Patty Rose Design

The 9-Year Dust Ruffle

This dust ruffle has been 9 years in the making.  I hesitated over the last 9 years to have any bedding that wasn't dog proof.  Having my little monkey nesting with me was always my choice over fancy bedding that couldn't take the wear and tear.  Dogs will be dogs after all.  It was always an absolute requirement to scratch and paw the blankets into a nest before circling several times and then flumping down with a heavy sigh.  I guess after all the work of getting the chosen sleeping spot to his perfect liking, the sigh was necessary.  Fancy comforters didn't hold up well to dog claws and the unfortunate happenings of sometimes upset little doggie bellys.  That seemed to be a normal routine for us, freshly washed bedding = upset tummy.  It never failed.  Good, old-fashioned quilts could take the repeated washings and the nesting antics. 

So now that he is gone, I finally got around to sewing the dust ruffle.  Our bed has a very short drop so purchasing one would not work.  Besides that, I was spoiled long ago by custom.  It took me an entire day to make it but I love the way it turned out.  I am still partial to handmade quilts and I don't see that changing, so I still snuggle with the quilt that my mom made me a few years ago.  And to me, a comfy bed is not complete without a homemade afghan at the foot.  Old-fashioned yes, but cozy and comforting nonetheless.  Now that my little monkey isn't there to cuddle with, comforting is even more important.  I miss that little dog, my heart aches for just one more sigh.

 

Weekend Project

Finally after two years, I've gotten drapes back up in the living room.  We took them down to paint and I was just going to whip up a new treatment....  Fast forward two years and I can check them off the list.  On to the master bedroom and sunroom.  Hope that doesn't take two years!

I used heavy weight fabric in two different patterns.  I then sewed the two fabrics together and trimmed the seam with velvet ribbon, buttons and silk flowers under the buttons. 

Here's a closer view of the ribbon and button detail.  I'm very excited to have this project behind me and am pleased with the final result!

Therapy with a Bonus

As I am sitting in my sewing room working on my new quilt, I'm asking myself, what possesses someone to cut up perfectly good fabric into little squares, just to piece it all back together again?  It seems like madness, but then as the pattern for the new quilt starts to emerge, I pat myself on the back, glad that I haven't truly lost my mind.  In addition to the beauty and workmanship of the quilt and the added bonus that it matches the room and fits the bed perfectly, I find the quiet time soothing.  Working on all of these projects is just my way of keeping my sanity.  I can feel the stress melt away as I force myself to slow down and focus on each step of the process.  There's an actual dialogue that occurs within me about not rushing the process and paying attention to the details.   "Slow down, take your time, let's do this right."  It's amazing how this quiet time clears my mind and allows my thoughts to organize and allows for clear priorities to take center.   I remember Grandma's old adage, "idle hands are the devil's workshop."  No fear of idle hands with all of our modern conveniences and busy lifestyles, better to fear not having a moment to think.  Let's call it therapy with a bonus.