Another Project, Check!

I finished 12 cotton napkins last night! I think it took me about 2 hours total, from the cutting of the fabric to the finished result (including pre-pressing all of the hems, which took the most time). I went to the fabric store and chose three fabrics I really liked that totally contrasted with everything - which ironically causes them to go well with anything.

One was a blue/green/brown paisley, another was a creamy middle-eastern inspired pattern with blue and black circular shapes, and my favorite one has a cream background with pastel (tan, yellow, orange, green), ingenious outlines of little animals fitted together with tiny sage-colored leaves. There's a fox, a rabbit and a bird. You have to look very carefully to see them, otherwise you'd assume a low-key foliage-based pattern. I sewed very narrow hems on the napkins with a blind hem foot, which were cut to 15" square and ended up being about 14.5" square. It was a satisfying and immediately useful project, and I think a set of them would make a beautiful gift for a frugal friend. No more paper towels or paper napkins for us!

Natty brought me two sets of knitting needles and blue cotton yarn. As soon as I pick them up from my parents', I'm going to start on a set of dishcloths to replace the cheap terrycloth ones that are currently disintegrating.

I forgot to mention that, at my piano performance, I decided at the very last minute to play barefoot (the pedals were very deep and I wanted all the finesse I could muster), so I kicked off my shoes as soon as I sat on the bench, to the amusement of the audience. Then, when I lost my place after a page turn, I cursed out loud. I broke at least a couple of the Screw Up Rules that night. First off, I returned to the beginning of the phrase after a small mistake. Second, I actually spoke aloud while playing. Third, I said "damn." Heh.