Now that I am once again driving into work 5 days a week, I am pretty much “done” by Friday night, or “all in” as my British friends might say. Working from home for the past 5 years meant that I got more sleep, eliminated the stress of commuting, and had a LOT more work/life balance. The change has been a challenge to say the least! Last night I met up with family to share a fish dinner (it’s that time of year again, and we are blessed with a LOT of Friday Fish options around here!), followed by some ice cream, and then home.
It was a lovely evening, but by the time I got home, I was ready for my pajamas and my bed! I was talking with my sister, who lives out of town and so was missing from our get-together, and we were sharing our gratitude for it being the end of the work-week, and discussing our next craft undertaking.
I had finished my stash-busting poncho, made with Lionbrand Jeans yarn (Retro color) and had started a pocket scarf with yarn I already had (more stashbusting!), but wasn’t feeling like knitting at that moment. She was in her sewing room, making cloth eggs since that season is fast-approaching, and we got to talking about how we could make these for the little ones in our family as small gift holders in the Easter season. We’re not BIG celebrators, but small remembrances for the little ones have become the norm.
She found the pattern for these items last year, and we each learned the process (simple and straightforward), used up some of our fabric scraps, and pronounced the project a success! As we chatted, I found some of the prototypes I made before, and we remembered getting the fabric together at Joann’s. That brought up a whole OTHER conversation, and we ended up chatting away while we both cut and sewed more eggs.
We have done this a few times before (sewing together virtually), and the wonders of modern cellular and WiFi technology have made those conversations more fun, more connected, AND productive!
We brainstormed which sizes to make for which kids, and reminded each other of our discoveries last year on the fabrics, techniques and approaches that worked best. Earlier that day I had texted her a YouTube video by Tim Totten, so we discussed how his techniques made a couple things simpler in our approach to these whimsical creations.
By the time we signed off and I headed to bed – where I ended up knitting for another hour – I had made another egg in the SMALLEST pattern size, and she had completed work from a couple sewing sessions (pictured at the bottom of this post), the stress of my work week had dissipated, and I was at peace. I was feeling a happy contentment. After all, a lovely evening with elderly parents, and grandchildren (daughter and her family) followed by some crafty chat with my sister. I didn’t have TIME to ruminate about my work week!
As I drifted off to sleep – my faithful companion snuggled in beside me and purring – my phone alerted with a text from my sister, and a photo of her finished pieces. I fell asleep thinking about the inverse proportion of joy that we both gleaned from a phone call and some fiber scraps.
It is often repeated that the best things in life are free, but that misses the key point in the intended sentiment. The best things in life are often SHARED. They are also, very often, simple, non-flashy, unimpressive to an external observer, and quaint.
Quaint: pleasingly or strikingly old-fashioned
While my sister and I have both made things that were definitely NOT quaint, our shared joy around these little projects hearken back to our mother’s sewing when we were little kids, as well as our grandmother and great-grandmother who were prolific fiber artists.
Today’s undertakings in fabric and yarn seem to take on a whole DIFFERENT meaning as we often engage in these activities to smooth the rough edges of high-tech life as working professionals. While at first glance it seems that the quilts (pieced from old aprons, dress shirts, skirts, dresses and more) that we used as children and inherited as adults; the sewn pajamas, crocheted vests, and other items were created with more of a “utility” focus, we don’t truly know how their creative activities landed for the creators, personally.
Judging from the research I have read around crocheting and knitting, the casual conversations I have with fellow local crafters, and my own experience (along with that of my sister); I suspect that in decades past, when there was NO CONCEPT of self-care, therapeutic activities or similar engagement, our grandmothers knew instinctively that these things added something positive to their lives. Maybe that’s why the simplest and least flashy of my projects bring me the most deep satisfaction and joy.
At a time of increasing national and global uncertainty, which always brings additional unease around financial stability, it’s comforting for me that I am able to share simple things like sewing fabric eggs from leftover scraps with my sister, and to knit with yarn I “rescued” last year (from the local Center for Creative Reuse) with my cat on my lap. The JOY from engaging in these activities is strengthened with a sense of resilience – passed down from generations of crocheters, knitters and sewists in our family tree.
When the news cycle causes concern or worry, I grab some fabric, yarn or other supplies, and crank up some crafting energy! AND,… whenever possible, I hangout with a fellow creative or two (or more!). It’s a prescription for peace, happiness and a reminder that I have some skills.
You do, too. Apply them generously to life!
(C) 2025 Fiber Harmony
(( pattern for fabric eggs can be found on the page of the YouTube video by Tim Totten, linked in the post – toward the top. Enjoy!! ))
Fiber Harmony (Stitch 'n Dish) 