Come Stitch With Me

Bet you thought I was talking about twins or triplets!

Well, in a way I am.

I mean investing in duplicates of commonly used sewing notions and outfitting each work area with essential items to help improve productivity and save your sanity.

For example, I have 3 magnetic pin cushions – one at each of my two sewing stations and one at my cutting table. I’m debating buying a 4th one to keep in my rolling sewing machine tote.  I already have a travel notions bag that contains items I simply don’t want to be without at a retreat or while teaching a class. Now that I am teaching classes 2-3 times a month, I’m slowly adding duplicate rulers so I can merely grab and go.  One thing that I can advise is to mark all of your items with your name or some identifying mark like decorative washi tape. Good quality sewing notions aren’t cheap and you don’t want to lose your favorite pair of scissors or 12-1/2″ square ruler.

I am also going to do with with my make-up bag. A couple of weeks ago, we had to go out of town to attend a funeral.  My toiletry bag was carefully packed and hanging in the bathroom while I put on my makeup that morning before we left. It was still there when I returned 2 days later. No makeup, no toothbrush, no nothing. I was able to borrow a toothbrush and made do with my host’s shampoo and soap. The only makeup I had with me was a pressed powder and lipstick. Fortunately, I had a hairbrush and lotion already packed in my suitcase. We were also in a very rural area with the nearest shopping 45 minutes away. It’s not like I had a drugstore 1/4 mile up the road like I do at home. Sheesh!

After all this time, you’d think I’d remember how hectic the first month of school can be.

Nope.

The past three weeks have been a blur. I’ve done nothing but eat, sleep and breathe school. No time for gardening, housework or sewing. Thank goodness hubby was away at an ATA tournament the past 10 days. I’ve managed to keep up with the laundry, but the fridge is empty and my tomatoes need to be harvested.

So tomorrow – Saturday – is a “no-school and no-computer” day for me. I will piddle to my heart’s content around the house – run errands, iron clothes, fill the bird feeders, tend the garden and S-E-W.

I have some biz things to make and some pants to hem for me. The hemming is important because those pants represent an effort to achieve BALANCE.

You see, the kids at my school have to wear a uniform. After much thought, I decided that I needed a uniform, too.  So, a business casual look – a jewel neck rib knit 3/4 sleeve top with khaki pants – it is. My niece sells Premier Jewelry, so I’ll be accessorizing my uniforms  with some style. It might seem a little casual to some folks, but I crawl on the floor to fix computers, squat down to shelve books and sit in a rocking chair for storytime. (This outfit also works quite well when I teach sewing classes or meet with quilt clients.) I adore skirts, but they don’t work so well in my line of work. A v-neckline is definitely more flattering on me, but the jewel neck means I don’t have to worry about flashing my cleavage in front of a fifth grader or parent.

My first installment of uniform tops arrived today – courtesy of an end-of-season sale at Belk’s. Pants are from Eddie Bauer that were purchased last fall (and have been sitting in the to-be-hemmed pile ever since – my bad!).  The end goal is to streamline my morning routine so I can ease into my work day. Things definitely do not go better for me if I am rushed.

Yes, school in these parts starts back God-awful early.

Our summer was cut short due to an adjustment of the yearly school calendar.

The good news is we’ll be completely done before Memorial Day next year.

The bad news is it’s early August and I’m seeing way too many pictures of my friends at the beach and lake on FB and IG. They don’t start school until after Labor Day. 😦

Sewing-wise, I am working on a mosaic quilt, pillows from a bridal gown and a family wall-hanging featuring clothing/pictures from all 6 grandkids for a special couple. Some pattern editing to come, but this year’s start to the school year has been much less hectic than last year’s.  Thank goodness!