Dusting Off My Sewing Skills

Ever since my hand injury four years ago, I put my sewing machine away. It physically hurt to go through the various stages of garment construction, between the scissors hitting my damaged thumb joint, and the tennis elbow that still plagues me today. Then there was the mental hurt that I was no longer able to do something I've enjoyed since I was 12 years old.

Luckily, I found something else I'm good at - and enjoy immensely. I've been narrowly focused on beadwork, and after my last project, my brain is tired! My last sewing project was a handbag I made from a Sweetbriar Studio pattern. After so many years of service, the bag is pretty sad looking now. Time to make another!

I already had this pattern on my shelf, and my studio closet is full of cotton fabrics in a variety of colors and shibori patterns. Sounds like a project-in-the-making, right? Yes indeedy. I took my time making the bag, which was a novelty for me. I used to sew under deadlines: rush, rush rush...

I love the way the bag turned out. The pattern called for a single patch pocket inside, which was to be divided into two tall and skinny pockets. But I have obsessive tendencies - I need MORE POCKETS! I added three more, and now everything is in it's own place. Perfect!

Nice to know I still have some skills, though they are a bit rusty.