Come Stitch With Me

This lovely little lady is 1934 Singer Featherweight school bell edition. If you look to the lower right of the sewing machine, you’ll see a silver plate. This is the bobbin tension device. It was dubbed a school bell because…well…it’s supposed to look like a vintage school bell. Yep, the bell’s missing here. It screws on the business end of the screw you see sticking out. School bells were made from 1933-1935 and are considered highly desirable by serious FW collectors.

I like to visit area estate sales for vintage sewing notions and kitchen ware – especially Pyrex. Normally FWs are prominently featured in an estate sale ad. Not this one. I just happened to be there because a couple of sewing friends told me about the massive Pryex collection for sale.

All I can say is that is the stars certainly aligned for this transaction to happen. After I looked over the FW, I left to go research options for replacing the missing school bell. If I could replace the missing part and if the FW was still there when I returned, it would be coming home with me – provided the FW was eligible for the 50% off last day discount. It was and the estate sale rep even took off an extra $50 to pay for half of the school bell replacement part.

A sewing machine repair shop label on the bottom of the machine indicates she once lived in the Tampa, Florida area. The cobwebs on the box and peanut butter like grease stuck on the gears tell me she was sitting in someone’s attic or utility room for quite some time. The sewing machine’s actually in great condition other than being extremely dirty. Her case is a hot mess on the exterior, but sturdy, clean on the inside and definitely restorable. BTW, she also sewed beautifully right out of the box.

I’m going to put my FW skills to work at servicing/cleaning the machine and restoring the case. The missing parts have already been ordered. We’ll see this 1934 FW gets flipped or I keep her and sell Jane to a FW restorer who’s looking for a 1935 transitional to repaint for client.

Anyway, this will project keep me busy and engaged for the next couple of months – exactly what I need right now! Inflation is putting the squeeze on everyone. Parents are definitely cutting back on extracurricular activities. I’m still teaching private sewing lessons/sewing classes, but it’s about half of what I did last year at this time. The profit from selling either of the FW machines will help offset not teaching as many sewing classes.

Familiar with this song by Kenny Rogers? Well, the stock market craziness right now does not mean it’s time to fold ’em. The market moves in cycles and this week’s market shenanigans are but a blip on the radar of your long-term financial plan. Assuming you’ve worked with a financial planner and/or you have a sound asset allocation in a mix of investments that are appropriate for your stage in life, you will be OK.

Turn off the TV and social media.

Go back to your quilt cave, stream your favorite audiobook, podcast or YouTube video and get busy quilting. Make a kid themed quilt to donate to a local charity or pillowcases for Ryan’s Case for Smiles. Challenge yourself to use only the supplies you have on hand.

Keep your hands busy with EPP, embroidery and cross-stitch. Learn how to crochet or knit. Take your laptop to your quilt cave and learn some new features about EQ8 or your Cricut (or other cutting machine).

Organize your fabric and notions stash. Set aside unwanted items to pass along to a young stitchy friend or add to your guild’s free table at the next meeting. Coordinate 3+ yard bundles (I do 1.25 yards for each fabric) and set them aside, along with your favorite 3 yard quilt pattern(s) from Fabric Cafe. This makes a great grab & go project for sew days or to add an easy project to take to a quilt retreat. Not familiar with the popular 3 yard quilt patterns from Fabric Cafe? Visit their website and download the current freebie pattern, (which changes on a regular basis).

You can always pull out your quilt themed deck of cards – play solitaire or enjoy a fast game of crazy 8’s with the kids/grandkids.

Remember, you will be OK.

Each potential retiree’s situation is different. There are so many moving parts at play in figuring out the best options for you and your family. Knowledge is key. Reach out to your district’s HR dept, TRS and SHBP as needed. Working with a financial planner is also very helpful.

Gather your information:

1. Visit the TRS website and set-up your account, if you haven’t already done so.
2. Attend a one day pre-retirement workshop offered by TRS.
3. Read and bookmark the TRS Member’s Guide. Other helpful information can be found on the TRS website under the Newsroom tab.
4. Watch and bookmark the SHBP Retiree Educational Video about health insurance options after retirement and what your options are in case you need to leave before your official retirement date.
5. Bookmark the Retiree Page on the SHBP website.

Key things to keep in mind:

There are two health insurance pricing brackets for retirees. Know which one you fall under.

Whoever you want to cover under your health insurance in retirement needs to be on said insurance before you retire. Add them during Open Enrollment before you plan to retire, if necessary.

If you plan to leave early, know that you have to keep the SHBP insurance continuously in place for it to follow you into retirement. COBRA/State Extended Coverage isn’t cheap.

For me, attending a pre-retirement workshop was the catalyst that made me realize leaving early was possible. The slight bump in my monthly pension check if I stayed two more years simply wasn’t worth it. Health insurance was our sticky wicket. Once we figured that piece out (and how to fund it), it was my choice to stay or resign. One month later, I resigned and left at the end of my contract. We’ve enjoyed two wonderful years that we wouldn’t have had if I’d kept working. It was absolutely the right decision for us and would not have been possible without continued access to SHBP insurance.