A Basket Case

Me, I sew.

So when my daughter became engaged, I offered to sew a pillow for the ringbearer to carry. My wedding gown had been locked in my cedar chest for 30 years. She wasn’t going to wear it, so I figured we’d cut it up and make the pillow from it.

Elaine was enthusiastic when I explained my plan. Then, (innocently! casually!) she asked, “is there enough fabric to wrap a flower girl’s basket, too?”

My heart skipped three beats. Wrapping a basket sounded suspiciously like a craft project. And I don’t do crafts.

Determined not to disappoint my daughter, I said, “sure!” And then I set to wondering how on earth I would do such a thing.

I sewed the pillow first. As I was working on the pillow, it occurred to me that I could sew the fabric onto the basket rather than gluing it or using some other foreign technique.

I began by cutting and sewing a “slipcover” to cover the basket. As I fit the fabric to the basket and placed the tiny stitches, I decided that ribbon along the base of the basket would be pretty.

Sewing the ribbon in place, I pictured the lace from the hem of my old gown adorning the upper edge of the basket.

When I sew, I begin with an idea of the steps I will take and a vision of the finished product. Creating this basket for my only child’s wedding, I began with nothing beyond a first step. But by the time I had completed that task, the next step was clear.

I began the task before I knew how to complete it, because someone I love asked me to. Step by step, the plan was revealed to me.

7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. (Psalm 16:7-8
NLT)