can you hem my…

I know we all have these things that we are asked to do because we sew…There are things I will not do…like, hem anything…I actually pay to have my own dresses shortened…and the only hemming I ever did was my Dad’s pants way back when…but..sometimes you get asked to do something really cool and different…like fix a flag?  A 20′ wide flag??? I am assuming it was 20′ x 40’…I did not measure it the other way…

My brother Mike is a volunteer fireman for Little Chute-WI,  (the little town I grew up in back when the population was 5260-ish???)…and he volunteered my services to “fix” the flag…since the local alteration place has gone out of business…they were taking care of the “Little Chute Flags”…yes there is more than one…I was just told I will be getting another tomorrow…that one can wait a bit…cause I guess the “fixed” flags last awhile…

I trimmed her off….

Ironed some fusible web and folded her edges and sewed her back up…”this is my best..”Betsy Ross” pose…lol.
It took four of us to fold her back up…

Look how big those stars were…

and back she went in her container that was labeled…flag bucket.

I will get a pic of her hanging the next time I drive by…

The whole thing probably took a little over an hour…time well spent and glad I could “help”…but the answer is still NO to hemming anyone’s pants…

My best…LB

 

56 responses to “can you hem my…”

  1. Sue Gray Avatar
    Sue Gray

    Labor of love, I’m sure. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Quilting In The Country Avatar
    Quilting In The Country

    I have 10 sewing machines, and when asked to mend something. I reply that my machines will not mend, I bought quilting machines, not mending machines.

    Reply
    1. Teresa Avatar
      Teresa

      That is hilarious, I need to remember that one. I too refuse to hem pants

      Reply
  3. Stephanie Woodward Avatar
    Stephanie Woodward

    I don’t hem pants either, except for my 4 ft 10 inch daughter. And I don’t see for other people, I can’t get done what I really want to do.

    Reply
  4. sewwritecreations Avatar
    sewwritecreations

    Oh, I can SEW relate!!! My hubby’s pants and shorts are always too long.. I’ve actually heskd his hemming for over 2 years at a time!! Our stock joke is, “If I only knew someone that could sew…” said in the most forlorn voice I can muster…

    Reply
  5. ronda926 Avatar
    ronda926

    that is amazing and great that you fixed their flag! great job and how fun

    Reply
  6. Judy Burton Avatar
    Judy Burton

    Love it. You will be blessed for your kindness.

    Reply
  7. Carol joswick Avatar
    Carol joswick

    Way cool Miss Lisa….xoxo

    Reply
  8. Marsha Avatar
    Marsha

    Me, too! I don’t hem…..it always seems to be stretchy fabric (like sweat pants) or jeans. Not my thing! Nice job on the flag! I would have said yes, too!

    Reply
  9. Donna Roh Avatar
    Donna Roh

    I’m sure Miss Betsy was smiling down on you !

    Reply
  10. Valerie Geib Avatar
    Valerie Geib

    The flag is great, but hey, I want to see a close up of that ring! Wowsa! 😍Is it new?????

    Reply
  11. Nyla Dominguez Avatar
    Nyla Dominguez

    Good for you! It can be rewarding and fun to sew/repair something different. I love repairing well loved stuffed animals and their clothing for my grandchildren. Makes me feel kind of like the toy repairman in Toy Story.

    Reply
  12. Kathy Roloff Avatar
    Kathy Roloff

    A worthwhile effort and an honor to do it. I break out in hives when I get asked to do a tee shirt quilt.

    Reply
  13. Sandie F Avatar
    Sandie F

    Kuddos! And such an easy fix since there was “size” requirement to meet and meant so much to those guys…we sooooo appreciate their hard work, no matter where we live!!! And yes, that ring is a kuddo to Nick I’m sure? Good job on both accounts!

    Reply
  14. Synthia Noble Avatar
    Synthia Noble

    I’m very smitten with our American flag. I have real sorrow when I see a ragged flag flying….looks so unloved and disrespected. Thank you for repairing the flag for the fire department. I feel you also did it for our whole country and even for me. 🙂

    Reply
  15. Pris Phillips Avatar
    Pris Phillips

    This is super cool!! Thank you for fixing the flag! (I don’t hem anymore either, tho I used to hem jeans for my son’s friends back when they were in high school.) Hugs from Idaho! ❤️

    Reply
  16. Karin Avatar
    Karin

    Well done! Any word on when you may get to the setting for the Triangle Gatherings blocks? I kept up–a major feat for me–and would love to finish it. Thanks!

