Thrill of the Grill

[Mama Mangia]

I got away from sewing for quite some time - I was too busy working and this and that. Now I've got the time. It is much cheaper to buy clothing though. But it's nice to make things. You can always catch these sales where they sell the ends of the material for a very good price. Perfect for using for quilting. I'm thinking of making odds and ends for brides, showers, etc. I would love to make a mess of stuff and go into a craft sale. I can crochet blankets fairly quick. I've been thinking about it for some time now. Make things to keep busy and then see if anyone would like them.

Last week I was looking at material and I saw so many pretty patterns that would make nice quilts. A set of matching shams! NICE! Make the same patterns for draperies - line with a nice white material - make some tie backs. Grab one of those gizmos for braiding - add a braided rug in the same colors. And a couple throw pillows in matching colors - maybe with a patterned ruffle. hmmmm - now I want to go buy material! LOL

Maybe even hook a rug to match! and I can hook some pillows ---------

STOP!!!!!!!

I just finished making (crocheting) a real pretty peach and white beadspread - nice design - I even impressed myself. And I made (crocheted) 2 large and 2 small pillows - same colors but different patterns and reversible. Made a pink and white set before that.

Then I started to crochet bedroom curtains in white. THAT is time consuming.

just to keep me busy.

[jglass]

I saved these to my Mama file.
Thanks

[KYHeirloomer]

"It is much cheaper to buy clothing though."

Not really, Mama. Not if you compare like to like.

Sure, if you compare the quality goods coming off your machine with the cheap crap coming from a Taiwanese sweatshop, the Chinese stuff is cheaper. But if you go someplace where the materials and workmanship are the equal of what you make I doubt you can buy it cheaper.

That's the one thing we seem to have lost, lately. The ability (or maybe just the desire) to differentiate cost from value. Hell! That's what keeps Walmart in business.

[Mama Mangia]

I do not like Wal Mart clothing - but I'll tell you this - this high end pricy places get their clothes (regardless of what the tags say) from all the 3rd world countries - and they aren't even made well.

Quality is gone - totally gone.

I bought several tee tops at a "pricy" store - only to find that they were sewn incorrectly. No difference between the stitching or matierial from that store or a store like Wal Mart.

When I make something - it lasts.

Try to make any adjustments on clothing in the stores - there is not enough material to let anything out in any area you may need it - you cannot adjust the darts - you cannot adjust sleeves - nothing.

Years ago there was always extra material in the seams of garments - back in the good old days.

[jglass]

I have bought electronics at Sears but they have the worst quality clothes ever.
I got clothes there for my little sister one year for school and as soon as I washed them seams started coming loose. I am a jeans and tshirt girl. I like JCPenney's clothes alot.

[KYHeirloomer]

Mama you're just proving my point; to wit: the stuff you make is high quality goods, and should not be compared to the crap in the stores.

More and more, I'm pleased to say, we're seeing a return to people demanding quality---and being willing to pay for it. The whole artisan thing is based on that idea, that hand-crafted, quality products have intrinsic value.

I see that myself, with the custom cutting boards and chopping blocks I build. They are almost price insensitive. People are tired of paying a lot of money for the mass-produced, flat-grain boards that warp if you look at them cockeyed. As a result, they don't even blink at the prices I quote.

[Mama Mangia]

We make our own boards as well - much, much better and they last a lifetime.

I still have my great grams rolling pin from the 1800's - still looks great too! My great gramps made it for her.

[jglass]

I have my Mom's iron skillets that were her Mom's and Mom's granny's before that.

[Mama Mangia]

Just imagine all those wonderful meals they made filled with love - and now you have all that!!! And everything will taste better in them than in new ones - believe me. There is more to the "seasoning" of a cast iron pan - they are also seasoned with love and you can't tell me they aren't!

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

My hat is off to all of you!!! Excellent discussion full of wisdom and truth! Mama you could earn some smackaroos with your hand sewn items! The love with which we cook our meals, sew our seeds and tend our gardens, clean our home, make our crafts......whatever.............there is no way to acurately place a price tag on that! There is great satisfaction-- how do you sum that up money wise? Impossible..........enough said.