Hospital activity packs
5 July 2009, 19:34To accompany my my little red sewing machine on the inside here with me, I made up some “activity packs” in advance that my mom or James could just bring to me when I got the sewing itch. Into each gallon ziploc bag went all the cut fabric pieces for that project, plus the thread and bobbin, any notions, and the scanned line drawing & instructions. That way I should hopefully just be able to get down to business when the feeling strikes me without having to do all the boring prep stuff!
First up is already in my activity drawer (I’ve only got four drawers and a tiny wardobe in the room, so one is designated for fun!), a hat from the May 09 Burda, with all the pattern pieces cut out in the red & white floral cotton poplin, with all the appropriate pieces fused to some super heavyweight canvas interfacing.
I’ve also got this top and trousers from the May 09 KnipMode ready to go…
(though I’m beginning to wonder if tracing the trousers in size 44 was a mistake, after hearing from the doctors as well as ex-patients to expect to lose a drastic amount of weight during the transplant…)
And the Kantje Boord lingerie kit from Sigrid is an activity pack on its own, with just some underwires and my Kwik Sew bra and KnipMode pants patterns thrown in!
Day -3
I spent this morning reading through the Saturday papers, and catching up on some sewing reading…
(Not pictured is the first issue of Sew, a new UK magazine with a full dress pattern enclosed in a covermount envelope. Only because I devoured it before my admission). In the pile was the latest issue of Sew Hip, which has gotten better since the debut issue, but still doesn’t really excite me, Sewing World magazine, which I’ve thumbed through many times at the newsagents but never ended up buying before. For me, the best part was Lisa from U-handbag‘s monthly bag pattern and the big order form for discounted envelope patterns (I’m seriously considering buying the Simplicity 1940s retro pattern for £2.95 and free shipping), but I got the distinct impression while reading through the magazine that I’m 20 years younger, three kids fewer, and countlessly more internet savvy than their target audience. And rounding out the sewing magazine pile were the new issues of Threads and Burda, even though the latter’s July issue left me yawning and bored.
But that’s okay, because my fascinating and exhilirating Saturday night in South London consisted of needlework! ha!
My mom bought me an embroidery/crewel kit with a washaway stamped butterfly and foliage print on two hand towels, and I did all of the above in essentially one day (I only did an hour or so the day before and the day after). I’m not crazy in love with the print, but I enjoyed doing it and I figure they’d make nice hostess gifts in the future. And I’ve still got one more to do eventually.
And I opened my first parcel from a FehrTrade reader today, so I wanted to say thank you to Rachel for sending me some of her big snap stash (“big” in that the snaps are 25mm wide!). I am so ready for Burda’s jackets now – I could never find those before!
Oh yeah, and did anyone else spot that The Guardian newspaper are giving away a free Matthew Williamson kaftan pattern pdf??
Hospital update: I somehow won the chemo jackpot, because I’m still feeling absolutely normal, apart from a bit of dry mouth no worse than a bad hangover. Seriously, no sickness, no vomiting, no lethargy, no nothing. Everyone’s coming in to visit expecting me to be sick but have said I just look normal. This chemo lark is easy! (yeah yeah I know I just got lucky – it’s different for everyone)
Tags: embroidery, home-dec, hospital, magazine
awesome planning!! Nothing will stop your super craftiness…LOL!! Glad to hear you are feeling pretty good…keep it up!
— Peacock Chic Jul 5, 08:43 PM #
You were really prepared with your pre-cut kits. Great idea! Continued good vibes to you.
— gwen Jul 5, 09:22 PM #
So organised! I’m glad to hear you’re not feeling too bad, and hope it continues :)
— Ruth Jul 5, 10:14 PM #
Those activity packs are a brilliant idea. Glad to hear that you are feeling much better than you expected and up to using your packs.
— allisonC Jul 6, 01:51 AM #
I can’t believe you finished a hand towel in two days. It would have taken me weeks. (I tend to rip out and start over too much. I’ve got to quit that.) Also I looked at the kaftan pattern and I just know I would drag those sleeves through everything. At least you can sew to your heart’s content in there.
— Karen Jul 6, 01:53 AM #
Great embroidery! You should be an expert at embroidery by the end of your stay.
— Nancy k Jul 6, 05:02 AM #
hope you keep on avoiding the side effects! Glad to hear you’re feeling well enough to sew. I keep looking at July Burda expecting something to jump out at me but it’s not happening, was beginning to think there is something wrong with me!
— Racheljm Jul 6, 11:46 AM #
So glad you’re still feeling relatively all right! It’s great you’re winning at the chemo lottery..
Unfortunately, they’re probably right about drastic weight loss though. Much better than the other way, you can take things in a bit if necessary. But this pants pattern looks way too fussy on top to be easily altered.. A much simpler patter might be a better idea for the moment.
Can’t help thinking of all those great pjs you’d done, and now you’re in the hospital in the middle of a fucking heat wave.. Ah well, they’ll last you for years of less-intensive wear on the boat :-).
— Marie-Christine Jul 6, 11:54 AM #
I’m impressed with all your prep work! Once I do all those boring bits I want to start sewing immediately. Glad you’re feeling ok, fingers crossed it continues.
— The Slapdash Sewist Jul 6, 03:53 PM #
Hello! I have singularly failed at making you the awesome hat, but I have a couple of books and would love to come and visit some time, though I have no idea when as I am stupidly overbooked at the moment.
— anwen Jul 7, 10:50 AM #
These kits are awesome! You could start a company with these – for the uninspired/rushed sewist.
Your embroidery is so impressive – it looks as if you’d been doing this all your life.
I’m glad you doing OK, Melissa. Fingers crossed it stays this way!
(I am currently relocating to Southern France for a job there, which is why I have been so ridiculously absent from the blogosphere – but you have been in my thoughts.)
— Isabelle Jul 8, 09:55 PM #