Sew Necessary::Belleville, TX Market Day

Sew Necessary is a story about….

Two friends, with husbands and young children and some time to sew. This is a collection of stitches gathered here and there in between laundry, dishes, diapers, meal preparation, education, some rest and exercise and, any other small thing that women do to make the day smoother for those they love. While we could do without sewing, we enjoy the time taken aside to make something by hand. We could show our children that we are consumers and not producers but we opt out of that when we take time to sew. Just like making bread by hand or crafting a hearty stew that nourishes the body, this practice and routine is vital to our soul, our children and our culture. In many ways, we feel more connected to pioneer women by taking part in a heritage that to them was indeed “sew” necessary while for us, it seems somewhat optional.

All items handmade, embroidered, appliqued and/or quilted by Cheryl Amelang and Traci Mueller who to their families and to each other are Sew Necessary. Please come out and browse a variety of baby clothing and slings, home décor, women’s apparel and accessories as well as handmade cards ~ all made with love this Saturday at the Belleville, Texas Market Day on the square from 9am to 4pm. The bluebonnets are still blooming!

small beginnings::squares 2 and 3

Only 22 squares left to piece, but don't think of it that way mama. Just look at today. It is like a marathon I think...you don't agonize over the 25 miles, but just the next 2 or three or even, one according to one of my jock mama triathlete friends. Good advice! Each square is a unique piece of the whole quilt and each day is a unique piece of my unique children. One piece or day, at a time. I have to remind myself of that too.

Hope you are enjoying "piecing" your days together!

I did offer to pay them 50 cents each to fold a load of laundry for me, however, several days later, they voluntarily offered to wash dishes without knowing if they would be paid or not...planting seeds, one day at a time.

small beginnings

I am often thinking lately of how great things begin small. There are so many things if you stop and take stock, you realize that they began quite happen stance, humbly or even on accident but in your life, you can not imagine a happy life without it. For example, from the very big things like choosing your spouse, planning your child(ren), your home or the little things like, your favorite pair of denim jeans you bought on sale or were handed down that just feel like "me" when you put them on.

I have long thought and admired only truly recently and even ventured into... log cabin style quilt making. I have consulted the owner of Alewives Fabrics with back and forth chatter over email about how I can make all my squares and then pay to have it quilted with batting of my choice. I might pay a little more for that service but I would do all the design of the quilt itself. Somehow, having the help takes some of the intimidation out of it. So, as I am swimming in little scraps of fabric from Hobby Lobby, Alewives Fabrics and various other places like garage sales and antique shows, I find myself beginning my first quilt. I think it will end up on my grandmother's couch that lives here now with cats scratching it to death and children constantly unloading its cushions daily and spilling water on it. It could use a bit of a homemade, affordable, face lift....so, here I go!

I share with you today, the first of some 25 squares this baby will need to be a true "throw". I don't know that this will be a "great thing" or not, but the chance that it will become a loved and cherished handmade item in my family is a very intiguing thought and adds value to my effort.

Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What small beginnings are in your plans friends?