To do list:
1) Disregard all notes to self.
2) Try and stay humble if you can.
We had our first meeting on February 5, the "Founders" meeting. We discussed our mission, how often we're going to meet, how we're gonna jump new people in, and whether or not we really have to do our homework.
All of this planning was a good thing because if this club is going to go viral, we need to prepare for the aftermath.
Here's the deal. I really wanted to learn how to sew but more than that, I really just wanted to own a cool sewing machine and buy neat fabrics. And pick out patterns from a book and search for them in a quasi-card catalog system.
My incredible parents got me a great sewing machine for Christmas and I swear I didn't see it several weeks prior to Christmas when I was changing my daughter's diaper in the back of my Dad's Tahoe in a parking lot.
They also gave me a coupon for Jo-Ann's and some cash to go get all the stuff I needed to accompany my machine but the coupon expired and I spent the cash in Costa Rica. Have no fear. I found another coupon online for a competing store that was 40% off of one regular priced item so I went there and got my expensive cutting mat, checked out by holding my phone in the air with my coupon showing, and put it in the car. Then, I went back in the store and got really nice scissors and went to the check out, waved my phone in the air, and put my scissors in the car. And then I went back in again to get my fabrics, patterns, and a measuring tape. You get the story.
I bought a tomato and some straight pins, too. I was ready!
I have a really amazing friend who is not only wonderful to be around, but also knows how to actually sew. Her name is Beth and she offered to teach me. My hilarious friend Kara, who I've known for more than twenty years and love dearly also had a machine that she didn't know how to use. Originally, we were just going to have a glass of wine while Beth showed us how to turn on our machines but then we realized how much more badass it could be and a club was born.
And a badass logo was designed by Matt Callahan because every rad sewing club has their own logo. Don't worry, you'll be able to get some swag in our online store coming soon.
As with any club, it's important to have an agenda for club meetings. And it's important that the first item on the agenda is to set up the bar.
Kara's machine was her mother's machine and she was so excited to finally get to learn how to use it. It was an important and happy moment for her and I was glad to be a part of it.
Sweet Beth with her infinite patience had to read our manuals and then show us how to use our machines because we didn't know the language in the manuals. Now I know what a boot, a bobbin, and a foot is and I also know that sewing machines have come a really long way.
We had a lot of questions as you might imagine. For example, Kara needed to know why you have to have two strands of thread going at one time but wasn't happy with Beth's answer that "it grabs it." Finally Beth reminded her that she was not a scientist, she was a seamstress. Her answer was accepted.
In my 40% off plight, I forgot to get thread, so I had to go easy on Beth's spool. Kara forgot thread, too. We're awesome students. I mean club members.
Behold my first project. I sewed straight lines and zig zags while learning that my glass of wine should be on the right side of the machine and not the left. I'm definitely ready for placemats.
