Ed lost the rise button on his chinos, not a special pair, just one he does yard work in, but he fulmed, so I said I would sew it on and he didn’t have the button so I went to the storehouse of sewing stuff I have accumulated (and inherited from Ed’s household) for the past 40 or more years. I have used items from this stash maybe 15 times in all those years, mostly to sew buttons, or a rip in seams on which I use “the invisible stitch” a friend taught me in 1957.

I do not really sew but my needle skills are careful and precise when I focus. What I don’t do at all is use a sewing machine, and, of course, since I don’t have one, I don’t think I ever will.

What got me thinking is what do I need with dozens of buttons, rick-rack, basting strips, and a hundred or so spools of thread that must be carefully stored or turn into a mess? I have a vintage sewing box that opens out like an accordion (probably European, from Ed’s place). Also a couple of cardboard hatbox type boxes with stuff. It’s no wonder we are choked out of space.

Anyway, I found a tortoise shell type button, not an exact match, and it was the only one out of a hundred that even came close, and these are work pants, so I am using it. Ed will be stunned that I am doing this at all, and well he might be. Something’s come over me.

I might well have to expand my skill set since the sewing woman who took over Susan’s Island Tailor Shop charged $10 to shorten by two inches each, spaghetti straps on a new top. That’s the last time I buy anything with non-adjustable straps. She charged Ed $12 to shorten a pair of new pants he brought her. I think the straps job was priced too high. If any of you, disagree, feel free to say so. She was rude enough to suggest that maybe I was used to Susan’s prices (as in, what a dope she was). I did say I never paid attention to what Susan charged, except one when she charged too little so I upped the ante myself.

So today I am home maker. Don’t get used to it.

zx, Teal