I had a rather embarrassing nickname when I was in high school: Grandma. I earned the name from wearing my grandmother’s hand-me-down cardigans (not fashionable, but so cozy) and from enjoying pasttimes such as knitting (NOT hip at the time) and needlework (not fashionable then or now).

I still love needlework. If I can find an excuse to embroider something, I will. I enjoyed stitching with wool on canvas, silk ribbon embroidery, free-hand stitches and good old cross stitch. While I was digging through my stash closet, I found a box of linen, aida cloth, floss and patterns. What an exciting find! For the life of me, I couldn’t remember why I hadn’t touched that stuff in so long. I promptly selected a small cross stitch kit and set to work, imagining how nice it would be to have some springy decor around the house.

This is as far as I got.

I think it’s pretty and spring-y. It’s certainly fun…but it’s turned into an abominable pain-in-the-neck. Literally. I can’t turn my head or move my right arm without causing bolts of pain to shoot through my body.

Aha. Now I remember why I put this stuff aside a few years ago. Such a shame! I’m going to put it down for a few days, work on the physical therapy exercises I’ve also neglected and then start stitching again…but for no more than 30 minutes a day. If I’m prudent, I think I’ll be able to enjoy this hobby again without crippling myself. It’s hard for a fanatic like me to restrain myself!

So, I’m turning my attention back to a dress I started, which I’ve pinned haphazardly to Headless Hannah.

This is Vogue 8470, which I discussed in an earlier post. After making a couple of muslins and ending up with a fit of the bodice that I’m happy with, I started sewing the garment in blue polka-dotted poly charmeuse. I hadn’t noticed that a very similar fabric was pictured on the pattern envelope when I bought it. Talk about serendipity!

It’s coming together nicely. I’ve got one problem though. I cut extra wide seams at the shoulders and at the center seams of the back pieces so I could adjust as I go…but how do I pin that on myself? My husband is hopeless at this kind of thing and I’m scared to ask my kids. I don’t want to end up like a voo-doo doll! I may need to bribe a friendly neighbor or the postman.