Some fabric, and at least half a day all to yourself. That about sums up my day last Thursday. It was a day of revelations and courage.
Pretty strong words for a post about tablecloths and napkins.
Revelations because I finally realized I wanted to return to my color roots, aka THE LAND OF NEUTRALS. I’ve been getting tired of the reds and greens . Although I love almost all colors and at one time or another I’ve decorated with every color of the rainbow, I think I prefer color in OTHER people’s homes more.
As for courage…well, my friends, have you met my Serger?
I finally decided to give this beast yet ANOTHER try.
That, I can assure you, takes courage. The likes of which you have never seen. And this is coming from a woman who has stared down bears, had root canal sans novacaine, and once smacked a man sitting next to me on a train so hard his glasses flew three chairs over.
Don’t ask.
Suffice it to say, I’m no woos. But just the thought of sitting down with this thing leaves me cowering in fear. I’ve had it for YEARS and it has always driven me to the brink of madness. I decided it’s now or never. I would either make something with it, or throw it off the top of a roof, preferably at the Empire State building…just to make sure its demise would be certain.
It must have sensed my fortitude, because…
it actually worked! When I managed to serge a full seam without spewing out any four letter words, or the needle breaking, or the thread getting tangled, I thought the gates of heaven had parted.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Believe me when I tell you my joy and bliss was palpable. So after I whizzed through the tablecloth, I moved on to napkins, napkin rings and placemats. I was a serging maniac and soaked in every last perfectly finished edge.
I can die happy.
Now let me tell you a little bit about this table. We got it shortly after we bought the cabin nine years ago. It’s not super high quality, but it serves its purpose and I’ve always liked its round shape. I’ve been contemplating painting it a soft creamy white color and if anything drew me closer to that thought it’s when the finish was stripped a bit a couple of months ago. You know those tubes that are glow in the dark? Well, our grandson left one on the table and it leaked and this was the result.
Until I get around to painting it, covering it is a good solution. This dining area has gone through lots of changes, and I’m pretty sure it will go through lots more. No. Make that I’m positive it will go through lots more. I’m already thinking of what I’m going to do with this space next, which may or may not involve tan gingham checked drapes, matching or coordinating chair cushions, painting the table a soft white, and maybe some long overdue new dinnerware in a contrasting color. I was originally thinking of painting just the bottom of the table but unless I’m willing to totally strip the top, that idea may go buy the wayside and I’ll end up painting the whole thing.
Here’s the naked table:
In my quest to keep things light and neutral, I borrowed a cream fuzzy rug from the living room. It immediately added lightness and texture to the space which was exactly what I was going for.
I had some cute trim that I used around the edge of the tablecloth and as an accent for the napkin rings. I also made placemats with some fabric that luckily matched perfectly. (Yes, I also had both of these for years. Are you seeing a pattern here? And are you getting the fact that in one afternoon I made a tablecloth, napkin rings, napkins AND placemats? I’m getting tingly all over just thinking about it).
I made a burlap wreath last year and decided to use that in the center of the table around an organic wooden bowl, and I added some burlap ribbon for a little fullness.
Last but not least, here’s my attempt at a floral arrangement. Can you stand the mind blowing creativity here?
So there you have it.
My first attempt at making a round tablecloth. √
Using fabric and trim I’ve had for years. √
My first time using my Serger and not needing Prosac √
Life is good.
In other news…the now internet famous storage shed is complete, and it took about a New York minute to fill it. Seriously. I can’t believe all that junk stuff was in our house! As I’m typing this (on Saturday) our daughter and her hubby are flying to NY from their home in Singapore for a week. We will see her Wednesday and next Saturday, so we’re looking forward to that, but in between visits I’ll be working on a small storage room in the house that I’ve newly acquired because of the outside shed freeing up some inside space and I’ll be cleaning up a tiny little storage chest I scored yesterday which needs lots of TLC. I’m talking TSP, wire brush and rust remover kinda TLC. I’ll show you soon.
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JP says
Doreen,
What a great job on your tablecloth….you chose the perfect design and the addition of that fluffy, white rug looks amazing!
Your newest, G+ follower
JP
Miss Kitty says
Hi Doreen! I got a serger several years ago and immediately got “brain strain” when I looked at the diagram of how to run the thread through all the places on the machine. Every time I get it out, I have to re-learn it ’cause I use it so infrequently…but I love it whenever I do! Your table looks amazing with all the lovely things you have made for it. Nothing gets me so motivated to spruce up my house as much as ” company coming”. Thanks for sharing your great projects with us for inspiration!
Doreen says
I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about Kitty! Whoever writes these manuals should be tarred and feathered, or at the very least be required to take a course in basic communication skills! It’s crazy, and gives me a migraine just thinking about it!
Lavender Dreams says
Wowza!!!! You deserve to be proud! I’ve never tried to use a Serger but I know my Bernina sewing machine was a lot more complicated than the one I use now. I like to sew….when I can just get a project done. When I have to have a manual open to figure out how to use the machine, it takes away some of the fun. I love your neutrals and the rug is perfect in there. I know you are excited about your visit! Have FUN! Sweet hugs, Diane
andi says
OMG the tingliness is palpable!!! That tablecloth is freaking amazing and I want to wrap myself up in that fuzzy rug. I can feel the trim on the tablecloth dancing on my thighs as we speak! Is that TMI???? This whole post is mindblowing. Congrats on running the serger with no prozak. I would have been terrified. I can’t even get on with my cheap sewing machine.
