May 08, 2007

It's a Good Thing

I'm going to say something controversial. I love Martha Stewart. That's not always a popular choice especially among people who aren't as interested in homemaking as I am. I'm often compared to her & called Martha by people who make it sound like it is not a compliment. I love her style and her ideas and the ideas of the brilliant people that work for her. She is not perfect but neither am I, so I forgive her and I'm happy to buy her books and magazines and all of the beautiful new products at Michaels and please, for the love of all things domestic, bring back Martha by Mail!

This is the sewing machine cover I made this weekend from these directions from Martha:

Keep sewing machine gears dust free with a good-looking tea towel cover. Choose a cloth large enough to just drape over the machine; if it's too big, trim and hem it to fit. Next, cut four 14-inch pieces of cotton twill tape. Sew a double 1/4-inch hem at one end of each. Fold over the opposite ends 1/2 inch, and pin them to the cloth so that when the cover is on the machine, the ties line up on both sides; stitch ties in place. Drape cloth over sewing machine, tying twill tapes to secure.

39 comments:

  1. All those people are just jealous that they can't create a cozy home! I love Martha too altough I only now her from her website and how to videos. Wish we could buy her new line over here too! Carol xox

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  2. Jen, love your sewing maching cover. I'm a Martha fan as well. My husband and I subscribe to her Everyday Food magazine and love it.

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  3. I'm not sure that I would like Martha personally, but I admire her very much & I love her ideas (or should I say, her staff's ideas?).

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  4. I agree with Carol - those who don't like her I think are just jealous. She's a brilliant marketer and she and her entire team have changed us all, whether you're a fan or not. She's been a revolutionary in the field of homemaking, cooking and entertaining. I know I'm a much better homemaker than I was before I "met" Martha!

    I love the towel you've chosen - the subtle blues give it a vintage loveliness!

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  5. Love this post! I *heart* Martha too!!!!

    Your cover is fabulous!

    Cheers
    Kari

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  6. How cute, Jen! I'm not a huge Martha fan, but do think she is the one who really started the domestic craze & thinking about home projects. She's got great style & her houses are just gorgeous.

    RHoda
    Southern Hospitality

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  7. I adore all things Martha too. If only she would bring back her "kids" magazine. Nice cover.

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  8. Nobody calls me anything except my name, but my husband does get called Jedediah at work. Somehow that is supposed to be teasing him about his "Amish wife". I don't hear any complaints though when I send in cheescakes and cobblers to work with him.

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  9. The sewing machine cover is so cute.
    This is so weird, I had a dream last night that I was talking to Martha Stewart. I guess I went to sleep, thinking about her new line of crafting items.
    Rosemary

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  10. I really miss Martha by Mail too. If Victoria magazine can come back maybe Martha will reconsider. I love your blog!
    Rachel

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  11. Martha always inspires me...and now you have nudged me to get busy on a machine cover..

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  12. I LOVE Martha Stewart, as you say, who's perfect?
    When we were planning our wedding I managed to get a copy of Martha Stewart Wedding, it was my bible, I took it everywhere, it was a HUGE inspiration to me. I think I've still got the copy in my wedding box!
    Love the sewing machine cover.
    L x

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  13. love this. love your blog. your honesty is cool too (i bet most crafters have to read her magazines in the closet). kidding about that last one.

    i might just do the same thing for my machine...

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  14. That is just darling! So simple too!

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  15. I love Martha, too. You're not alone. :)

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  16. The sewing machine cover is a great idea (I did it too) and I also get called Martha as well!! Tonight I am going to Michaels to look at her new Scrapbooking line :-}

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  17. I love Martha too. Thanks to her, it is okay to be a domestic goddess.

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  18. Martha almost singlehandedly brought back the pleasure and importance of making a home beautiful--sometimes I wonder if we'd have so many wonderful home decor and crafting blogs today if it wasn't for her and her work in the 1980s and 1990s.

