Wannabe (A Serger Owner)

Dear SewMama Sew,

You ask me to answer the question, “How would your life be better with a new Husqvarna Viking s21 serger?” Well, let me tell you a story…

Once upon a time, I was a music major. Vocal performance to be exact – because I love to sing. I love to sing fun songs with fun lyrics. But along the way, in the gloom of Music History, Ear Training and worst of all, Piano 101, I found myself losing my love of music. Ironically, I was so busy studying for music classes, I didn’t have time to practice singing the songs that I loved.

So I switched majors to Theatre. Yes, it was a practical decision in that most of my credits transferred, but I was also lured in by two words: Costume Design. Up until this point, my sewing experience had consisted of three items: a pair of cotton shorts that could be likened to pair of Jams, a jumper, and a scrunchie, all sewn at home with my mother doing most of my sewing for me. But now I found myself studying the history of clothes and the secrets of their construction. My Technical Costuming (read: sewing) class unleashed a creative urge I didn’t know I had and I flourished in the design environment. For Christmas, my parents bought me an inexpensive Kenmore sewing machine (they weren’t going to commit the big bucks on a Singer– after all, I’d just quit my life-long dream to be a singer) and in class I stitched away on one of the really nice Berninas.

But best of all, as a theatre major, I was introduced to one fantabulous machine —a machine I’d never seen before as it’s not exactly critical for the construction of scrunchies – the SERGER! It was love at first seam.

I was fascinated and intrigued by this machine that chopped off the edge of the very fabric that it stitched. I couldn’t help but drool as I saw four beautiful spools of thread and one cutter work together effortlessly to create professional ‘perfect’ seams. I used it as often as they would let me and I knew without a doubt that I needed one of my own.

Fast-forward 8 years to my present day life. It’s a good one. I’m married to a wonderful man who works hard so I can be a stay-at-home mom to the two coolest kids on the planet. I’ve got a minivan and a jogging stroller and yes, the same Kenmore that my parents purchased. Like my creative urge, it’s still going strong. As this blog shows, I’ve sewn all sorts of items on that baby – from receiving blankets to pajama pants, slipcovers to pillows, blouses to quilts. I’ve hemmed pants and taken in t-shirts. I was even a Runner Up in a Simplicity sewing contest.

You could say that I have it all.

But you would be wrong.

While my Kenmore has served me well, but it’s never serged me well. After all, it’s not a serger!

I want to cry when I read “serge this seam” in a pattern. As everyone knows, a zigzag stitch will never ever produce the same enviable, expertly-executed seams that a serger can create. I’ve considered making items to sell on Etsy, but who would pay good money for sad seams? I’ve thought about offering tailoring services to my friends but I fear the public humiliation if word got out about my ugly edges.

My heart skips a beat at the thought of finally fulfilling my college dream of owning a serger. I know my sewing, my creativity and my mood would all be enhanced with a Husqvarna Viking s21 machine. I know I would make more clothing for my children and myself and my wonderful husband if I could describe my sewing as “like a breeze!” I’d give more homemade gifts if I could use a serger to make them look less, well, homemade.

My life would be better because I’d be less frustrated and more satisfied in my final products. My life would be better because I’d spend less time fretting over projects and more time completing them. Completed projects would be used and enjoyed and the space the un-completed projects are taking up would be freed up for new ideas to take shape.

As I close my plea, let’s come full-circle. Although I am Singer-less, I still love to sing. And I still sing fun songs with fun lyrics. Thus I feel that the best way to plead my case for the serger, would be in song. Having been trained in the classics, I looked to none other than the musical geniuses of our time: The Spice Girls. The following lyrics are to be sung to the tune of their song Wannabe.

Wannabe (A Serger Owner) by Rachel Fix

Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want
So tell me what you want, what you really really want
I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want
So tell me what you want, what you really really want
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really
Really really wanna SERGER-SERGE-AH!

Wanna make my future better than my past?
You’ve gotta give me a serger, so I can sew real fast
I have been wasting my precious time
Wanna get my act together, wanna serge real fine

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want
So tell me what you want, what you really really want
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really
Really really wanna SERGER- SERGE-AH!

Wanna serge for my lover, Wanna serge for my friends
Make seams that will last forever – serging never ends
If I get a serger, sewing will be bliss
Viking makes it easy, yeah that's the way it is

What do you think about that now you know how I feel
SewMamaSew – It’s a cool contest – is it for real?
Please don't ignore me! Give me a try!
If I get a serger, I will shout “OH MY!”

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want
So tell me what you want, what you really really want
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really
Really really wanna SERGER-SERGE-AH!

