"Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations." --Faith Baldwin
Many of you know that I sew. When I was a new mom and stayed at home and needed a hobby, I dusted off my mom's old sewing machine and started sewing baby room decor and little girl dresses. There was a lot that I had to figure out, but nap times were long and I was happy to have a hobby that I enjoyed.
As the kids grew older, I wasn't sewing for them as much, but started quilting and taking in odd jobs like sewing 50 drill team uniforms and making duvet covers and tailored bed skirts. The paying jobs gave me a bit of anxiety--getting something right for someone else, so I turn down those requests now. But I still quilt when I can--I love the creation of a quilt.
Every once in a while someone asks me to alter something for them. I do not like when that happens. I would much rather sew something from pattern to finish than alter and figure out someone else's work and fix it. I even hate to hem and sew on buttons. It's drudgery work--like housecleaning. Sometimes my girls need a formal dress made over. I procrastinate as much as possible and usually end up pulling a late one the night before, hoping it all works out. And even though it always turns out great, the process is just not fun.
My life has been altered as of late and it's not fun either. I'm not saying that I hate it and it's the worst ever, it is just taking some getting used to. It's not fun and games; it's thinking and planning and work.
The first alteration came in October when I started spending my Tuesdays and Thursdays (days off at the preschool) working at a new job. I was working 5 days a week and trying to remember when I woke up which job I was going to that day. A little bit of stress. Then about Thanksgiving time, I gave the preschool my notice and started working 5 days a week at my new job. It's a great job--I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it. But it's a change. 5 days a week is a lot more than 3 and I don't have any free time during the day to schedule a hair appointment or go grocery shopping. I have a long commute to drive and still lots to learn and get used to.
The next alteration came mid-December when my sister and her 3 kids moved in with us. She's having a rough patch and needs a place for a while. Of course we're not going to say no. She's my sister and I love her and her kids. But it's a big change. The dinner table is a tight squeeze and when we all go somewhere we have to take two cars. There's bottles to fix and diapers to change. And this was right before Christmas. I'm not saying I hate it and I'm not saying I love it. Right now it's just something to work through and hopefully fix. We're looking at the way this garment was put together in the first place and hoping that a few changes here and there will make it fit better. And the work room is my home.
It's a big alteration compared to what life used to be. I will admit, I've always been leery of change. That's a character trait I've had since birth--I still sleep in the fetal position. But life goes on and every day brings a new something whether I like it or not. The baby, 6 weeks old now, is getting bigger and when he sleeps good at night we all celebrate. We love H helping us with the dishes. And Z is turning out to be a great soccer player and is going to register for school on Monday.
We're all adjusting to our new normal. And I know we'll all survive and maybe we'll even like the new look we'll have when we're done. Right now I better get back to my unpicking.
Many of you know that I sew. When I was a new mom and stayed at home and needed a hobby, I dusted off my mom's old sewing machine and started sewing baby room decor and little girl dresses. There was a lot that I had to figure out, but nap times were long and I was happy to have a hobby that I enjoyed.
As the kids grew older, I wasn't sewing for them as much, but started quilting and taking in odd jobs like sewing 50 drill team uniforms and making duvet covers and tailored bed skirts. The paying jobs gave me a bit of anxiety--getting something right for someone else, so I turn down those requests now. But I still quilt when I can--I love the creation of a quilt.
Every once in a while someone asks me to alter something for them. I do not like when that happens. I would much rather sew something from pattern to finish than alter and figure out someone else's work and fix it. I even hate to hem and sew on buttons. It's drudgery work--like housecleaning. Sometimes my girls need a formal dress made over. I procrastinate as much as possible and usually end up pulling a late one the night before, hoping it all works out. And even though it always turns out great, the process is just not fun.
My life has been altered as of late and it's not fun either. I'm not saying that I hate it and it's the worst ever, it is just taking some getting used to. It's not fun and games; it's thinking and planning and work.
The first alteration came in October when I started spending my Tuesdays and Thursdays (days off at the preschool) working at a new job. I was working 5 days a week and trying to remember when I woke up which job I was going to that day. A little bit of stress. Then about Thanksgiving time, I gave the preschool my notice and started working 5 days a week at my new job. It's a great job--I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it. But it's a change. 5 days a week is a lot more than 3 and I don't have any free time during the day to schedule a hair appointment or go grocery shopping. I have a long commute to drive and still lots to learn and get used to.
The next alteration came mid-December when my sister and her 3 kids moved in with us. She's having a rough patch and needs a place for a while. Of course we're not going to say no. She's my sister and I love her and her kids. But it's a big change. The dinner table is a tight squeeze and when we all go somewhere we have to take two cars. There's bottles to fix and diapers to change. And this was right before Christmas. I'm not saying I hate it and I'm not saying I love it. Right now it's just something to work through and hopefully fix. We're looking at the way this garment was put together in the first place and hoping that a few changes here and there will make it fit better. And the work room is my home.
It's a big alteration compared to what life used to be. I will admit, I've always been leery of change. That's a character trait I've had since birth--I still sleep in the fetal position. But life goes on and every day brings a new something whether I like it or not. The baby, 6 weeks old now, is getting bigger and when he sleeps good at night we all celebrate. We love H helping us with the dishes. And Z is turning out to be a great soccer player and is going to register for school on Monday.
We're all adjusting to our new normal. And I know we'll all survive and maybe we'll even like the new look we'll have when we're done. Right now I better get back to my unpicking.