    I'm an especially big fan of her Everyday Food magazine...and her craft collection at Michael's is definitely a good thing!

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  19. Great job on the cover!

    I like Martha. I don't aspire to be her, though - I just don't have the talent. But I appreciate hers.

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  20. I love Martha too, and her brand. I feel that I trust anything she puts her name on, and I admire her ability to make homemaking an beloved and important art. Most people who like Martha are homey types, so I always feel a kinship to anyone who mentions their adoration for her!

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  21. What a neat idea, and pretty, too! I like Martha, also. I have several of her books, and had some of her VHS tapes at one time (loved the Thanksgiving one!).

    Who among us is perfect? She has some great ideas...

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  22. I happen to like Martha too!! I may not like her personally, who knows. But she presents good ideas and I repect her ability to turn homemaking into a multi-million dollar business. I like the sewing machine cover too, how handy.

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  23. What a neat, easy idea for a cover! I'll have to try that. I've got some adorable vintage towels, too. I love to visit your blog and see all that you've been up to ~ xo Dawn

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  24. I have been a Martha fan for a very long time. I think we have Martha to thank for making it "okay" to enjoy being a homemaker.

    I miss Martha by Mail as well, but I really wish they would bring back Martha Stewart Kids magazine!!

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  25. Oops, forgot to mention what a great job you did on the sewing machine cover. I love it!!!

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  26. You know what? I LOVE Martha and I'm not ashamed to say it. She validated my desire as a little girl to be an apron clad mommy who loves to nest and garden. So there. Good for you. It's your blog.

    And love the cover. Ca-yute!

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  27. I just love your cover, that is such a pretty towel. I need to learn to use my sewing machine so I can make one too! :)

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  28. I have nothing against Martha, I think she's an amazing business woman. And she has fabulous home-keeping ideas.

    Great sewing machne cover! I've been trying to figure out how to make one for my serger. This would be perfect, and have tons of vintage dish cloths and tea towels.

    By the way...you've been tagged. That is, if you haven't been hit with the "7 Weird Things" yet.
    I had trouble finding anyone who hadn't already been tagged. LOL
    See by blog for details.

    Kimberly :)

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  29. I have to say, I love Martha Stewart, too!
    Martha - but not THE Martha. :o)

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  30. I love Martha too! The sewing machine cover is just perfect, so much nicer than the awful little plastic ones that come with the machine.
    You should be so flattered that people call you 'Martha', others call me that all the time, (that, or 'Anthea' Turner, she is mad, but a true domestic goddess). I just smile and say "why thank you very much"
    Victoria x

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  31. I like her too. She does more than I'd ever want to do but I don't think she intends for everyone to be over the top like her. She puts everything out there so that one can take what they need and leave the rest. :)

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  32. I'm a Martha fan too! Her new Michael's line is so cute and I read she's going to have food at Costco! Your sewing machine cover is very cute! Yes, and bring back Martha by Mail.

    Manuela

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  33. jen,
    i'm so glad you love martha too. i do as well and sometimes get those looks too. i don't care she is great! i read your blog everyday and just love it. of course fridays are so fun!!! thanks for the inspiration.

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  34. I am sorry to tell you that i am not that familiar with Martha, but i have heard about her.(maybe because i am a Norwegian) I think it is a very good idea and gave me an idea for my own sewing machine, so thank you for the tip!!Love the colours :)

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  35. I love Martha too! And Pottery Barn. Both things some people turn their noses up at. What can you do?

    I love your sewing machine cover - so lovely!

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  36. ps
    I like Martha's stuff at K mart too.

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  37. I'm a Martha fan as well. The lady I work for bought me the Martha Stewart homekeeping book for Christmas since she knew how much I liked her. I really like the sewing machine cover.

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  38. I love Martha! Always have! Now, if I had a sewing machine...I would love your creative little "cover up"...so cute!

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