a hand stitch
I have been collecting small pieces of fabric (that were about to go to the dumpster) throughout my childhood and adultish-hood… sometimes I used to ask tailors to give me their trash, yes I’m a hoarder and a waste collector. I collected all the material I had through the college days — a lot of stuff, including what I bought for my assignments or creations. Yes it’s like a huge pile of stuff. I just simply don’t like throwing things, maybe because I saw my mom repurposing stuff and never throwing it away. I always told myself that I can make something out of “the crap in question to be thrown”, to prolong its stay in-house. Somehow I never found the time or courage to go through all of the stuff I carefully stored for the past 6 years. I think it reminded me of emotions and patterns I can’t let go off. I have carried this material through cities and states of India, and was never afraid of heavier luggage. it was like pieces of crap I could never leave behind so ended up carrying it and hoarding it.
Until…this week I finally got the energy and mental capacity to look at it after 6 years… I sat down with my sister and emptied the contents of the almirah and separated things from usable to garbage-able. As people say “I’m on a journey” and could only discard what did not bring me joy any more (as per the great Marie Kondo) thankfully it contributed to at least 50% of the stuff… I’m extremely proud of being able to do that.
Yesterday I sat with all of my beautifully organized material and forgot the excuse of not having a sewing machine to start making this stationary pouch that I hand stitched… I couldn’t find one online that would work perfectly for me, so I started making one. Yes I made this pouch using fabrics, threads and a zip that was on its way to a dumpster (stuff I tell myself to feel happy about hoarding). I truly enjoyed the process of putting 9 hours in slowly building my vision- layering materials, putting together fabrics, cute little embroideries to match zipper to the bag, Aaahhhh! For the first time in a long time I was proud of every decision and choice I made. I was deep into the process to even notice the day passing by. As a kid I used to create so much out of nothing, don’t know when and why I stopped creating. As dawn ended the night the sky was filled with stars, I felt like a kid super excited of her creation.
Happy rediscovering lost parts of you, a very happy new year 2022.
to the new beginnings, cheers!
