Many years ago I decided I wanted to learn to sew. My parents gave me a sewing machine for my college graduation… but that’s as far as I got.

In my efforts to be more thrifty I decided that it was high time I learned to use this piece of overweight machinery, so I signed up for a non-credit sewing class through a local community college.

My teacher, Ida, was amazing. Some facts about her:

1. She has amazing hair

2. She also has three enormous cats and lots of hot flashes

3. Don’t worry about the hot flashes because she has a personal fan that she carries around

4. She’s an incredibly talented seamstress… she does everything from alter wedding gowns to make slipcovers. I learned a lot from her and I’m thinking of signing up for another class with her (as long as I don’t have to put in another stupid zipper).

Which leads me to my sewing skills. Since I started at zero, it’s not too impressive that there was a marked improvement in my abilities. I managed to put together an apron from some vintage fabric that I found at a flea market years ago. I’ve learned how to operate the sewing machine and follow a pattern, which means that I will be able to make beautiful(ish) Christmas presents for my friends and family.

Cloth napkins for everyone!