I wanna serge for my lover, I wanna serge for my friends
My seams will last forever – serging never ends
If I get a serger, sewing will be bliss!
Viking makes it easy, yeah that's the way it is

So here's the story from a to z, you gotta serger for me?
You gotta listen carefully
Stitches in place - faster than a race
Presser feet would be, adjusted easily
And yeah, it would-- come for free

And as for me- HA! You'll see!
Slam the cutter down the spools will spin around
Slam the cutter down the spools will spin around

Wanna serge for my lover, Wanna serge for my friends
Make seams that will last forever – serging never ends
If I get a serger, sewing will be bliss!
Viking makes it easy, yeah that's the way it is

When you serge for your lover, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta
You gotta, you gotta, slam, slam, slam, slam
Slam the cutter down the spools will spin around
Slam the cutter down the spools will spin around

Slam the cutter down the spools will spin around
Slam your cutter down and SERGER-SERGE-AH
I wanna serge for my lover…

I will even go so far as to humiliate myself and prove that I have really lost all the professional vocal training I once had (and prove why you shouldn't use GarageBand for the very first time when you are writing a post for a contest. At 2 am. ), I will also include this soundtrack of me singing the above song.

I know, it's pretty wretched. But I just want that serger SO BAD!

So, there you have it. The best plea I can give for why SewMamaSew should give me a new Husqvarna Viking s21 serger. The only thing I can add is “Pretty please!”

Sincerely,

Rachel Fix

UPDATE 9/9/2010: I didn't win. But that's okay. I had a lot of fun writing this post. If anyone comes across a Husqvarna Viking s21 serger that someone else is giving away, let me know.

Pink Martini

I love Pink Martini. They are such fabulous musicians.

And I really love this advertisement for their end of summer concerts at the Hollywood Bowl! Anyone know if it's available in a poster somewhere? Or where I could get someone to print it off for me? I wish I could attend this concert, but I'd settle for having this print somewhere in my home.

Stella & Dot

Remember me? I'm the gal who supposedly has a blog called Design Fix. Perhaps I should update it more than once every 3 months, huh?
Well, I've been busy! I've just started as a Stylist for Stella & Dot jewelry. I'll post more about it in later posts, but for now, check out this fabulous Fall Fashion Show to see more of the jewelry. If you love it, and I know you will, ask me how you can get jewelry for FREE by hosting a Trunk Show!

Surprise

It seems like the only thing I've had time to sew lately are Diapers and Wipes cases. This one was for Baby Eller and it seems plain enough from the outside...

But what's that peeking out from behind the black and white polka dots?

PINK! The Ellers are having a baby girl!

Flossing

For those of you who might be worrying that I will find myself aimlessly drifting without a specific goal, I've got good news. My new goal is to floss my teeth everyday. It's something I've never been very consistent about doing and it's a easy goal. I need an easy goal. Life with a newborn is not a time for grandiose dreams. And yes, I am serious. Flossing my teeth daily is my new goal. I know my dentist and my father will be happy.

12FOR2010: Just Kidding!

Okay so I know I've been MIA from this blog for a long time. But first I was sick. Then I went to London. Then I had a baby. And then I got really busy. I forgot how much work newborns can be! And did I mention that I was still sick? Until around mid-May?! Ugh. But now I'm back. And I've got a new focus!

Remember the main goal that I set for this year? It was to "get my priorities straight and serve others." I wanted to work with diligent hands to serve my husband and children. Well, I've been better at doing this but honestly, to blog about all of it here takes away from my time to serve my husband and my kids.
I read plenty of blogs where the women seem to have their whole act together -- they can set huge goals, they can take care of their family, they can keep their house clean, they can love their husbands, all while maintaining a consistent string of posts on their adorable blogs. I figured that these women were just naturally more focused and driven than me and thus their lives were perfect. Well, perhaps it is true that the majority of the world is more focused and driven than I am. But I've also learned that the writers of two of my favorite blogs (here and here) have hired help for either childcare of household cleaning or both. Reading that made me feel a lot better about just not being able to keep up.
And leave it to me to turn a goal of serving into a goal of self-promoting. I thought if I could just show the world that I am as put together and cool as the writers of every other blog, I would become the bees knees and everyone would love me. Ew. Sometimes I disgust myself with how selfish I can be! This is exactly why I set this goal -- to get my focus off myself!

So, I'm giving up (ouch it hurts to write those words!) on my original 12 month/12 goal plan. Instead I'm going to continue to serve my family as best as I can and not worry so much about telling you about it on this blog. I hope you aren't offended by that! The 12 goals are all present in my head so I won't forget them. I'm just going to forget about trying to keep up with them here. Again, don't take it personally.