    Reply
  17. Robyn Gatti Avatar
    Robyn Gatti

    What a labor of love…and such a special thing to be asked to do…I have one question though…what happened to the piece you cut off of the flag? did you have to burn it? I’m just curious…

    Reply
  18. Ina Hacker Avatar
    Ina Hacker

    You not only helped someone in need which is admirable. You did a service for your country.

    Reply
  19. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    That was such a nice thing for you to do!! I once heard that asking a quilter to mend is like asking Piccaso to paint your garage!!!

    Reply
  20. Janet Avatar
    Janet

    How cool!!! Good for you ! Jmh

    Reply
  21. Nancy Conn Avatar
    Nancy Conn

    Good to see you were able to do your civic duty🤗!And just because we sew, people think we can do everything! Remember at Primitives yeats ago a guy brought his motorcycle shirt for me to tack the collar down!?!

    Reply
  22. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Totally agree!

    Reply
  23. Barbara Nelson Avatar
    Barbara Nelson

    You get the Washington award for best seamstress of an American flag!

    Reply
  24. jean f Avatar
    jean f

    interesting decals on your machine… reminds me of the decals on the old OLD singer machines! Did it come with the decals or did you do it?

    Reply
    1. lisabongean Avatar
      lisabongean

      We sell them..,
      https://www.primitivegatherings.us/shop/product/14281-day-3-tattoo-elementz-dragonfly.html

      Reply
  25. Doris Dogs Avatar
    Doris Dogs

    I have a flag pole in my yard so am familiar how the flags get torn. I sew over the bottom seams before hanging which makes them last longer. Probably not an easy option on such a large flag. Frankly I’d rather hem a pair of pants!!

    Doris Dogs ________________________________________

    Reply
  26. Marianne Snowden Avatar
    Marianne Snowden

    I feel for you, Lisa, but so far thankfully you only had to do a couple!!! The shop I worked in in Illinois got tons of flags from the VFW or city or somewhere and we had to do the same. Tedious work but for a good cause – I applaude you!

    Reply
  27. Jane Whiteman Avatar
    Jane Whiteman

    A few years ago Trillium Quilt Guild, Sister Bay WI. had a guest giving a workshop. We were all busy with machines when a fireman entered with his fire coat that needed mending. Our guest repaired his coat during her lunch break. Incidentally we meet at the fire station.

    Reply
  28. Lori Albrechtsen Avatar
    Lori Albrechtsen

    Amen! I get so annoyed when people ask me to alter their clothing, like I’m a seamstress and I work magic. Not. I do my best to avoid it and politely decline. I DO, however sew Boy Scout Merit Badges onto sashes for boys if asked by their moms. That is something different. Kinda like your flag fixing. I think it’s an honor. Glad you could help with that flag. Makes you feel good to serve others in such a way. ❤️

    Reply
  29. flyawayjil Avatar
    flyawayjil

    Good to see you making your patriotic contribution, Betsy. I think I want some of those decals 🇺🇸💫

    Reply
  30. Linda Smith Avatar
    Linda Smith

    You are a good sister and patriot!!!

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Reply
  31. Ellen French Avatar
    Ellen French

    Very good of you, Betsy!

    Reply
  32. anita Avatar
    anita

    Not flag related …. just wanted to tell you again how fabulous you looked at Road. BUT …. I do love my flags, have repaired many of them myself. God Bless America!!
    Anita in California

    Reply
  33. Peggy Hostetler Avatar
    Peggy Hostetler

    Thanks for helping keep our beautiful flag flying untattered.

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Reply
  34. Janet O. Avatar
    Janet O.

    Love the Betsy Ross pose. 🙂
    I don’t love doing it, but I DO hem pants, and mend jeans, and lengthen housecoats, and whatever else my brother with an invalid wife, and my 88 year old Mom need done. Everyone else is on their own!

    Reply
    1. lisabongean Avatar
      lisabongean

      Your are a lot nicer than me!!!

