Santa's Helper?

Some quilters get rather bent out of shape when asked to mend something for someone, and I admit to having acted this way a time or two. However, in the days following Christmas, when my sister asked if there was a way to repair a stocking, I was totally in "yes, I can" mode. 

I've spent so little time in the quilting room these last few weeks, that an easy, almost mindless mending job suited me to a tee.

The stocking in question is this 35-year-old panel stocking that my sister stitched together for her daughter (my niece) Abby. 

Now, this is a special stocking, let me tell you. Not only is Abby a very special daughter and niece, the fact that Sandy (my sister) actually sat at a sewing machine to make this takes it to a whole new level of special. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen her sewing, that's how rarely it as occurred.

Take a look at the toe of the stocking - at some point however many years ago, it was hung too close to a roaring fire, and the tip got singed. It was still all attached, but it looked unsightly and it was very precarious for any amount of weight dropped into that stocking would have surely ripped it wide open.

I put on my Santa's Helper hat and spent a very relaxing hour or so breathing new life into this stocking. And I think I did okay. I couldn't exactly match the fabrics, but my stash of Christmas fabrics contained one that suited the job.

I used a seam ripper to take apart the entire toe end of the stocking. Then I cut away the really tattered, burned parts. I traced a rough pattern onto my replacement fabric, then 'eyeballed' the placement enough to cover the toe.

After finishing both sides, it seemed that I really should quilt the fabric so that the new stuff was attached to the original. I grabbed a little ruler and drew out a grid on which to make my quilting stitches.

This side of the stocking had more burned areas, so it needed a larger patch than the other. It looks passable, with the front and back stitched back together. I sure don't want anyone judging it, but for the few days per year that it will be displayed and used, it will suffice. 

A humble little stocking needed a humble little repair. And now it is good for another 35 years, right? Just don't hang it too close to a roaring fire!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

What? More Mending?

Short and sweet today, Peeps! I'm meeting the Frankfort girls at Bob Evans for brunch! I will have a neat-o project to tell you about; we 5 are doing it together.

In other news, I got the go-ahead from my surgeon to sew! Yippee!

So, the first thing I do?? Mend 2 pairs of DS's shorts. Both were really badly ripped in the seat. (Sorry about the odd-looking color; night shots in dining room lighting.)

Both pairs of shorts are very, very worn and threadbare. And as you can see, I didn't take particular care in selecting my thread color. You know what? DS is a guy who just doesn't care. He will wear anything. He finds used clothes at the thrift shop and pairs the oddest things together, so I know he will have no problem whatsoever with this strange-looking job of mending.

Okay, so the next thing I work on will be a bona fide quilting project! Stay tuned!

Happy Quilting, Friends!
Jayne

Finishing Up Old Business

That month of December really did a number on me! As you know, I did very little, but I want to tell you about one of the few things I did accomplish. I think you will like this.

Let me take you back to Christmas of 2012. Instead of exchanging gifts, my sister floated the idea of each of us submitting a coupon for a service that the giver would honor at some point in the coming year. Everyone could participate - from the kids to Grandma - and anyone who opted out, well, that was fine, too.

My entry was a coupon for a bag of mending. My DH offered up a day of yard work. DD2 offered free babysitting. So, whatever talent we could offer, that went into the mix. It was lots of fun.

After all the coupons were collected and mixed up in a basket, we each drew a number. There were about 24 or so participating, so whoever had drawn #1 selected the first coupon. Then #2 drew, and could keep what he/she drew or steal the coupon from #1. So we continued drawing all the coupons, stealing along the way, until everyone was satisfied.

My sister-in-law Beth ended up with my mending coupon. She brought her bag of mending to me in September. She took it easy on me! Only 2 pairs of blue jeans - one ripped in the seat, the other ripped around a rear pocket. Also in the bag was a pillow that I had made and given them perhaps 25 years ago! It was threadbare and pulling apart at the seams.

Alas, I didn't think to take a before picture, but have a look at the after.

Back in the 80s, I was more into counted cross stitch than quilting, and I made quite a few of these initial pillows. The original had a navy and white plaid border and back, and lots of ruffles. The center panel is showing minimal wear, with most of the wear in the seams because my brother Alan had been folding it in half and using it for support of his lower back. (A family thing - these lower back issues!) So I removed everything from the center panel, added a new border and backing, and inserted a fresh new pillow form. My daughter said that ruffles were not in style anymore, so I took the easy way out, and just stitched it right up. To give additional support of that center panel, I ironed on a medium weight interfacing. It should survive another 25 years!

In an effort to keep my brother and his lower back happy, I covered the old pillow form with a sturdy cotton, and delivered it back to him.

I returned the bag of mending on Christmas Day, 2013, one year after the coupon was given. I think Beth was happy with the return. Getting 2 pillows out of one is a definite bargain, and I think I did a decent job on those jeans. Hoping they will get some use out of them in the coming year!

We did not repeat the coupon exchange this Christmas, but I think we will do it again on some future Christmas. Giving of oneself is so much more personal and rewarding than just throwing a gift into a bag. Mending is one of my least favorite things, but knowing that I was gifting for Christmas - even 12 months later - made it entirely more palatable!

Has your family ever done something similar to this? I would love to hear about it if you have.

Happy Quilting, Friends!