You rule.
-andi
Brenda Kula says
It’s beautiful! And the walls of your cabin are perfection.
Brenda
Poppy says
Yeah, ‘Sometimes you just need some fabric’, yadayadayada…and LOADS of talent! Let’s put it this way: if I had some fabric and a Serger, the latter would be wheeled into surgery seconds after bobbin complications! Let’s face it: sewing an entire set of table lines in one afternoon, isn’t for sissies! Forget the Serger, YOU, my friend, are one, mean sewing machine!
Everything is exquisitely elegant.
xx
Poppy
Alycia Nichols says
Uh uh, no….I’m gonna ask! You opened that door, and now I want to know what’s on the other side!!! WHY did you smack a guy??? That is WILD!!! Even wilder that you would sit through a root canal without Novocaine!!! What is WRONG with you, woman?!??!?! 🙂
I bow to you for conquering the mighty serger! Since I’m a sewing dummy, I’m not 100% sure what the difference is between that and a regular sewing machine, but I know they’re equally daunting in my book! Your napkins and tablecloth turned out absolutely fabulous, and I love how the napkin rings match the trim on the tablecloth! SO pretty! The whole look has a soft, ethereal feel that fits right into the rustic surroundings. You even switched out the area rug…THAT’S dedication!!! I love that attention to detail!!!
Let me tell you something about your floral arrangement…it is 1000% perfect! What could be better than a nod to nature as it really is? It doesn’t always take a huge wad of fancy flowers put together with Martha Stewart-like precision to create a beautiful focal point. This single branch (or is it 2?) speaks volumes.
Sorry about the marred table. I’m facing the same dilemma with no desire to tackle the job. I’d rather just chuck the thing! But that won’t be happening since it is such a sturdy piece of furniture. God help me when I actually begin the task of stripping and painting it! 🙂 Good luck to you, too!
Beautiful tablescape, and fun post! Now….spill about the Mike Tyson moment!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Peggy @ Decorating Files says
I salute you woman! You did such a beautiful job with the sewing and the design. And this post looks fabulous – you’re photography is so professional. Not to mention you had me laughing, as usual. You should be doing the happy dance all week. 🙂
Angela says
Well look at you!!! I have many, many sewing projects I’ll be sending your way! Looks wonderful!!!! Enjoy your kids!!! Talk soon!~~Angela
Jane says
Brave girl and it was so worth it! Beautiful.
Jane x
Sue says
I so admire you for making the round tablecloth. I need to get my guts up and do one too. I want/need to paint our round table too. Love your tablecloth with the cute trim too.
Vicky Hunt says
Woo! Hoo! You go girl…your tablecloth and napkins look great! I love your table and think it will be so pretty painted. I have looked and looked for a used table in the style I want and can’t find one, so looks like we’ll be building one. Forgot to say…love the trim and the rug…so cozy! Have a wonderful week.
Blessings, Vicky
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Wow, Doreen, you are a wonder woman! How on earth did you do all of that so quickly and beautifully? I love your cabin! And, I am totally with you – I am so tired of my reds, golds and greens…I’d love to do the entire house over and go all neutral. But…that’s not happening!
Feral Turtle says
My very first sewing machine was a Necchi! That machine would go through anything. You did an amazing job on your tablecloth and napkins……gorgeous! Way to conquer your serger! They really can be a pain in the butt!
Doreen says
Supposedly, necchi is a well made machine, but whoever designed the threading mechanism on this serger should be thrown off a very, very, high cliff!
kelly says
Your new tablecloth looks beautiful! You did a great job making it. I love the trim you added to it. I bet you’ll be using that sewing machine more often now that you were successful with this latest project. I like that table and chair set too. It has pretty lines. It will look great painted as well.
Cecilia says
I don’t have a serger but have heard stories! Glad it worked for you. The table cloth is beautiful! Funny, but I have a very similar table in need of a very similar paint job! Do I wait to see how yours turns out or just jump in? Lol. Guess I’ll do it when I’ve got time (hopefully soon! In the meantime, I am grateful for my tablecloth!) Enjoy your visit with your daughter!
Hugs,
Cecilia
Doreen says
I think I’m going to get to it before January Cecilia, so if you can hang in there I’ll be the guinea pig ;).
Cecilia says
My problem is I can’t decide on a color…black? Too safe, I think. White….nope, not me. Red! Not sure Bruce would like it. So I’m thinking a soft taupe or even grey. What color are you going to use? 🙂
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
I was wondering why I was hearing the angels sing…had to be when you were sewing!!!!…..LOVE the tablecloth..and love your dining set too!!….beautiful job Doreen…and have a wonderful time with your daughter!!!…How exciting!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Although I paused at novacaine-free root canal and man-on-train-getting-slapped, I forgot all about that, once I saw your GORGEOUS vignette with the beautiful sergered linens. Loving your neutral fall room decor, Doreen. Way to battle the beast!!!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS though I came over to grab that pie recipe which I’d been thinking about 🙂
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Good morning Doreen. That turned out beautiful and you didn’t even need to be medicated. Sometimes you just feel like neutrals. I get it. Bears, root canal, jerk on a train, oh my! Ha,ha! You are a brave woman, and by the way, is there anything you can’t do?