Wednesday 26 January 2022

What’s On Your a Workdesk? Wednesday 660

Change of scenery folks, not to shake things up so much as to display my utter flexibility and diversity of craft skills. Oh, who am I kidding! But rather than show you a pretty untidy but under-utilised desk, I thought you’d like to see my dining table instead.
I’m in the process of altering a few nighties for my Mum. She has tissue-like skin which can no longer tolerate having clothes pulled on over her head, so the lovely gals at the Care Home suggested I buy her some hospital gowns. I can’t, they are too impersonal and institutional. Emily administrator suggested cutting up the back of her nighties and adding some ties. Brilliant. Lovely soft cotton nighties and ties where they won’t throttle or expose! Mum is actually bed-ridden so exposure isn’t really a thing, but I’m pretty sure you understand my thought process here! I’m using her sewing machine too, mine is broken and Mr Dunnit has just been too busy to look at it for me. For years Mum had a big heavy Pfaff machine and I had no idea that she’d changed it at some point until I cleared their house out. It was where it always was, in the white box it was always in and my muscle memory kicked in and I lifted it with some force only to nearly throw it over my shoulder it was so light! This ‘new’ one is a good runner for sure, but you won’t find me replacing zips in jeans with it, it’s not the incredible machine that the Pfaff was!  I’ll be back at the colouring and sticking pretty soon, but not before I’ve uploaded more stamps for sale to the other blog, please have a look at it in a few days to see if there’s anything you might want to add to your collection. 
www.forsakenstash.blogspot.co.uk
Now, as with every Wednesday, please show and tell, seeing what you’re doing and reading about your days is a right old tonic! Please put WOYWW in your post title so those of us who are slow to visit can find you easily! Thanks!

27 comments:

Spyder said...

oh my goodness...that hasn't happened for at least ten years! me first instead of last!
I have my mum's sewing machine and that's hea-vy! I mean, HEAVY! I liked her old treadmill Singer but she pulled it to bits and threw it out! It was nice to see your dining table being used for things other than the norm, but seeing I use the ironing board to craft on, anything goes! Keep on cragting, stay safe!
Happy WOYWW!? ((Lyn)) #1

Helen said...

When we were little Mum had one of those old Singer machines with the treadmill too. altering the nighties for your Mum is a great idea and I totally get you want to preserve her dignity and hospital gowns are just so impersonal! Happy Crafting Helen #4 xx

Sarah Brennan said...

I am sure that the new look nighties will be great for your mum Julia. How apt that you are using her machine for that purpose too. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #5

glitterandglue said...

Morning Julia. Great thought for helping to make your mum comfortable. Well done on getting the sewing machine out - even if you did nearly throw it over your shoulder. .
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #7

Susan Renshaw said...

I still have the family treadle in my hall - it is a Jones. I used it to make many clothes as a teenager and it still works. I moved onto a Pfaff but when this hit the dust I replaced with a lighter model. This may also be on its last legs! What a good idea for your mum's nighties Julia. Problem solved!

Annie said...

Now that feels like home for me today. Lovely to see you’ve been busy with your sewing machine. What a brilliant idea with the nighties too. I’m sure your mum will feel wrapped in love when she wears them.
Biggest hugs,
Annie x

Lynnecrafts said...

Great idea, Julia and much nicer than hospital gowns. It’s a funny image, you whirling a sewing machine over your head but I hope you didn’t hurt yourself.
Is there a moisturising cream you could use, very gently, on your Mum’s skin? Her skin used to get so dry.
Take care and happy WOYWW
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 12

Lunch Lady Jan said...

It’s lovely to see you sewing again, especially for such a purpose…what a good idea to alter the nighties rather than have your mum in hospital gowns. Are you altering your tops as well? Your sewing skills are so good, you should do some,ore!
Hugs LLJ 11 xx

Lynn Holland said...

Well another talent I hadn’t realised you had. We’ve been sewing machine sisters this week, although there’s no way I could do what you’ve done. Your mum will definitely feel more comfortable wearing her adapted nighties.
I also swooped in on your wallpaper, I love it.
Thank you for your encouraging words Julia during this covid episode I’m going through, it helps enormously. Wrote my blog post on Monday and sank like a battle ship with fatigue again yesterday. Slowly, slowly I guess
Lynn xxx

Neet said...

That is so lovely of you to take the time to make your Mum much more comfortable. A good idea to alter her soft nighties rather than buy some hospital ones, I am sure she will be happier wearing the ones you alter. Such a shame she is suffering so with her skin.
I too have my Mum's old Singer and it weighs a ton - guess it is all metal parts inside unlike the oes today that are plastic. Bet my posh one (which I rarely use) doesn't last as long as the old Singer.
Here's to a lovely week ahead.
Hugs, Neet xx 6

Ali Wade Designs said...

