Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Getting into the Sewing Groove

With the summer's heat, I find myself going through alot of changes.  One being the shifting of the types of work that I am doing.  In part, this is because of the pregnancy.  I can't work outdoors in the heat & I am having to slow down abit.  The timing is wonderful though.  The summer garden is nearing it's end.  The plants are wilting and not producing as much harvest.  I am letting the last of the harvest dry on the vine so that I can collect their seed for next year.  The temperatures are starting to ease enough that I can put the fall garden plants into the garden.   I have a sprinkler in the garden now that I can use to water each morning and late afternoon.

In the hot part of the day, as Abbie is napping, I am getting back into my sewing routine.  I am starting to get more orders as people learn that I sew from home.  I have finally come into a routine that makes the work much faster & more efficient.  Typically, I am washing & ironing all fabrics on Monday in preparation for the week's orders.  On Tuesdays, I cut out all the orders.  On Wednesday, Abbie is visiting her Grandparents all day.  This gives me the uninterrupted time to get most, if not all, my sewing done.  Thursday, I finish up any remaining sewing.  Friday, I mail all finished orders out.  Using this schedule, I am going to be able to get most orders out in a fast amount of time.

I have been working on designing and choosing clothing items that are one size fits most so that I am able to make up a ready-made supply.  Many of my home sewns however, are items for the home. 

Over the weekend, I drafted a pattern for Joe's Mom.  She needed a smock-type apron that provided more coverage than the ones found in the store.  I was able to draft the pattern and make her one.  It works great!  She was very happy with the finished apron.  I am going to be adding that to my offerings.  The smock is a front & back panel that has ties on the sides and generously sided pockets in the front.  I made it so that the panels wrap around the sides more to give much more coverage to your clothing.  I am now working on making a child sized one for Abbie.  My idea is to have matching Mother/Daughter aprons.

I am so excited about the sewing.  It is such a blessing to be able to work from home to help earn more income for our family.  It is moving us closer to our goal of supporting ourselves from the homestead.  The goal of Joe being able to come home and not have to be gone for a month at a time is becoming a reality.  Though we are not ready for him to do so yet, I can see that this goal can be met. 

I am so grateful to the Lord for His guidance and direction in our lives.  He has blessed us so much.  I pray that His spirit be with each of you.  And am so grateful to Him for leading those to me that have helped me to make the home sewing work as a way to provide some income.  Thank you to everyone who has ordered from me.  I pray that the home sewns are a blessing to you as your friendship and support has been for us.