would knit.
Let’s just say it didn’t turn out that way.
Fast forward to May 2011. No more work, less stress and a lot of free time. The time was right to open the box with the new sewing machine. 
It was also time to look through the storage box full of sewing notions and other supplies that I’d moved from house to house over the last 20-30 years. 
What surprises the box held!
There were sewing supplies that were ancient – note the tracing paper from JC Penney, and shoulder pads – 
in addition to finished needlework that had never been framed. 
And thread - lots of it. 
There were even some old patterns that were salvageable. 
I was pleasantly surprised that I could make the apron pattern for which I’d recently purchased fabric, without having to buy anything but thread. Yes, I needed the new spool design for the new machine. 
First, I experimented with the new machine on some old material. 
A couple of weeks then passed, and yesterday, I awoke to a gray day and decided that the time had come to get sewing and make that apron! It was great. Everything came back to me very quickly, and the machine itself performed beautifully. I arranged my office for sewing, working my way around all of the yarn, and created a nice work space. Having the dedicated space made it all feel right. By dinner time, I had my nice, new apron to wear. 
Now I look forward to steamy hot summer days, when I will hibernate inside with the A/C on and just sew.
Next in the sewing queue are: a pair of summer pajamas; a skirt; and a couple of table runners. Oh, and there will be knitting, too!
