A "Sew" Pretty Project and Tutorial.....

"If I stitch fast enough, does that count as aerobic exercise?"

~Author Unknown~

We have arrived at another Beautiful Life Friday, hosted by Melissa at The Inspired Room. I sat surveying my Beautiful Life Goals earlier this week and I realized that part of beautiful living is recognizing what is and what is not working for me and to make changes based on my observations.

Well, I realized that a relationship was just not going to work out so I exercised my right to terminate it. This is a relationship that I listed as wanting to improve upon in my original list of goals. I know you are thinking what does this have to do with a sewing project, I'll get to that in a minute, and I promise it all ties together in the end.

I tried. I really, seriously, did try to establish a consistent relationship with her. I made an effort to spend time with her at least three times a week and I found the effort draining. I never really enjoyed our time together and a heavy weight of guilt settled upon me when I ignored her. I kept reminding myself that this relationship would be of a great benefit to me if I would just give the effort it required. I came to the conclusion last week that there are just some things you cannot force and friendship with her was one of those things. I decided it was just not going to work out for either of us and put an end to it. I did it as gently and lovingly as possible. I even introduced her to a new friend and they are getting along famously!

A huge weight lifted as she transitioned out of my life and the spot she emptied made room for something new. I felt like I had lost two hundred pounds of guilt and was pleasantly surprised by that fact. Yes, my treadmill and I broke up! Now I know you are thinking this is counter productive to reaching towards another of my goals, healthy living, not sew!
I prefer to do my walking where I am actually moving forward not just stepping in place. I am keeping my appointment with healthy living by walking in the great outdoors of God's cathedral and am enjoying the awakening of spring. I am sew excited about the empty space she left and decided to fill it with something more pleasant that was also in line with my goals.

I have spent a good portion of my week shifting things around in my studio space to make room for a "sew" pretty project! My former friend, the treadmill, stood folded up in half my studio closet. I folded her down and hopped on to trudge along as I recited, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11 NIV) I declare I am totally untrainable to the the treadmill! My time with her was not pleasant. It was painful and not in the least peaceful. So did I give up? No, I changed to a new plan of action that I still have to discipline myself too but oh the peace it produces when I walk along admiring God's handiwork, soaking up spring, and communing with Him!

Sew, what did I do with that big empty space? I moved one of my cupboards into the vacated space in the closet, am slowly reorganizing and culling supplies, and now I have room for my new "sew" pretty project! My sewing machine was stowed away in a cupboard and a pain to drag out every time I needed it. I would forgo the pleasure of sewing because it was not convenient. A trip to the flea market(s) solved my problem.

I purchased a deeply discounted iron sewing machine base with a study top already in place. I also found a set of old sewing drawers still in their frames and a bundle of old patterns. Armed with a couple of cans of spray paint, some wallpaper paste, and polyurethane I now have a pretty sewing table!

(click on any photo to enlarge for better viewing)

MATERIALS:
*Table top
*Wallpaper or Border Paste
*Foam Brushes ~ Be sure to use a quality foam brush, I recommend the dense foam brushes with the wooden handle. They are a bit more expensive but less likely to flake off or leave air bubbles on your project.
*Old Sewing Patterns ~ You will want a variety, I used pieces from five or six different patterns
*Polyurethane
*Cream or White Paint ~ I used cream spray paint
*Scissor
*Damp Rag

INSTRUCTIONS:
*To begin your pattern covered table top clean it thoroughly and then paint it with either a cream or white base coat of paint of your choice and allow to dry. This will allow the pattern pieces a neutral background that will really show off the layering. My base was already painted cream but I freshened it up as it had a few nicks.
*Once base coat is dry begin with one or two large pattern pieces to cover the top area of your project. You may want to dry fit the pieces before you actually begin attaching them. I started with one large piece across the front and then built layers starting at a back corner and working my way forward and across. Begin on the front edge of your table top by brushing wallpaper paste across the front edge only. Gently place your pattern piece to line up with the edge of the table, you can leave some overhang to glue to the under edge if you wish. Smooth in place.

There is no right or wrong way to do this. This is not a perfect process, some wrinkles will ensue and overworking the pieces can sometimes result in a tear in the tissue. I just patched up as best as I could and on the next layer I covered up any imperfections.

*Begin working in long strokes of glue and pressing the pattern in place. If you try to coat the whole surface and then lay the pattern down you will get an excess amount of wrinkles and the paper absorbs the glue quite quickly and becomes unworkable. Glue in small increments to prevent frustration!

I smoothed the pieces down with my hands making sure there are no air bubbles which will cause the paper to lift off the surface.

*Once piece is down, brush thin layer of glue over the edges of the pattern piece, smooth over with damp rag.

*Continue to layer and glue, cutting pattern pieces as necessary to get the look you desire until the whole surface is completely covered to your satisfaction. Allow to dry.

*Once dry, coat with three coats of polyurethane, allowing each coat to dry between coats. If you use a sponge brush be sure to use light pressure and to watch for air bubbles in the finish. If you see any, pop them with a needle so they don't mar your final finish.For the drawers I lightly sanded the flaking varnish off, wiped them down and just put on a fresh coat of clear sealer. Handy Hubby attached the drawer frames to the underside of the table and I ended up with a "sew" pretty project!

Sew, as you can see, I think I made a pretty good compromise for my Beautiful Life Goals. I think some beautiful accessories for my home will flow right off that pretty work surface. The question is, "If I stitch fast enough, does that count as aerobic exercise?"

Wait until you see my new sewing stool,machine cover, and sewing cupboard,...coming soon!

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

P.S. In case you are wondering, I am still a bit under the weather but making steady improvement. This seems to be a step forward, step back kind of thing so I am still taking it easy and working on my new projects in small increments of time and energy. Thank you so much for the thoughts, prayers, emails, cards, and cups of kindness. You ARE the best medicine a girl could ever have!