When we prepared for our move to Costa Rica I knew that sooner or later I was going to want to take fabric in hand once again… and might even, actually, need to. That being the case, my sewing machine was carefully placed next to the dog crate (which we considered equally essential since we planned on adopting a dog once we were settled) to await the arrival of our shipping container.
Wouldn’t you know that moving day came and went and both items got left behind. Why is anyone’s guess and really doesn’t matter much, as the result is the same. New puppy; no crate (but luckily a shower with a sliding door). And no sewing machine. Period.
It wasn’t long before I started dreaming up projects I would undertake if only that were not the case. Throw pillow covers. Tablecloth. Table runners. Apron. New jammie bottoms exactly like my favorite ones… Not to mention mending.
When we finally came to terms with the fact that we just might have to pay Costa Rica prices ($$$$$$) for one, we started looking around and discovered that Price Smart (the Central America version of Costco) sells a mid-range electronic machine, made by Singer, for less than I could buy the same machine for on Amazon -- before shipping and duty. What a deal!
So my new machine and I have been getting acquainted for a couple of weeks now, as I prepare to tackle my long list of projects. Learning to use the machine’s features, though, appears to be the smallest part of my learning curve.
Certainly, in addition to a sewing device (machine or simple needle and thread), every sewing project requires fabric, thread and various other sewing notions, and in many cases a pattern. No problem… if you live anywhere close to a U.S.-style fabric store like Joann or Hancock. Here it’s a little more complicated.
Finding a fabric store (Tienda Telas) is no problem at all. Even the smallest town appears to have at least one and probably several. Larger towns and big cities seem to have one on almost every block. And fabric is sold not only in fabric stores. You can find upholstery fabric and vinyl in hardware stores, too.
Some fabric stores also sell thread, needles, and bobbins – but not all. So you might just find yourself needing to find a pasamanería – or notions store, especially if you also need ribbon or other trim.
Patterns? Don’t bother looking. You’ll be needing to learn to make your own (or order them online and have them shipped in). But hey! We knew this would be an adventure!!! So, I’m geared up and ready to get started. My friend, Mayra, promises that learning to make my own patterns is a piece of cake. We'll see about that.
But first I need to clean up the mess Yoda made when he ate my (thankfully, empty) pin cushion.
Pura Vida
