Sewing thread

My mother has spent many hours of her life sewing. When we were children she would make clothing for us. Her favorite thing to do was to use different applique patterns. She would sew outfits for my sisters and me that would be different colors, but would have the same applique patterns on them. Once we were older and no longer wanted to dress alike my mother started using the applique patterns to make quilts.

She started using simple applique patterns on the first quilts she made. As she began quilting more she began using more elaborate applique patterns. Her quilts were works of art. We encouraged her to enter one of the quilts in the local county fair. At first she was reluctant to do this, but she eventually entered the quilt for judging. The judges were so impressed with the detailed applique patterns that she was award the grand champion ribbon. This meant that she also would display the quilt at the state fair.

My mom was very excited about making the trip to the state fair. This fair draws close to a million people during the ten days that it is opened. Mom had to bring her quilt to the fair the day before the exhibits opened so it could be judged. The judging at the state level involves being interviewed by the judges about the specific project, as well as quilting in general. My mother was quite nerves about this because she knew that many of the other entrants were professional quilters. Mom thought the interview went well. She was not told how her quilt would be ranked because this was done once all the quilters were interviewed.

We went back to the fair for the opening day. We were looking at all of the beautiful quilts that were entered for judging. They were displayed in many different ways. Some were hanging others were folded or draped. We could not find the one my mother had completed. We were about to ask for help when my dad spotted the quilt. It was placed in a glass case that was reserved for the grand champions. My mother could not believe that she had one another champion ribbon.

This was the first of many quilts that my mother has won ribbons for. Since that first entry she is considered one of the finest quilters in the state specializing in applique patterns. She has also had some national exposure with her quilting. This recognition has truly given her added self esteem and confidence that she carries to all areas of her life. It is amazing how cutting out applique patterns can change a person’s life.

I have had the good fortune to be able to cut back on the number of hours I work away from the home. The added time has allowed me to pursue hobbies that I have been interested in. One of the things that I used to enjoy doing was sewing. I have sewed clothing, made quilts and also did some needlework projects. I made a trip to the local fabric and crafts store to purchase supplies.

I had not been involved in sewing for a number of years. Seeing all the supplies and different projects was very exciting. I had a sewing machine, but all my other supplies I had discarded through the years. First I went to the needlework section and picked out a pillow project. The store offered the option of buying a kit that had the fabric and sewing thread included, but I did not care for the colors. I took the instruction sheets and started picking out the sewing thread that I would need to complete the pillow. The design was of a flower garden so this required several different colors of thread. I was amazed at the varieties of sewing thread that are now available. It is no longer just the cotton thread that I had worked with in the past. I was able to find silk sewing thread as well as a textured thread that would raise some of the flowers above the rest. The textured sewing thread provides another dimension to the project. I did need to purchase special needles with larger eyes for the use of this textured thread. I chose a light green fabric for the pillow and multiple colors for the hand sewn flowers. The design is transferred to the fabric with an iron.

I decided to pick up some other basic supplies while I was in the store. I needed multi purpose sewing thread for the sewing machine as well as stick pins and a measuring tape. I had given away my sewing basket years ago so I needed to purchase one. There was a wide variety to choose from. There were also containers to keep your sewing thread separated for hand projects so I purchased one of them along with a small hand scissors and small carrying bag. This would allow me to take my project neatly from one area of the house to another as I was working on it.

When the sales clerk added up my purchases I could not believe the total. I had been choosing sewing thread in many colors and textures and had not bothered to consider the amount of money it would all add up to. I left the store hoping that I would be able to complete several projects with the sewing thread and other supplies I had purchased. Now I now why decorative pillows are so expensive to buy, the supplies are very expensive.

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