Doing the Two Stitch.

Some of you may have read my last post. I borrowed a nice new sewing machine today. And yikes… I see the light. Let me try to explain…

I used to do the ‘two-stitch’. I happily made pillowcases in Home Ec, I was obedient and trusting – and I listened to my teachers. Those teachers, they were ‘two-stitchers’ too. ‘Oh you only need a straight stitch and a zig zag, dear. You’ll never use any other stitches’, they would say. Over the years, i’ve been a devoted two stitcher, assuming my teachers were right.

Until now. Thank you Brother Limited Editon Sewing Machine. It’s all thanks to you that I now know who i really am. I AM NOT A TWO STITCHER. AND I DO NEED 70 STITCHES.

It’s been a long, hard road. And I’m not usually a back-flipper, but I tried moderation. I really did. Secretly I knew that lurking inside was a stitching monster who can’t stop at just one lazy-daisy. Nope. This girl needed the ‘spirit fingers’ stitch (number 45 on the borrowed Brother – thanks Snow White). She loved the teeny little vine stitch with the wincy leaves on it. She adored the little chain of hearts stitch, happily curling from beneath the sewing machine. She was a goner.

So I admit it. I DO like having seventy stitches. I like the little light up panel that tells me which presser foot I should use. I like the whizzing dial that helps me find my chosen stitch.

You know, i guess those aforementioned ‘2 stitch’ people might be the sort that say ‘a comb and a jar of vaseline’ are their daily beauty routine – dare I say, perhaps a dab of Brylcream behind the ears on a Sunday? Well, I never WAS much of a minimalist. I apply at least FIVE types of cosmetic to my face most days – it’s not OTT… but it’s certainly not spartan. Same with clothes, I like ’em. I wear them every day – not just for covering up and staying warm. I think they look cute. But it’s not like I’m some crazy fashionista. I’m not super-bling lady or something. I’m fairly moderate.

So here is what I am thinking – after struggling with the BOUNTY that IS SEVENTY stitches, and in keeping with my usually moderate, modest stance on life, the universe and everything.

I REALLY LIKE the machine with seventy stitches – but perhaps I might compromise and not be too greedy – and use about fifty of them. That seems fair, i think. Because I am more of a fifty stitch girl. I can just look at the other stitches sometimes, and wonder what might have been.

I’m not promising that I won’t EVER use all of the SEVENTY stitches, because who knows what might happen in the dead of night, after drinking too many cups of tea and looking at too many pretty craft blogs. But I WILL try to stay off the stuff most of the time. I swear.

xx mikes