Sunday 6 September 2009

Domestic Goddess... oh yeah!

I've spent the weekend being a Domestic Goddess. Because I have such itchy feet, and a yearning to sort out a new house, and there have been no viewers this weekend, I decided I needed to do something to feel better. So, as there is nothing to do in this house except leave it, I thought making something for the future would be good.

With all the cleaning that has been going on I'd washed the cushion covers in my sitting room, to reduce the odour'd'dog that permeates any ones house that has such a creature lurking around. In so washing them, a couple of them ripped..... so that's what my project would be, shopping, making and then enjoying my labours.

So Thursday found me pouring over fabric, I knew what sort of fabric I wanted, just not what colour. Decision made home I went home jiggity jog......

This has meant that yesterday and today I've almost done nothing else except make cushions by hand. I don't have a sewing machine, and even if I did I wouldn't use it. My memories of Mrs Taylor trying to teach me to use one at school still bring me out in a cold sweat. I was utterly useless at sewing, in fact I was so bad, that back in the day, our school exams were GCSEs and CSEs. The CSEs were for not so bright kids, and if you got grade 1 it was equivalent to a GCSE. In needlework I got grade 5!!!! And you really couldn't get any more stupid than that. In fact I probably got grade 5 cause I showed up, rather than any awful work I did.

What is strange though is the dress I attempted to make, had a skirt to it that is still a firm favourite with me. I love skirts that are fitted on the waist and then the panels flair out, so there is a lot of material in the skirt for twirling in.

But I did learn to sew by hand courtesy of my Mum. And nowadays it's a skill that I'm proud of. One of the things about having a mastectomy, is that I don't generally like the special underwear available, so I buy a lot of the same bra in different colours when I visit America and go to Victoria's Secret, cause they are pretty and do the job of covering me up properly. Then I sew with extremely tiny stitches a pocket on the back so my prosthesis can go in.The material I use is part of an old and soft bed sheet in lilac, which I think if you've got to have a pocket, is as good as it gets.

So placing the fabric out on the floor, Trix decided several times to help by sitting in the middle of it. Unfortunately there is no pic of this cause all it did was make me cross. But she continued to want to help so sat either on the cushions piled on the floor awaiting sewing or on top of my feet whilst I sewed.



The cushions I've made have come in three sorts, deep dark purple corduroy as in the little ones here on my antique Lloyd Loom chair. This is where I sit to have breakfast in the conservatory window. And probably all other meals if I'm alone as it is a good place to sit. And allows me to concentrate on eating and enjoying my food rather than mindlessly sitting in front of the box.



Purple corduroy and lilac silk compliment my Grandmothers garden chairs, that never go in the garden anymore! They are fragile and I live in dread of the bottoms splitting, so the cushions take up so much space that no one will think of sitting on them!!!



And finally to my Great Grandmothers sofa, that when I was a child lived in my Grandma's house in the nursery. Apparently my Dad used to do his courting on it, and it is only luck that I wasn't conceived on it!!! I've owned this sofa now for thirty years. Every move I ever made it's come along. I've had it recovered twice, it really needs doing again, but I don't have a spare £1000 to spend on getting it sorted. So instead it now has a collection of sea green and lilac silk cushions. All of which are placed just so. Problem is it all looks so beautiful in my eyes, will I be able to bring myself to sit on it and make a mess of the cushions!!!!!



So now I've finished being a domestic goddess I've got to get back to being nursemaid, Alex has returned with a tattoo and flu!!! One I can help with and the other just makes me sigh!

All of which means that I'll be eating my roast beef all my myself in amongst my new cushions as he languishes upstairs and I can enjoy looking at them whilst tucking in. As he's not eating, so there's food to spare if you can get round here by 3pm.

14 comments:

speck of dust said...

I love hearing about your very relaxing sounding weekend while my boy screams for half an hour after his nap. He can tattoo himself from head to toe just so long as he stops screaming one day. I'm amazed you made so many cushions by hand. I'm better with the sewing machine but have also chosen to sew by hand and it's a lovely relaxing activity. Love hearing about the history of your precious things too x

Rosaria Williams said...

Some skills always come in handy. Hope your house sells and you get settled somewhere nice.

Picsie Chick said...

Wow, those are some beautiful cushions and they look so good on your treasures! And what an accomplishment to have made them yourself! I simply don't have that skill, or enough patience to get through any sewing project! Yes, I am excellent at knowing the "expert" at any particular skill, and hiring them to do the things I can't. :-D

Dinner sounds lovely, but I don't think I'll get there in time. Hopefully Alex will be well soon.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

Merry ME said...

Sewing by hand? I thought it was a lost art. Certainly lost on you. Beautiful cushions to snuggle up against.

Paula said...

Wow, looks all just great and you are been able to sew by hand is quite something nowadays. So well done. Herewith you receive the Golden Needle. Hugs xxx

Manchester Lass, Now and Then said...

Darn, couldn't make it for 3.00 pm Mandy! What a fantastic job you have done, love the colour of the cushions. Purple was always my favourite colour as a child and yet I cannot remember having anything purple. The sofa looks so inviting and comfy. Hope you have a lovely week Domestic Goddess. Linda xoxo

Lori ann said...

You ARE the Domestic Goddess! I'm so impressed, great job Mandy! your cushions are lovely and the colors just perfect.

I love to sew by hand too even more than the machine (it's the quiet meditative nature of it I think) besides it's just so gratifying. I also have become all too familiar with kids and tatoos.
I hope your son feels better soon.

e said...

I too was a wreck on a sewing machine. It's wonderful that your mum showed you how to sew by hand. Your home and things are beautiful and reflect your generous spirit.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

the pictures of these trees are amazing. I love the woods and nature and these made me want to run to them. Sarah

Mel said...

Oh wow......

I'm not a machine sewer--I never quite got the knack of it.

Yaknow--maybe an adventure in recovering sofa's would enhance your Domestic Goddess-ness!

k.....just sayin'.....LOL

Unknown said...

If 2 comments appear, I am so sorry. I'm having a little trouble with my comments not showing up...

Love the pictures -- your place looks so relaxing.

And you're making me look bad with this sewing... lol...
Hugs,
Sue

Rach said...

I can't sew at all I even struggle with the odd hem or two but they look amazing and perfect for where they are sitting.

Well done you and I hope Alex doesn't stress you out too much..xx

Anonymous said...

Hand-sewing is much more relaxing than struggling with a stuck bobbin and jammed machine. I'm late in commenting but wanted to say how great the cushions, sofa and chairs look.Wonderful when furniture has such a history.

Walker said...

Sounds like you're nesting or is that empty nesting ;)

You sound like an artist clearing the way for a new canvas to paint on