Summertime in Texas

Summer came early this year. Its been Texas hot, only it started earlier than its supposed to. We know we will have to deal with 100+ degree heat for at least 10 -20 days a summer, but when it starts in early June, you know you're in for a long one. Every spring, I can't wait for the last frost so I can plant my many containers of flowers and foliage. I dutifully water every day, even as it gets hotter and hotter. Finally, during the dog days of August, I give up and let the Texas heat burn them up, unwilling to subject myself to the daily sweat soaking you get from the 10-15 min it takes to water them all! This year, I am determined to prevail. I have begun working out every morning. When I am finished, I rinse off with a quick dip in the pool. This morning, instead of hurrying back in doors out of the heat, I took my towel and sat on the edge of the far side of the pool in the shade. Suddenly, I became aware of a distinct sound. It is the sound of summer in the hot dry southwest. The sound of cicada bugs in the trees. The sound took me back to my childhood, and hot, dry afternoons in Arizona. I relaxed, and began to splash my feet in the water, revelling in the moment. Suddenly, the 100 degree morning didn't seem so bad! I began to actually see the beauriful garden around me, and the home my husband and I built to raise our children in. I noticed the beautiful little blue flowers under the tree I was sitting by. I watched a butterfly enjoying a trumpet vine flower. I looked up into the huge blue dome over me and gave thanks for my life and family and home. Finally, reluctantly, I gathered up my towel and returned to the house and the chores therein. I know some people don't like the sound of cicadas. but for me they are the sound of carefree childhood summer!

Families

I'm back in my sewing room after a short family vacation. 19 years ago, I married my soul mate. I had a 12 year old son. He had a 10 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. I read somewhere that it takes 7-1o years to put together a blended family. We definitely found that to be true. The kids are all grown and gone, now. One is married. One is married then divorced. All are college grads. One lives in Maryland. One lives in Austin. One lives with his wife in Dallas. We all met in Austin the day after the 4th of July. There is this FABULOUS water park just south of Austin called the Schlitterbaun. We spent the whole day there. What fun! The original part of the park is built into the hillside along side of a river under grand old trees, so the lines for the rides are in the shade. Also, the rides may take you right into the river. Maybe the highlight of the day was when my husband and our oldest son decided they were tired of bumping their bums on the bottoms of the rides so they were going to ride the raging rapids on very small child size innertubes. We all tried to tell them the tubes were too small, but to no avail. Sure enough, they couldn't stay sitting on the tubes! Finally, they came bumping down the rapids, sitting on one tube and holding on to one or 2 others! It was hillarious! I am sooooooooo glad our daughter (who lives in Maryland) had the idea that she wanted to do this. On the way back to the hotel, our oldest remarked that for a little while, he felt like he was 13 again. I said this time it was way better than when he was 13. Back then, I felt soooooooooo responsible for everyone, that I couldn't really enjoy an outing like that. This time, I could just relax and enjoy it. It was soooo much fun!!! I want to go again!!! Love you kiddos!!! And next time, we'll START on the scary rides!!!

Seeking the Holy Grail

When I semi-retired from Nursing about 8 years ago, I returned to sewing with much enthusiasm. Having obtained a Top of the Line sewing machine and serger, I wanted to learn to use them to the maximum potential. I also felt that since RTW is so available and basically affordable, that in order to make it worth my time and effort, whatever I sewed should be at least as good or better than something I could by at an upscale shop. To that end, I became immersed in trying to get the perfect fit. My husband refers to this as "seeking the Holy Grail"! I tried 3 different computer programs for pattern making with varying degrees of success, but was never really happy with the results. With one program I actually had the perfect pants. Then the programmer upgraded the program and with the upgrade, the pants were broken. Unfortunately I had gained wt and could no longer use the pattern I had obtained. I tried another popular program. I printed out a semi fitted top. Out came a square, boxy shirt with darts. I then printed out a fitted shirt. Out came the same boxy pattern, just with HUGE darts. Maybe I didn't give it enough chance, but to me these patterns have very little sophistication. I prefer Vogue!!! Then I did some beta testing for a new program just starting out. After spending a year and a LOT of money and still having nothing to wear, I decided to learn to alter patterns and maybe even make my own to fit. So I went to Oregon and took fit from Palmer/Pletsch. I learned a lot and came back with several patterns ready to sew. I am continuing to learn and explore and experiment. Much of my blogging will be about that, I am sure!
Over this last weekend, I ran across an article in Threads, Nov 2006 about shoulder fitting problems. I used their suggestions, and taped a piece of gridded paper to the wall. Although my husband was less than excited, he did assist me by tracing around my shoulder line! I then attached this to my cutting table. Now, theoretically, I can lay a pattern on this, matching up the neck and center seam and be able to alter the shoulder slope to fit mine. One more tool to use in the search for the Holy Grail!!! The picture to the right is Vogue pattern V1021 which was fitted to me at the Palmer/Pletcsh school.

Welcome to my sewing room!

I'm Joy. And this is my sewing room. I started sewing in Jr. High school. I sewed almost all my clothes in High School. After college and a short lived first marriage, I supported myself and child as a nurse, which left little time for sewing. A couple of years into my second marriage, we bought a new home. We couldn't afford custom made drapes. Out came my old friend, the sewing machine! It was a simple, very basic machine. It did a straight stitch, a zigzag and a basic buttonhole. It had an all purpose foot and a zipper foot. But it made some beautiful drapes! Finally, in 1999, the old machine died. Off I went to replace it. I really had no clue what to look for in a new machine, but I stumbled into a shop that sold Vikings. I test drove the Designer II, and could NOT believe how EASY it was to sew on this machine. Of course, I left the shop with one! The next summer I retired from Nursing after 25 years. Then I really got back into my sewing. I added the embroidery module and a serger. As all the children left the nest, I took over one of the bedrooms, and eventually moved my sewing room to the bonus room at the top of the stairs. I talked my husband into letting me take a 4 day seminar in Portland, Oregon to become a certified Beginning Sewing Teacher with the Palmer/Pletsch method. I came home and imediately taught my beautiful DIL to sew. Then I started another class with my next door neighbor and another friend. I am currently looking for more new students to begin another class. I also returned to Portland to take a course in Fit.In the mean time, I am adding to my sewing room and to my knowledge of sewing. One of the things I love about sewing in the 21 century is the wealth of info on the internet. I have learned much from others blogs, ect. I love seeing what others are doing, and love getting feedback when I post something I have done. I don't know if anything I have to say is all that important, but I hope maybe I can inspire someone with my musings. To that end, I will begin my blog. I hope you will enjoy! I do have a frequent companion in my sewing room. Let me introduce you to my cat! Maj spends most afternoons in my computer chair. If I want to use that chair, I have to perch on the very edge! Maj and I will try to share with you on a regular basis, what we are trying, doing, succeeding, or failing at! Talk to you soon! Oh, yeah, if you would like to take sewing lessons, Email me at joyrhall@gmail.com.