Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Being Renewed

One quick note: Jennifer at Runner Girl Fabrics is offering my readers a special discount through the month of September. Your purchase will receive a 10% discount. Yay! Just enter the promo code, HANDMADE, at checkout.


When I think about my mother and her sewing machine I usually refer to it as "the machine she avoided sewing on". It wasn't just that her machine was difficult to work with. It was. But she just didn't seem to enjoy the process of sewing. She deeply admired handcrafted items, but I'm not convinced that she loved crafting them herself.
Nonetheless, she came from a crafting background, associating sewing and knitting with her own mother who passed away when she was only 10. When she did sit down to sew, she had a little ritual that she remembered from my grandmother. It may even go farther back in our family, but it was definitely something my grandmother did. As my grandmother was cutting a pattern, but before she made the first cut, she turned to the intended recipient and said, in Hebrew, "Tidchadshi"(phonetically: TEED-KHAD-SHEE). It literally wishes that the recipient be renewed by the item.
Despite her ambivalence about sewing, my mother always said that word as she began cutting a pattern. I'm convinced that if, under threat of assault, she were to sew today, she would still say that word. And I say it as well, even if I'm making something for myself or giving a handmade item to a friend. I like the idea that you can be renewed by something hand crafted. It elevates the process of making to an act of healing.
I'm happy to live in a time when appreciation for the handmade is on the upswing and there is so much information and inspiration available. I love having the opportunity to share my designs, especially ones that encourage us to create for those we love.


I've got two designs in this year's issue of Quilting Arts Gifts. It's great that the focus of this special issue is making for others. I realize the release is timed primarily for folks to make Christmas gifts, but when they asked to include my designs I wanted my contributions to relate to my own winter traditions. So, I made some Hannukah coasters, pieced to mimic the letters on the dreidel.


Oh, and I designed a scarf because everyone needs those.


I made a similar scarf a year or so back and my friend, Terry, really seemed to like it. My plan is to give this one it to her.


And hope that she'll be renewed by it.

21 comments:

trentsky said...

That's beautiful, honey! I can't believe you've never told me that story before. Thanks for saving up these little surprises. :)

Eila said...

Beautiful! :)

Victoria said...

Beautiful post. I don't have special words that I say before beginning, (although I love that idea of ritual) but I always try to create in a spirit of joy and contentment with the intention of that energy being infused into the work and passing onto who ever ultimately owns the piece. And congrats on another great magazine feature!

Lisa said...

Wonderful post! and I bought the magazine all ready!!

ilovebabyquilts said...

Sweet story!

Deven said...

What a beautifully written post. A joyous legacy to pass on to your daughters & granddaughers. Thank you so very much for sharing.

Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge said...

What a fabulous post! Congrats on having your handcrafted items published in such a wonderful magazine! They are lovely!

Andi said...

May we all continue to be renewed by the handmade process!!
Shana Tova for next week!!
Tidkhadshi!!
Andi :-)

two hippos said...

Beautiful. I love your take on the nin, gimel, hey, and shin. Very inspiring and so nice to see a fun, modern chanukah craft idea.

The Calico Cat said...

Ack... I only noticed the gimmel after you said that you included the letters. When I looked at the magazine, I said, "What is hanukkah about coasters?" (I guess it needs to hit me like a blue & yellow freight train.)

Anonymous said...

malka...
l'shanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim to you
and your family!

love the hanukkah coasters...
-tante leah

Anonymous said...

I love the scarf design. Would love to make on myself!

Kathy said...

Such a nice post. I too am glad that appreciation for handmade goods is on the upswing. What a beaunful tradition your mother had. thank you for sharing.

Shelli said...

When my Bubbe, z"l would buy me something, she'd say: "Tidchabshee," "wear it in good health."

Mazal Tov on making it into print!

Peggy said...

I already bought the magazine. I did it as soon as I saw the coasters and cannot wait to make them even thought I am not Jewish.

Cora said...

Lovely scarf. I've made a few myself.

Anonymous said...

Just bought the magazine and can't wait to make one of the scarves!

susan said...

what a neat tradition...sometimes when working on a project you need all the help and guidance you can get.

Lasso the Moon said...

You are being published all over the place. Your book is on my wish list. Can't wait to read it! Keep inspiring.
Anna

Sally Deck said...

I finally got a copy of Quilting Arts and your coasters are beautiful! I can't wait to make some!

vesna said...

excellent!!I will try to do something like this for myself ;)