      Reply
  35. Sue Avatar
    Sue

    This was a labor of love for sure. I also hate when someone ask me to hem anything or even sew on a button. Quilter’s just don’t do things like that. I used to make men’s dress pants and suit jackets until I really got into making quilts. Now that is all I want to do.

    Reply
  36. Lynda Avatar
    Lynda

    What a good feeling that is to fix our amazing flag!

    Reply
  37. Felice Gokey Avatar
    Felice Gokey

    This is awesome:) Love the surroundings you sew in! I’ve been asked countless times to hem things…most of the time I’ll do it since it goes quickly. But I do tell people that you wouldn’t ask Picasso to paint your garage….so don’t ask me to mend/hem! Happy Sewing and thanks for sharing:)

    Reply
  38. Cynthia Wood Avatar
    Cynthia Wood

    Great that you did a great repair. There is only one way to fold a flag. Google it or find a boy scout troop to fold it for you before you return.

    Reply
    1. lisabongean Avatar
      lisabongean

      I get that Cindy but I bet this flag has never been folded properly… the isn’t enough room to even spread it out

      Reply
  39. Mary Pat VanSchyndel Avatar
    Mary Pat VanSchyndel

    Hey Lisa, are used to work for my sisters company in Green Bay called Fly Me Flag. It’s located on Ashland Avenue just east of Lambeau field. They sell flags , poles and tons of accessories. They do mending on all types of flags for tons of companies in the area. Just thought you could pass that on.

    Reply
    1. Mary Pat VanSchyndel Avatar
      Mary Pat VanSchyndel

      I meant to say I

      Reply
  40. Marty Avatar
    Marty

    I’m found mending U.S. flags a few times annually ~also a Norweigian one!

    Reply
  41. Laurie Shain Avatar
    Laurie Shain

    I’m gonna practice that..no I don’t do hems….no I don’t do zipper replacement (kill me) …no I don’t want to alter your wedding dress….you don’t have enough money. A flag? You got it! Great job.

    Reply
  42. Sharon Ernst Avatar
    Sharon Ernst

    I think that’s admirable, Lisa! Anytime we can save a flag representing our country, it is so worth it! And I hate hemming pants too!

    Reply
  43. stitchinggrandma Avatar
    stitchinggrandma

    Thank you for helping repair a tattered flag! No, I don’t hem pants either, but I would have not said no to that job either.

    Reply
  44. Rae Overson Avatar
    Rae Overson

    Sometimes it the little things we do for our country that matters. 🇺🇸

    Reply
  45. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy

    Thank you for your labor of love to our US Flag that holds great pride for many of us. Remind your brother to bring the flag in when its raining/snowing as it is not suppose to get wet. Yes, it is a chore but done in honor of our flag. By the way, pink is definitely your color! You look so cute.

    Reply
  46. Marilyn Holder Avatar
    Marilyn Holder

    Your effort just breaks up the day! Lucky to have hands to help fold……great pic at the sewing machine.

    Reply
  47. Judi L. Avatar
    Judi L.

    Nice job on the flag. However, I’m really interested in the top you are wearing. Did it come with the “thumb” hole or did you do that? Looks like hand warmers with sleeves. I need that! My hands are always cold, but, as they say, “cold hands, warm heart”.

    Reply
    1. lisabongean Avatar
      lisabongean

      I shop at titlenine.com

      Reply
  48. Vicki Avatar
    Vicki

    LOL. I agree! I am asked to fix stuff all the time. When i say no thank you – people are not happy. I have found that my family are the worst followed by church family for making demands on my time and talents. Left to them, I’d not have a free moment to call my own! Gotta love ’em!

    Reply
  49. Sue Arndt Avatar
    Sue Arndt

    Brings me back to my home screen teaching days. Every so often the custodian would bring in a tattered flag that I would gladly repair. It always good to do favors for the custodian- he did so much for me!

    Reply
  50. mary h Avatar
    mary h

    that post made me laugh, as my daughter- in- law had just said- I have a little easy project for you- hemming a formal dress! (ugh) I agreed even tho I hate the idea of messing it up and the fabric is slippery.
    Lisa, I see you have your Juki in a cabinet. Can I ask what brand the cabinet is and how do you access the bobbin area without that flip up door of the table the machine comes with? Do you pop out that clear insert or? Thanks for any info.

    Reply

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