End of an Era

 

     After teaching sewing for over twenty years and hundreds of students, both kids and adults, I have decided it is time to retire.  I will definitely miss the kids.  It has been 'sew' much fun to see them go from being afraid of the sewing machine to sewing garments for themselves.

     I will spend more time with the grandkids, sew more for myself and do a little sewing for others. I still hope to sew pillows and cushions for others.  I plan on still taking classes and maybe join a quilting group.

     I am headed to San Francisco at the end of the month for the ASG Conference.  Looking forward to learning new things and doing some fabric shopping.

     Here are some photos from the last month of teaching.

Ellie and her coin purse

Emma and her hoodie

Maya and her skirt

Ximena and her pajama top

     Ellie did one last quick project on the last day of camp, a coin purse.  She learned one technique for sewing in a zipper and how to add stops when you cut off the other ones.  Maya finished her skirt.  She did persist in the hand sewing which she didn't enjoy but it looks great.  Emma finished her hoodie with a zipper and in seam pockets.  Ximena didn't quite finish her pajama top, it still needs hems, but like she said it still works to wear to bed.  She did need to add a contrasting band because she didn't have quite enough fabric.

Colton and his journal cover

Maggie and her journal cover

Racine and her jumpsuit

     I did have a one day 'camp' Finish it Up.  Racine was the only one who signed up but my two oldest grandkids decided to come also and make some journal covers.  Racine worked really hard on her project.  It had a lot of pieces to cut, she had to sew bias tape around the pockets and collar, she learned how to sew buttonholes for the tabs that would hold the rolled up sleeves and she sewed on buttons and had to do a zipper.  Whoa, that is a lot for a first project after finishing up the 12 Avery Lane projects.  

     I'm sad but also excited as I head into my next adventure.  I enjoyed my nursing career and my sewing career.  Now on to my retirement/grandkids career.