Tuesday, May 17, 2011

stitching beneath the trees

sewing under the trees
Sewing beneath the white pines was one of the many gifts that last week's warm weather brought. I worked on some small projects to get comfortable with my Featherweight and set up a makeshift station on the deck. Even though the electrical outlet to my left was what made it possible to run the machine,  I felt totally unplugged. Being outside with an old black Singer transported me back a couple of decades. In college, I saved up for  1920's/30's hand cranked Singer that looked just like this one. (Beautiful, huh?!- I miss her so much.) I would sit under a bottle brush tree in my Santa Cruz backyard and make little velvet pouches. Cranking with one hand and guiding with the other. Not very quick sewing... but at nineteen I had all the time in the world.
outdoor sewing
Sitting out here helped me to relive those carefree days, if even for a moment.  I'm on a deadline, so the reality was that for every one hour of studio time I rewarded myself with 15 minutes deck time.
outtake
But hey, those 15 minutes added up to pure bliss. Sometimes a little recharge is all it takes! Pin It

25 comments:

  1. Aw, that looks amazing - what a perfect place for some stitching!

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  2. Wow, fun post! I love your 15-minutes-of-sewing-bliss deck station! And I didn't know you lived in Santa Cruz. We came here from there 5 1/2 years ago. My husband did his PhD there and both my babies were born there. Great place!

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  3. What a great place to sew. Right now my machine is set up at our kitchen table which is right by the back door. On sunny days I love to fling the door open and pretend I'm outside.

    Glad to see you are enjoying the process.

    xo

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  4. I like this:
    "Not very quick sewing... but at nineteen I had all the time in the world."

    I like your sewing deck.

    Jody

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  5. your outdoor sewing space looks beautiful!

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  6. Sewing outside sounds wonderful! I have my great-grandmother's old sewing machine that looks exactly like the one you have. I also have a much more modern machine. My great-grandmother's machine used to be a treddle machine prior to her making it electric. I really wish it was still a treddle machine. My great grandmother would have been over 100 if she were alive today! I may need to try sewing outside!

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  7. Lovely! I gasped when I saw your machine - my husband gave me the same one for mother's day last weekend - the stitch length/reverse feature is a little different (mine is round) and my light is on the back but apart from that! Isn't it beautiful to sew with - I just love it and have spend the last week sewing, sewing, sewing - inside though, it's a cold, grey and wet autumn here at the moment. Enjoy your beautiful featherweight and the pleasure of sewing outside.

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  8. It's lovely to see you using your featherweight machine. I have the same model & I take it with me when we go on holiday- ( my husband takes his guitar) & I often sit outside & sew. It is absolute bliss!

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  9. I love this post!

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  10. This made me happy today, thank you.

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  11. Beautiful! That's almost exactly like my machine except mine is a treadle-run. I can't move to the porch but it's in front of a large window.

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  12. What a wonderful way to treat yourself during the day.

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  13. oh so envious of your being able to go outside and sew! and of that beautiful machine!!! we have had nothing but rain here, and i do mean nothing but... and it is only going to keep raining for the rest of the week. i can only imagine sun at this point, ha haha! have a wonderful wednesday!

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  14. Oh yes, we're having the rain here too. Day after day! The sewing deck is all packed up at the moment, but the sun will shine for all of us soon!

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  15. I took some hand quilting work out on my front porch the other day...it was awesome! Felt like I could quilt all day long. Enjoy the sunshine...it's been raining all week here.

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  16. i was thinking the same thing: how can Maya be in the same state as me, but it doesn't look like it's raining there??? ;n)
    actually the rain is good for getting things done, but as soon as it dries out i want to bring my machine out onto the deck! of course the chickens will be very interested in that...
    see you in TWO WEEKS!!!

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  17. My face just lit up when I saw this post! Yea! And you brought the "old girl" outside too... why not! They are so portable you can sew almost anywhere... and that is a lovely spot. If I had that sweet deck and view, I'd set up shop there too!

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  18. what a beautiful setting!
    unfortunately i'm so easily distracted that these 15 minutes might turn into 1 or 2 hours. but generally i think you've got a great idea there!

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  19. It looks so freeing and peaceful M.
    Makes me want to go outside right now!

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  20. What a great place to sew. What an AWESOME sewing machine!! :)

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  21. Old sewing machines are beautiful as well as functional - I love them!

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  22. That sounds like a simply perfect way to be creative while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine!

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  23. What a gorgeous setting for creative inspiration.

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