So I finally did it. I quit procrastinating and tackled the pile of laundry in my mending basket. We counted and found 23 articles of clothing in there.
Now there is far less. Here’s a brief account:
- About 5 items were actually pieces of fabric that rightly belonged in the fabric container rather than the mending basket.
- 1 was a skirt that had mysteriously disappeared and was not in need of mending.
Now we’re down to 17. That’s a little better. I sorted what remained into two piles: one for repairs, and one for remodels. Today, I did the repairs.
Please ignore the fact that I am wearing no makeup, a goofy grin, and had a total of 9 hours of sleep in the last 2 days. While you’re at it, also ignore the folding chair, socks, diaper…In fact, could you just look at the clothes I’m holding? Thanks.
From left to right, on my arm:
- Shortened the straps on a very cute little swim dress for Rachael or Becca. They wear this over a regular swimsuit.
- Sewed the buttons shut on a cute & comfy maternity shirt so it won’t gap open. No, I’m not pregnant. Yet.
- Stitched up a rip on Natalie’s old favorite around-the-house dress.
- Took in the unravelling side seams on a very cute hand-me-down skirt from Grandma. Deanna and I will share this.
- Hand-stitched a falling hem on a skirt of mine.
- Sewed shut the buttons on a skirt so they won’t keep popping open. Left the top 4 open so I can still get into it.
In my hand:
- Gathered and stitched down a loose part of a darling ruffled tiered denim skirt. The girls talked me into buying this from a thrift store long ago in spite of the fact that it needed repair because it was cheap and adorable.
- Repaired a hole in Megan’s old denim skirt. First I zigzagged around the edge of the hole to keep it from unraveling, then I cut a heart out of an old scrap of denim and appliqued it over the hole. Cute, huh?
Not shown:
I took the plunge and put a zipper pocket in my comfy old black zip-up fleece jacket. I had salvaged the pockets from hubby’s old navy blue before tossing it long ago, but while I procrastinated one pocket disappeared. Today I got brave and tackled the project. I’ve never done anything like this, but it seemed simple enough. Fleece doesn’t unravel so all I had to do, theoretically, was stitch the whole pocket in place, zipper and all, and cut a hole in my jacket to access it.
Actually, it was a lot harder than I expected, but I did it. Yay for me! Now there’s just 8 pieces to go. But these are harder – old dresses and shirts to be made into new skirts, big skirts to be cut down into little skirts, etc.
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You are beautiful.
I have enjoyed visiting your blog today! I get talked into buying new skirts for my girls all of the time. It’s a bummer when one gets a hole. I have the most difficult time with the slit that goes up the back of my skirts. I always end up ripping it, and then it’s a nightmare to sew it back up. I end up with wierd tucks. any advice?
Blessings,
Ali
http://www.mygodgivenmissionfield.com
Good for you! My husband, manly man that he is, is actually our resident mender! And, he tackled the pile of shirts with missing buttons, stuffed animals with holes, etc. last weekend. Must be in the air!
Good for you! I totally need to do this. I don’t know if I wanna count what need done. That might discourage me. Maybe after they are done.
I love how you said I am not pregnant “YET” Does that mean your thinking about it?
I am so impressed you tackled the mending. I have to admit, I actually moved last time with a box of mending that I hadn’t done, and I still haven’t done it three years later! I can’t even remember what all is in there.
P.S. I gave you a blog award, go check it out on my blog!
maryjo,
I said “yet” because we take ‘em as they come.
It seems likely that I’ll be pregnant again at some point, though I try not to take it for granted. It’s a miracle every time!
I SO wish that I knew how to mend and sew. It would save throwing out pretty clothes that need fixing.
hi kim
could you take a pic of the swimdress over the swimsuit like you mentioned? i am always searching for a modest yet not “weird” look for my girls. i’d love to see what you have come up with
As impressed as I am by your mending, I was just jealous of your bare feet. I live in Michigan, and it keeps being below zero here day after day after day….
tami,
Will do. It’s not something we made. I think it was designed as a swimsuit coverup, i.e. something to wear when you’re out of the water. But we think it’s very cute, and the fabric is lightweight and doesn’t hold water so it’s comfy in the water as well.
Lois,
Our winter weather is very up and down. Some nights and rare days are below freezing but the cold never lasts long. I love south Texas. If it’s not 70 today, just wait a few days.
Wow — I’m impressed! My girls generally outgrow their clothes before I ever get them mended! It is one of my worst tasks!!!
go see my blog- i have an award for you!
I did this last week. Mended 4 dresses, buttons missing and a seam rip. One needed the lace reattached. I still have a WHOLE bunch more…ugh.
I was impressed by all that mending! Loved how you ‘found’ stuff in the mending basket like bits of fabric. Such a satisfying job to get done.
And thank you for the nudge. It’s time for an update. I’ll post about it.