Thursday 4 February 2010

Sewing Strips

Photos copyright: Maggie May

In my last post I was saying that I would be resting in front of the gas fire while I recovered from chemo. Well that just didn't happen. The weather turned out brighter and it wasn't cold. This time I felt quite reasonable till day three, so I was able to get on with a few things.

My son, Sam had announced that he would be requiring a rag jacket for his Morris Dancing on May Day.
So it was with this in mind that I had bought a *job lot* of suitable colours from a Charity shop some days ago and thought that it would be therapeutic to cut them out into strips and to start to sew them on to the green shirt we were using as a base. The object is to completely cover the shirt with strips of different colours (predominately green). When dancing, the strips twirl about. Some of the dancing can look quite aggressive with sticks and poles and one occasion Sam received a blooded nose as well as various bumps to the head.
Anyway, it did turn out to be therapeutic, cutting and stitching until day 4, when the going got tough. However this time round, I didn't seem to have the chemo brain syndrome, so some things went much better.
When this jacket is finished, I have to make one for Amber, as she had to borrow one last May Day. Now she has decided that she wants her own.
Go here if you'd like to see May Day last year and get a glimpse of the raggedy jackets.

It was good to see the sun streaming through the windows while I was recovering this time round and although I won't feel really well for a few days, I know that things will improve.






34 comments:

Working Mum said...

I find it really interesting to learn all these little details about Morris Dancing. So glad you felt well enough to make his raggedy shirt and I'm sure the sunshine helps your recovery as well. Funny how a dose of sun can lift the mood!

Anonymous said...

Raggedy jackets sound wonderful! Enjoy the sunshine.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Nothing like keeping busy if you are well enough Maggie. I hope Sam likes his shirt of many colours. I love Morris Dancing.

Akelamalu said...

I've always found sewing and keeping busy thereputic too. I followed the link and enjoyed the post about the Morris Dancing - I love watching Morris Dancing it's so lively! The shirts look great BTW.

Glad to hear you're not feeling too bad. x

Unspoken said...

Wow! That is really amazing! I am so glad to hear you the sun is shing where you are. Sun makes all the difference sometimes.

Rose said...

I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling much better than after the last two rounds, Maggie! That has to be a good sign that your body is fighting back against those nasty cells. Keeping busy with handwork like this always helps to keep the mind off more unpleasant things, too, I think. I've spent the last two weeks going back and forth to the hospital to see my Dad while he recovers from a stroke (he's doing pretty well), and both my mother and I carry our bags along--she with embroidery and me with knitting. It certainly makes the hours pass more quickly. Hope this weekend finds you feeling even better!

Saz said...

Maggie you are an inspiration....it makes me feel if l ever had to cope with this kind of health problem I could cope so much better for all my friends here who are so supportive of us..we are really blessed!

saz x

Mimi said...

Maggie, I'm so glad it's going better this time.You're great!

sanjeet said...

I love Morris Dancing.

Work from home India

Bernie said...

Good for you Maggie, keeping busy through all of this....we had sunshine yesterday and it felt wonderful to feel the sun on my face again, its been far too long.
Rest my dear friend, and enjoy the weekend as much as you can....Hugs

Rosaria Williams said...

The sun always cheers me up. A raggedy shirt is interesting.

the mother of this lot said...

Maggie, you're a warrior!

Ayak said...

Oh how clever...I wondered how morris dancers achieved those raggedy shirts. Its people like you sitting patiently sewing all those scraps of material.

I envy people who can sew...I'm useless!

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Glad to hear you are feeling well enough to get on with Sam's jacket Maggie. Must be theraputic I imagine. I absolutely love watching the Morris dancers. Long may they continue and hope you continue to feeling better. A x

Maria said...

Morris dancing is something I wish I knew more about. I'll have to google it. These days we have a lot of information at our fingertips, no need to wonder about anything!

Suburbia said...

Glad it wasn't quite so bad for you this time. You are a brave lady. Spring feels just around the corner :)

Nessa said...

I wish they had a May Day celebration around here. Maybe I need to look harder. I am glad the sun was shining for you.

A Boy and His Toy

Irene said...

I'm glad you aren't feeling as sick this time, Maggie, and that you even had the energy and drive to make a Morris jacket. You are a resourceful woman. Quite handy to have a round!

Valerie said...

Two things make me thankful, Maggie, one is that the sun actually shone for you, and the other is that you felt well enough to sew. I am delighted that you are coping so well with the after effects of chemo. Hugs for you.

MarmiteToasty said...

(((Maggie))) sorry I havent been around......

do you know I ALWAYS wanted to be a morris dancer :) I think it was the thought of hanging around pubs all summer :) and all that stick bashing....

The jackets are just brill..... good job on yours...

x

Sandi McBride said...

Maggie Darlin, you know I say a prayer for your safe journey thru chemo every day. And that you are able to enjoy the gathering of materials for Sam's coat of many colors, well that says a lot. So I know God is holding your hand...and will guide the seamstress in her efforts...can't wait to see the coat! Please take pictures...
xo
Sandi

San said...

Maggie, I love this May Day custom--dancing with green raggedy shirts in the breeze. And I'm so glad this project lifted your spirits.

Things are looking up a bit and that makes me feel good for you.

cheshire wife said...

Pleased to read that you are coping better. Anything manual and productive is therapeutic.

Wendy said...

So glad to hear things are better this time round. Sunshine is a great healer! Brightens up spirits (at least mine).

The raggedy jacket I do remember from last May (once I looked back at the pic).

It's good to get your hands moving. Helps to process things.

Hilary said...

How cool is that! Even more so, I'm so glad to hear that your treatments seem to be going a bit smoother for you. I hope this trend continues. Thinking only the very best for you, my friend. :)

Expat mum said...

Glad to hear it's getting more bearable Maggie.
x

SandyCarlson said...

You amaze and inspire me. Beautiful. I hope the Morris Dancing goes well come May Day!

Mickle in NZ said...

I like the idea of a raggedy shirt, plus am relieved this time has been easier for you.

Hope the sunshine is a hint of how the weather will be in May for Sam's dancing.

Huggles and love, Michelle (Zebby is sleeping on your behalf)

imbeingheldhostage said...

Maggie, this is so cool!! I was serious when I said I wanted to head your way next time. This is something I'd love for my family to experience at least once before we're forced to move back to the states.
Could you email me some info?

I am glad this round went well for you.
J

Anonymous said...

That's amazing, really clever to attach them all on to a jacket, it looks amazing. I can see why it would be theraputic. Hope you're doing well.

CJ xx

Suldog said...

Glad to hear the chemo didn't knock you for a loop this time. Raggedy jackets sound interesting (and look interesting, too.) I should find some reason to where one over here - we don't do May Day too much - but I think I'd look good in one.

What About The Girl? said...

I remember the Morris Dancing you posted last year.
I did not realize the dancing could get aggressive to point of ending up with a bloody nose and bumps to the head? Oh no!
Does your brother Eddie participate in this tradition?

Anonymous said...

A friend of mine used to love Morris Dancing... me, I was a highland dancing champion but shhhh tell no-one!

prashant said...

Funny how a dose of sun can lift the mood!

Work from home India