I will continue to reflect on Proverbs 31 and if I get motivated, I'll throw in some other mini-goals based on my original plan for this year. But, it takes a huge load off my shoulders to back away from trying to do it all and blog about it all!

That being said, I did carry out my goals for February and March (April and May passed by with no goals in place) and I'll be posting about those in the near future so you can know how I faired. So stick around if you are still interested and I'll be back soon.

Sorry!

I am still alive. I'm sorry I haven't been posting more. But it's taken me a little while to adjust to life with two kids. I will be getting more posts up here in the near future. In the meantime... Is this not the ugliest bathing suit you have ever seen? Seriously Urban Outfitters?! Ew.

Hospital Gown

About a year ago, I was looking at some newborn pictures on a high school friend’s Facebook page when I noticed that his wife was wearing a super cute hospital gown. I read on and realized that she had sewn it for herself! So, when I got pregnant this time, I decided I wanted to do the same thing.I looked around a lot of places, but the only pattern I could find (for free) was from Lazy Girl Designs. After using it to make this gown I would highly recommend it. That being said, I did make a few alterations…Instead of the recommended velcro, I used snap tape on the closures on the sleeves. I also added about 4 inches to the length and sewed a sash (not attached to the gown) to belt around my middle -- just above the baby bump. Also, the pattern says to serge/zigzag stitch the edges and fold them over to finish but I made my own contrasting bias 'tape' and used that instead. I also made the neckline a little deeper as it felt too high -- like it would bug me during labor clutching at my neck. And the original pattern includes a pocket to hold wires for a heart monitor or something but since I knew I wouldn't use that, I didn't make it.It was plenty big on me so next time I think I’ll move one of the back ties to the side of the gown so I can close it tightly around my middle. I also recommend painting your toenails in a shade to match as that made it extra fun to look down to my feet while I sat around having contractions 5-10 minute apart. ALTHOUGH, in retrospect, I should have waited until after delivery as they placed my sweet baby girl on my belly right after she popped out and the gown got quite messy.My mom took it home and washed it but I didn’t get a decent picture of it the next day. I think Louisa liked staring at the contrasting pink and white pattern.I also made this matching headband (same fabric as the trim around the neckline/hem) but I didn’t wear it until we took Little Lou home.

Room for Two

Besides the closet, we made a few additions and changes to Rock’s room to make room for his little sister. My original plan for the room included much more red than we ever put in there for Rock. So, many of the new touches (like the nightlight below) bring in this color.Rock’s big boy bed was made by a friend of the family and we added the drawer pulls to match his dresser (just out of sight to the left of this picture). The “R” pillowcase is from Urban Outfitters of all places. I made both the duvet cover (still needs buttons at the top to keep the duvet in place better) and the lumbar pillow is from the upholstered rocker that used to sit in this spot. The 1 2 3 bins are from IKEA and are perfect for hiding random toys.This new print hangs on the wall above Rock’s pillow and is very securely attached to the wall because I am convinced he will try his hardest to bring it crashing onto his head.Rock book collection was rapidly outgrowing the size of his bedside bookshelf so we added this shelf from IKEA next to the door and moved his library there.Across from Rock’s bed is his old crib which will now belong to Louisa. I kept the same bumper and crib skirt that I made for Rock. The curtains are also a relatively recent addition – given to us by Juju from her stash of random treasures.Rock thought she would love this police car so he added it to her crib.The artwork above her bed is also from Urban Outfitters. What can I say? They were having a sale right when I started transforming the room and adding red girly touches! Finally, the Wheel of Responsibility now hangs on their doorway. I bought this before Rock was born but never got around to hanging it.Bring on Baby #2! This room is ready!

Closet Transformation

Way back in January, I began to organize the contents of Rock’s closet and changing table. Up until this point, the closet has been plenty big enough for one kid so I never really organized it. But I knew with a baby girl on the way, we would need a lot of room for accessories/dresses/shoes/etc.If you can look past all the clutter in the picture above, you can see the old shelf. Instead of a bar, these weird shelves with a lip are in all of our closets. This means we can only hang our hangers one way and we can’t use any hanging organizers that loop around a bar.Needless to say, the bar had to go. Using a gift card at Home Depot, we were able to purchase this fabulous closet system.Thankfully I had these two carpenter to “struction” work for me. And thankfully Rock had good outfits for each of them to wear. After many stupid mistakes and frustrations, we finally finished this project! The drawers in the center hold Shin’s current wardrobe. The grey tub holds the outfits she will wear in coming months. Likewise, the blue tub in the center holds Rock’s future wardrobe.On the right hand side of the closet are Rock’s hanging clothes (or should I say costumes?) and a shoe organizer that holds Shin’s shoes and accessories and small toys and extra wipes. The other blue tub holds Rock’s wooden trains and train tracks. Someday soon I want to find a new spot for this and put a laundry hamper in it’s place. On the left side, her hanging clothes are organized by size.The top shelf is actually the original shelf without the front lip (turns out it was really easy to pry off!). We used iron-on stripping to cover the front edge and I was super impressed with how easy it was to apply! So, there you have it. After months or planning, the closet is DONE!

