Dear Jasper and Kestrel,
While traveling in Denmark, I had a hand-sewing project to keep me occupied when my tourist muscles were tired. I started sewing on it at the Portland airport.
Being stuck in waiting areas is less frustrating if I have something useful to DO. So this made me very happy, stitching bits together and feeling the fabric grow under my fingers.
As I worked, I realized the fabric was getting thick, almost feeling like canvas. Was this going to work? Or was I accidentally making a brick?
Once I was in Denmark and finishing up, Liza helped me find fabric for the lining and drawstring loops, in the form of a kitchen towel from Bilka, the buy-everything store. I managed to get everything sewn together and lined. Usually, I would do this part on the machine. But hand-stitched was the way to go.
The loose weave of the towel was challenging, and felt very bulky. My confidence was slipping.
But once I got it stitched and all together (even with the weird narrow opening), it was, indeed, a functional bag.
It has two different colors of drawstrings, one made of an orange shoelace and the other a stitched length of seam binding.
It is odd and quirky and Liza knows that, like her, there is nothing like it in the world.
I am glad that I got it done and was able to leave it in Denmark where it was intended to be.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 