It's been ages since I've gone into the fabric store and bought brand new fabric for a project I had in my head.
Last week though, as I prepared for a visit from a life-long friend (a visit that coincided with her birthday), I decided it was time.
As she prepares to move into a new home and a new neighborhood I didn't want to give her more stuff to lug along. I wanted to make her something useful and beautiful.
With the emphasis on useful.
So I picked up two fat quarters and a skinny remnant and paired it with two fabrics from my stash. (And oh, what a luxurious treat to buy new fabric! Even if it wasn't for me.)
Before I had any semblance of a plan I was cutting freshly washed fabrics into different width strips and hoping for the best. I worried briefly as I had no idea where I was going with this that I might be giving her some soap instead (still! an! awesome! gift!), but before long I was sewing away and it was all coming together.
In the end I pieced together six napkins. All different, all wonky, all designed-on-the-fly and backed in a dark and luscious linen of a delicious color that I can't even describe. (Eggplant crossed with composted manure? Something like that. Maybe not the best description for napkins, but if you are a gardener you know how lovely and rich this color must be.)
Being napkins they'll even pack up easily for her move across town. Something I can't say about the jars of tinctures, dried herbs, and bone broth I loaded her down with before she left. But hey. Those are useful too, right? Especially with the stress of moving.
I think so anyway.
And I suppose that's how I nurture the people I love - I make them things, and fill their arms with herbs and broth before they head for home.
Eh, there are worse problems to have.
Love,
Rachel