Dipes and Wipes

Using some of the scraps from Shin's quilt, I made her a Dipes and Wipes case. We got one of these from Target when Rock was born and I really liked having it.
When the baby is little, it's nice to have their diapers and wipes and diaper cream all stored together inside their diaper bag. That way, you never have to dig around for these items and if you need to change the baby in a public place like a restaurant, you can just leave your diaper bag with your friends at your table and carry this into the bathroom.

Later on, when you don't need a big ole diaper bag, you can just throw this into your purse and you have all your diapering needs together in one place. Anyway, I'm really pleased with how it turned out and that I got it finished before she arrives!

12FOR2010: Pantry Part Two

The Pantry and has been organized! Sorta. As I look at these pictures, I realize that it doesn't look all that different from before. And there are a few things I still want to add. But for now, this will do and I'm glad I went through it and threw out the old stuff.

These shelves might not look organized, but they are much more organized than before. On the door it's dishtowels on the top, followed by random grains and breast milk bags (I'll need those real soon!) on shelf two. Shelf three is stuff for PB&J's and Nutella. Shelf three is for snacky things. Shelf four is more snacky things and the bottom shelf is extra plastic bags and plastic forks.Then moving inside, the top shelf of the pantry is devoted to cook books and candy. I put the candy up high to keep it away from someone's little hands!

Moving down, shelf two is for spices and cans on the left side. The middle section is for nuts and rice and grains. The right side is for tea (front) and dried fruit (in the back since we don't access it as much as tea).Shelf three is baking central. The one exception is the plastic container of fruit snacks (can I get an witness for the awesomeness of Fruitabu?).

I love these jars from Ikea. They are from the SLOM collection and they are just $3.99 each. I might purchase some more for other food storage in the future. For now, they are labeled for sugar, bread flour, whole wheat flour, white flour, and powdered sugar.

Shelf four has cereal on the left. Behind the cereal is our liquid storage -- for our very small 'liquor cabinet' and our extra olive oil, vinegar, etc. The right side is full of pasta, canned and jarred tomato products, and a big ole bag of rice.

The bottom shelf is for drinks on the left and paper/plastic products on the right.

In front of that is our extra ZAZZ (world's greatest fizzy water!) and juice boxes. And that's about it!
I'd like to get a wall organizer for the extra parchment paper, ziploc freezer bags and craft paper hiding behind the ZAZZ, but I can live with things as they are. And my label maker is out of label tape at the moment so the areas are not as labeled as I'd like it to be, but again, you can go crazy trying to hyper organize. For now, I'm just glad I can see everything that's in there and I can say "A sorta place for everything and everything sorta in it's place."

Katie's Advice!

My friend Katie nicely put up a post on her blog all about this blog and my New Years Resolution for this year.AND she offers some great tips on menu planning and food preparation! I particularly love the idea pictured above -- a dry erase board to list everything that's in your fridge/freezer. That way things don't get lost and turn fuzzy! Here's the link to check out all her great ideas.

Cool Mom or Design Disaster?

Quick question.

This is a rug/play mat from IKEA. I think Rock would enjoy playing with his cars and trucks on it. And I would love to have him close at hand while I cook/do things in the kitchen. Meanwhile, our kitchen rug is pretty small and I have wanted to update it with a bigger model for some time.
So my question is would I be a cool mom if I bought it and used it as kitchen rug or would that just prove that I no longer have any design? I'd really appreciate some honest feedback.
p.s. I'd especially appreciate the honest feedback of my husband.

Christmas Album

I come from a long line of Christmas-card-picture-displayers.Okay so I don't know if anyone else before her did it, but my mom always kept her Christmas card pictures up on the fridge until the next set of cards started coming in. Then she put them in an album.

Although my pictures are on this wall instead of on the fridge, I decided to follow her example and make my own Christmas picture album.

Here's the outside. I got the album on sale at Target and bought some extra pages so it will last for a few more years. The card in the window is an old one from my friend Stephanie. You can't really see it here, but it says "Merry Christmas."

The earliest pictures I had saved were from 2005, but the bigger collections start in 2006.

On some of the pages I cut out designs and words from Christmas cards past but I am no scrapbooking genius. And I have no time to make myself one.

Now we'll be able to look back in years to come and see how we've all aged. Aged gracefully that is.