I've made progress, however. Now when something breaks my first instinct is to ask the boyfriend if he can fix it. And if he can't, well, then I move on to, "Oh great, now I have to buy another one." Baby steps.
Luckily for me the boyfriend is handy. He's fixed more things than I can remember around here, saving me boatloads of money and stress. Plumbing, mowers, cars, holes in floors, even the washer were no match for The Boy. The last washer repair was quite impressive. He replaced the belt and pump and it's working like a champ again. I was sure it was a goner. He even blogged about it in case anyone out there has to make the same repair.
Being able to repair your own stuff not only saves money and helps the environment, it's a major confidence booster as well. Today I managed to save my duvet cover from an early death all by myself! (cue my 'I'm a big girl now' smile).
I noticed my comforter had a rip in it the other day, one that my go-to solution (iron-on fabric tape) could not repair. The final nail in the coffin was an unsightly staining incident (gotta love cats!). I was pretty sure that if I tossed it in the washer without repairing the rip things would only get worse. My first thought, of course, was to go to IKEA and pick up another since it's not an expensive cover. But something came over me and I decided to try and salvage it instead. Now, I'm not exactly known for my sewing skills. The last time I sewed something other than a button was in my junior high home economics class. Still, I managed to repair the (admittedly small) rip by hand, and, surprisingly, it doesn't even look half bad! Then I attacked it with some Shout stain remover (I'm sure Shout is toxic as hell, but it has impressed us to no end with the stains it has removed from fabric) and washed it and voila, it's almost like new again.
What's the last item you saved from the dump by repairing it?
Socks (temporarily, of course).
ReplyDeleteI'm currently working on how to refashion a 1980s men's shirt in a nice fabric into a cute woman's shirt and/or a tea towel or some napkins or something. Lots of old shirts and boxers are getting cut up into squares for a quilt.
I like your baby steps! And this big one.
I bow to your superior sewing skills Debbie!
DeleteI hope it is a very small bow. My sock repair was just your basic overhand stitch, not real darning. "Working on" refashioning has so far consisted of a) looking at the shirt, b) asking my friends for ideas at a craft party (and getting none), c) thinking that it has too much white to become a potholder and probably too much to become a tea towel, d) pulling out a shirt I have that, if I could copy the design, might work and e) setting the sample shirt on top of the other one.
DeleteMy most exciting thing was a clothes washer repair I learned from googling. One site helped me diagnose the problem; another helped me find the part.
My most jealousy-causing thing was when I traded dining room tables with my neighbor--he wanted the smaller one and I wanted the (scratched up) wooden one. I sanded it down and somehow found a matching stain, so it looked awesome when I was done. If you didn't look too closely because the sander I bought sucked and put gouges into the table until I switched to one of those things that looks like a sponge with a handle and just used my own wimpy human power.
I also went to this little workshop offered at the local university on how to repair books, and the answer was almost always glue. (With maybe some waxed paper between the pages to keep them from sticking together before the glue dries.) I always thought the answer for torn pages was tape, but no. I haven't tried repairing anything yet, but I am keeping it mind.
I started really trying to repair things when I started my Stripper Project in January. The last thing I repaired? My driver's side windshield wiper. The rubber had separated from the frame and I crazy glued it back together. I've also been doing things with a needle and thread that I haven't done in ages, as well as plastering holes in walls, recycling plants from other people's gardens, etc. I LOVE not throwing things away - it's addictive!
ReplyDeleteIt does feel good to be able to fix your own issues. I once fixed the dishwasher - well, me and Google - and was pretty happy with myself, even if it was rather simple.
DeleteGoogle is a God send! I fixed my oven elements with Google beside - so much cheaper than a $130 service call!
DeleteI'm impressed! My sewing/craft skills are non-existent, but I am trying to repair things more often. My husband is the handy one so that helps!
ReplyDeleteThanks OG! Mine are too, which is why I was pleased this one looks as decent as it does (the side where you can see my stitches is not so pretty!
Deleteoh well done! sewing intimidates so many people and I'm glad you had a little victory with your needle and thread :o)
ReplyDeleteI can't necessarily fix most things myself. We saved a pair of really expensive shoes and a suitcase from the landfill by taking them to our local cobbler. Sure, it cost $150, but new ones would've been $200. I wish we'd been able to say the same for our fish tank stand which started to crack last week. My husband's a mechanical engineer so he can usually fix anything. But this one was beyond repair and with a 55 gallons fish tank on it we had no choice but to replace it in a hurry. It meant getting something brand new, made in China. Sad.
Good point, repairing whenever possible is good whether you DIY or go to a pro.
DeleteI can't do fancy sewing or refashion things, but I do know how to mend. So I can fix ripped seams and put buttons back on.
ReplyDeleteI want to brag on my DH: He fixed an electrical problem with our clothes washer and replaced the engine on our dishwasher. He's so amazing!
Mending is a great skill.
DeleteVery cool fix from your DH. Handy men (and women) are so nice to have around!
Knowing how to mend is very handy. And having a spouse who can fix things around the house is so super nice. Saves time and money. Plus, generally it feels like many DIY repairs are done better than the ones you hire out.
DeleteNeither Squirrel nor I are handy so it's with great pride that I tell you - we fixed the ice maker on our refrigerator together, without squabbling! I was very pleased with myself to find a parts forum with advice on how to repair things like appliances. And when Squirrel came home to find the face plate off the fridge and all the wires sticking out - he couldn't help but get involved. We feel very grown up about it.
ReplyDeleteFixing something or doing projects without squabbling is big, HUGE! Kudos to both of you Christine!
DeleteBTW - love your white room. It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks! The walls are lavender, but they do look rather white in this pic.
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