Happy WOYWW. Well done for tackling the nightdress alterations. I gave up on sewing a few years ago and sold my machine to a neighbour who makes her own clothes. I had to admit defeat, as making simple bags or cushions was my limit. My mum and younger sister are the 'sewists' in our family, my older sister is a fantastic knitter and I tackle everything else! I still cannot access your sales blog - it just comes up with a message saying that page is not available. Obviously a sign that I should not buy anything for my newly decluttered craft room ! Ali x #14

BJ said...

Yay I was at the sewing last week too. Had to laugh about the weight of the new one. I have a Jenome so it's pretty hefty but can imagine some of the newer ones. Love what you are doing with the nighties for your Mum, so special. Hugs BJ#15

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Everyone needs a change of scene sometimes Lol! I've still got the old machine that I learnt on it was a Jones and belonged to my grandmother though my mother and her sister didn't look after the poor thing very well. I dare not look at the stamps for sale though I might just peek very quickly. PS if I'm late getting round everyone today I'm sorry but we have a guy coming to estimate for new windows. See you all soon. Happy woyww, Angela x16x

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

I'm sure your mum prefers her familiar nighties over the standard issue hospital ones. Good job converting them like that! Hope you're well, just popping in to keep in touch. I really like that colourful pattern in the bottom right corner of your photo - I thought it was the carpet, but on closer inspection, it looks like the upholstery on the chair. Take care, Julia xx zsuzsa #17

Kyla said...

Yep you are multi talented and a brilliant idea to alter your mums nighties, something familiar and now more useable is a brilliant idea.
Kyla #18

Diana Taylor said...

Well you took me back - I remember doing exactly the same for my mum when she was in her nursing home - there was nothing suitable in the shops at all. I am sure you're mum will feel so much more comfortable, and I'm sure yours will be a whole lot neater than mine - dressmaking and alterations have never been my thing!
Hope you have a lovely week,
Diana xx #18

Christine said...

Brilliant idea! Well done. As you can see from my post, I am into recycling.
Keep up the good work
Christine #20

Crafting With Jack said...

I am sure dressing and undressing will be so much easier for your mother now. It feels good to do something for our family, although I have to admit I was not too pleased about being asked to look after my great niece today. The child minder has Covid. Luckily we were saved by Faye’s mother in law taking time off work and stepping in. Analia has got to the crawling stage and is in to everything she can get hold of. She is not overly heavy, but I can’t lift her, which is a definite disadvantage if looking after her. I wish you success with your stamp downsizing. Angela #2

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Great to see your post, and hugs for what you are doing, My machine is rarely used for necessary things, only crafty stitches and then the NEWness has not yet been learned. I am working on posting. into 3 hr I updated my Chrome and now EVERY TIME I use this I need PASSWORDS to get in sends things to my phone to verify IT'S ME. I'VE headache and my day hasn't even started. with temps -20 I can't even escape. Off to make attempts

Kelly said...

Good morning, Miss Julia! Happy New Year!
Bob was home over the beginning of the new year so I'm a bit behind getting back here. Sincerest apologies.
What a neat idea for your mum. Sorry to hear she is in this stage of her life but she has a loving daughter.
Different 'desks' must be the theme this week as you'll see on mine. Hugs & Creative Blessings!

Stacy Sheldon said...

ooh that is so what a great idea that you can fix those gowns for your mama Julia. ( I tried the link for the sale but, it says it does not exist) I will re-read everything again later when there is some quiet time at work today.
~Stacy

Lindart said...

HI Julia! How nice of you to do that for your mother! Glad you found the sewing machine! Yes, picking up something you thought was heavy is like walking down the stairs expecting one more step! I have a very heavy sewing machine that I got when I was a teenager, and it still works! Have a great week, Lindart #27

Catriona said...

What a lovely idea to alter the nighties for your Mum and keep her looking lovely. I have fallen out severely with my overlocker today as I can’t get the thread right-grrr. Happy crafting.

Elizabeth said...

Hi Julia, the cauliflower cheese soup was delicious and liked by all. Original recipe, BBC, tweaked by yours truly. Adapting the nighties are a great idea which will make getting changed a simpler process for your mother. I laughed at your story of lifting the sewing machine. Modern machines are so much lighter than the older ones -: the difference between metal bodywork and plastic makes all the difference. There's something wrong with your link ... probably no bad thing as my birthday pennies are all spent up. Have a good week. Hugs, Elizabeth x #28

Lindart said...

HI again Julia! I'm pretty sure the gelli plate I was using was of inferior quality, not that I used it too much! It was a cheap plate bought on sale at Michael's, and I didn't know any better. Hopefully my new ones will last! Thanks for your lovely comment! Lindart #27

StampinCarol said...

I have my mom's machine, too. It's a beautiful Husqvarna Viking. I had it cleaned at the shop and it works like a charm. But it is kinda heavy but that's ok.
Hope your weekend it going wonderful!
Carol N #21

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Beautiful idea Julia to make Mom;s gowns to suit her every need, she will be so touched that you are using her machine for the job even if it's not the one you remembered. We have to do all we can to make sure they are comfortable each and every day. Hope you and yours are keeping well Hugs Tracey x