I've been listening to a lot of the Silver Jews for the past week or so. The new album Tanglewood Numbers is amazing, perfect & profound. It is a huge departure from their typical sound of the past few years & I think the change is good for them. As a matter of fact I think a little change is good for us all now and again.

That's why I spent this weekend getting to know my new sewing machine a little better. Now I'm a novice sewer in every sense of the word but I've had a machine for years. It just didn't come fluidly or naturally to me the way knitting did. Sewing seemed more like a chore than a joy. A hindrance vs. creative outlet.

That all changed when we found this gem at a thrift store.It's an Elna Lotus. It's tiny and works like a champ. I had no idea that a sewing machine could be so easy to use. My old singer dressmaker could do a ton of fancy stitches but they were no use to me as I got frustrated just trying to thread the bobbin.

I whipped up a few basic bags out of vintage pillowcases to practice on & they actually looked good (as opposed to my old look- chewed up and spit out by an angry woodchuck). It was fun and I actually found myself wanting to do more of it!

With that spirit I'm all signed up & ready to start on my project for Sew, I knit. Our first project will be a skirt. All I need to do now is figure out which pattern to use (I'm either using Betsy Ross #001 or a vintage pattern for a wrap skirt) and decide on which fabric. It's funny even though I haven't really enjoyed sewing in the past I cannot pass up vintage fabric. If you thought my yarn stash was bad.....

I also finished my first Badcaul sock yesterday. These socks knit up so fast & the pattern really rocks! The cables look so great in the koigu & it's so soft & squishy!

Now if only my other WIP's were moving so fast.