Sew Cool, Part 2

A week ago, I learned how to use a sewing machine.  (If you are interested, check out the previous post discussing that adventure.)  I had the chance to return to the library for a class to put my new knowledge to use.  I would create a COFFEE CUP COZY!! I am perfectly happy with starting small and practical.  I arrived excited and a bit nervous. Sure, I was just going to be making something for fun for myself, but, honestly, no one likes feeling like a fool (even when no one else is watching.)  Did I remember anything? It had only been a week. I had looked at Pinterest in advance to “research” the steps. It seemed straightforward enough. I would put my concerns aside and go for it!  I sat at the machine, and all of us in the class were all told that we would thread the machines ourselves since we had the choice of black or white thread. This was a less than stellar start. I completely forgot how to do this.   I pulled out the machine’s instruction manual, but, fortunately, the teacher for the class gladly got me set up (and then helped others do the same). I won’t deny that I felt a little better knowing that I was not the only one with a slow start.  Maybe I won’t be quite so helpless the next time, but, if I am, I know that there will still be help. I refuse to believe that I am the only adult who forgets things from week to week. The phrase “use it or lose it” is an accurate one.

At the beginning, we did receive a printed tutorial, but the instructor did talk us through the process.  The steps were easy in theory. Making the project look good took quite a bit more effort. My stitches were not necessarily smooth and straight.  I certainly had the chance to learn from my errors. For example, when you don’t secure material onto the sewing area with the little “foot”, the stitches go in a somewhat haphazard matter all over the place.  For some reason, one side looked a lot better than the other. I again had a little adrenaline rush as I would “speed stitch” down the edges of my pieces of material. Since there were extra materials available, I had the opportunity to make three coffee cup cozies.  Each one got a little better. I finally started to figure some things out as I went along. I took advantage of the opportunity to learn and practice. I actually feel comfortable enough to try it again on my own (although I may again need help threading the machine!).  I left the final step for home since sewing on buttons to act as a closure did not require the sewing machine.

My final products are not necessarily very pretty, but they are mine, and I made them!   As I am typing this post in a Dunkin Donuts, I am trying out my finished product for the first time on a cup filled with a medium size, Girl Scouts Trefoils Shortbread flavored, skim milk latte.  (As an aside, it is REALLY good. I usually go for unsweetened flavors and add just a little sugar, but I wanted to treat myself a little this afternoon.) I brought each of the three cozies with me and tried them each on my coffee cup to see what felt best for today.  (I was the producer of a tiny coffee cup cozy fashion show on my little table here with me as the cell phone camera paparazzi.) I decided to use my original creation. I can see some loose thread, uneven stitches, and rough material edges, but IT WORKS GREAT! I will likely keep one (since I did make three after all) in my purse for random coffee runs, and, every time I use it, I will remember that I went out of my comfort zone and tried something new.  It will be more than the caffeine which will make me smile.

Update: Since sewing these, I have kept one in my purse (the yellow one specifically). I have used it on a regular basis. Everytime I am out and get a cup of coffee (this is usually from the doctors’ lounge after doing hospital rounds), instead of using the available cardboard sleeve, I use my personal cozy instead! I love using it!