Stressful Sewing

I haven’t been completely monogamous to the quilt. I sewed last weekend. A not completely satisfactory experience in itself. I was going to make a boppee (for the uninitiated, a boppee is a horseshoe shape pillow a new mother uses for a multitude of purposes with a newborn) cover for the Grandbebe Trois Mama.

Oh. Mah. Gah. It was crazy.

First. I totally wasted the first one I cut out of the cutest lady bug fabric. A tad too small. Then I totally overcompensated on making the 2nd one way too big. So then I went to Target. Decided after 2 pieces of fabric (on hand from Wisest Sister...not really bought) and about 3 hours of time, that maybe the 10$ out of pocket wasn't so much. Bought one with the idea that I could take it back, because looking at the boppees Target sold, they didn't look like the one I picked up…re-sourced…as it were. Got to thinking maybe I had a bootleg boppee. When I got home, I saw I indeed had a 'labeled' boppee, but still carefully opened the cover, to try it, just in case...you know…if it had to go back. It fit. Compared that one to my homemade one, and made adjustments.

Sewed. Tried on. Trimmed.

Sewed. Tried on. Trimmed.

Sewed. Tried on. Repeated until it worked.

Which I eventually achieved.

Then had to decide on the closure. Used velcro circles I had on hand that are selfsticky, with the idea to sew to reinforce their permanent adherence. Well the self sticky gums up the needle and when my thread broke (which it does, because it’s Velcro), the needle eye was gummed up with the adhesive! and I couldn't get the needle re-threaded. Even after cleaning with nail polish remover (believe me, I tried) I left the Velcro circles just stuck. If it all comes apart...she can through it away! I am giving her the store bought one, too, anyway. This homemade one is just a 'didn't know what to do with a horseshoe shaped pillow case anyway' gift.

How can things like this be so hard?
It’s like the fabric knew I’ve been a bit off…of course, it wasn’t the singing Singer’s fault.

So the bebe shower was yesterday, and of course, bebe mama just loved it.

And there I sat, thinking, here I am...with absolutely nothing hand knit.