The new RN mag just had an article that sewing, knitting, crocheting and such reduce stress significantly and suggested taking some kind of needle work to do on breaks at work to lower cortisol levels BUt my question is who gets breaks, I usually use them to get caught up on charting

rew; I never figured out how to use the threader. I just thread the old way.

Sewing may lower heart rate as a sewer needs to be calm to avoid being prick by the needle.

And speaking of sewing. Two weeks ago my daughter came home on Wednesday and announces that her step brother is getting married on Saturday and can I have her new dress made. (He was supposed to get married in may and I promised to make her a new dress) Well sucker that I am I said I would try. We fitted the pattern Thurs night after my micro class and she cut it out Fri PM. Well I had minor surgery on Fri am. (just a fatty tissue removed from my head) and was awake Fri afternoon so I started it. I took the top of the dress out 7 times before I got it together right and by then it was midnight I did take some breaks and did not sew all that time but my goodness never has it taken me so long. Well then I put the skirt on and hemmed it fixed the sleeves a couple of times and because the material frayes easilyl I overstitched all the seams. At 4:00am she had a new dress to wear to the wedding. BUT i have yet to get a picture of it. Mothers what can you do. my daughter i admit, is spoinled rotten but the dress came out beautifully. Thankfully she has no more step siblings to get married.

sandy: you are a dedicated mom AND dedicated seamstress.

I don't know how to sew...but a few years ago I taught myself to knit, and it has been such a great way to de-stress! The only things I can make are scarves and beanies (which don't really help now that the weather is warming up here in SF,CA), but I still make them as a way to unwind at the end of the day.

Oh, trust me...my first dozen or so attempts at a scarf returned something that had a ton of holes and barely resembled anything someone would actually want to wear in public! (Of course, I gave my first one to my mom with the promise that she would also get my first scarf that actually looks like a scarf).

Crocheting is easier I taught myself by buying a child's book it had little chubbie child hands lol Knitting I tried off and on for years till I found someone to show me I still perfer crocheting

scgle says ...

I love to quilt and make soft scupture dolls. Just don't have any time right now with school.  I just walk by my sewing room, which is stocked with fabric that would qualify as a fabric store, and say some day I'll see you again!!!!!!

Susie

Lucky you! I am so jealous that you have a sewing room. Mine is my dining room table. LOL!