Come Stitch With Me

This is the question I am often asked when I run into friends and acquaintances I haven’t seen in a while and they learn I retired from teaching early. This actually happened yesterday at a local quilt shop when I ran into two AMQG members I hadn’t seen in ages. They tried to guess the reason: the kids (no), the parents (partly), the school system (partly), the politicians (yep) and money (no). Personally, I grew weary of unrealistic expectations, school and district level dysfunction and teachers being blamed for all of society’s ills. I worked at one of the most challenging schools in my district for SEVEN years. By the end, I had nothing left to give. I simply couldn’t do it any more. One of the counselors even told me his hat was off to me as he didn’t think I’d last when I first arrived in 2015. The more I hear about all the mandates coming for the 2022-23 school year, I’m so thankful I was able leave my job at the end of May. More confirmation I made the right decision.

The next question I’m invariably asked is – will you ever go back to teaching? Psst: I never stopped teaching. I stopped working for the local school district. I still teach: (a) in my home sewing studio (b) at quilt camp (c) READing visits with Sadie and (d) as a guest in other educator’s classrooms. Every day I learn of more volunteer opportunities that will utilize my teaching skills – as a reader for Georgia Library Service for the Blind and as a part of Clark Howard’s Consumer Action Team. I even consider writing product reviews and tutorials for this blog as teaching activities. I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning and the (legal/ethical) sharing of information. Knowledge is power and levels the playing field. With so much stuff on the internet behind a paywall now, this is one reason I consistently advocate exploring the resources available at your local public library.

My time spent at quilt camp did make me realize two things: (a) there’s no way I want to return to a full-time job unless I absolutely have to and (b) how much I detest ATL traffic. Quilt camp weeks aside, I want meaningful volunteer activities that happen a couple of days a week with the rest of the week for family, friends, quilting and whatever else I want to do. This, along with a hefty side of travel thrown in, is my current version of the “ideal” retirement. What’s yours?

At Quilt Camp and other sewing classes where the museum’s Brother sewing machines are used, a container of supplies is set out next to each machine. Here’s a picture of the contents list affixed to the underside of a lid:

(P.S. I did the same thing in my previous job with all teacher literacy kits that were checked out through the media center!)

This list is a good starting point to assemble your own class/travel kit.

I would add the following items to the box:
Small purple glue stick
Thimble
Needle threader
Needle puller
2-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ ruler
White water soluble marking pencil
White/lightest gray thread available (gray thread in container is medium to dark gray)
Wonder clips
Washi tape roll
Wooden point turner
Exchange traditional pincushion for a magnetic one with glass head pins

I would omit the following items because chances are they would already be housed at a central cutting station or another item in the kit would fill that need:
Glow tape
Binding tool
Rotary cutter (only for kid’s sewing boxes)

When I teach a kid’s class, I use small color coded buckets that contain a magnetic pin cushion, glass head pins, wonder clips, seam gauge, measuring tape, small Fiskar scissors and a seam ripper. Multiples of other supplies listed above are kept in a community sewing box. Machine feet, extra needles, bobbins and screwdrivers are kept in a separate community sewing machine box. I find it easiest to teach if all students use the exact same model sewing machine, which is what the SQTM does. Next best is machines made by the same manufacturer, which is what I do in my own studio. Currently, my student machines are made by Janome.

This week I volunteered as a mentor to a rising 4th grader at quilt camp sponsored by the Southeast Quilt & Textile Museum in Carrollton, Georgia. It was very worthwhile and exactly what I myself envisioned doing in retirement. My little mentee was so excited about the thought of returning next year to make an even bigger quilt!

I will gladly do it again, although next time, I’ll opt for the a.m. session. Traffic was a beast this week going late mornings. One day, I actually spent more time commuting than I spent with my mentee. Yes, the cost of gas was a consideration given the 90 mile roundtrip each day. However, it was totally worth it to me. Besides, the $65.00 I spent on fuel to volunteer will benefit others more than spending that $$ in a quilt shop on stuff I don’t need.

My mother did suggest I think about turning the week into a mini-vacation for myself – stay somewhere local Tuesday & Wednesday nights and commute the rest of the week. She has a point. I would love to spend a couple of afternoons exploring the downtown area and nearby lakes.