Successful Serging

I thought the serger class went very well by my metrics, which were:

• No one cried, yelled, or threw the serger out the window.

• We were able to get each machine adjusted properly.

• Each student was able to make all three projects during the class time.

• There were requests for additional classes.

• The teacher enjoyed herself.

I had a total of nine students. Tera was there, which was an enormous help at the beginning when we were troubleshooting machine issues. We had a mix of machines—everything from a White Speedylock to the higher-end BabyLock and Bernina machines—and a variety of skill levels. Two of the students were cousins, one of whom sews but had never used a serger. She inherited a White Speedylock from her cousin, who had just purchased a Bernina. The Bernina cousin was still getting used to her machine. The White Speedylock cousin took to her serger like a duck to water. She had brought extra fabric and by the time the class was over, she had a a pile of completed projects. Every class has at least one outlier—the rank beginner who manages to absorb enough information to leave the session several skill levels higher.

I am a bit sorry I begged off on teaching in July and August. I truly do enjoy it. I know better than to overload my schedule, though. The store owner said she would fill in with a couple of basic classes on threads and fabrics during those months. I suspect the fall classes will be T-shirts and leggings (for adults) as those are what people were asking for. One of the students in my class used to be a patternmaker in her working life (she just retired to the Flathead), so we chatted after class and I think she’s going to be a great resource.

We have come a long was since my mother’s Stretch & Sew classes in the 1970s.

I mowed and trimmed part of the yard yesterday. Before it warms up again today, I need to mow out by the garden and finish what is left of the yard, but when that’s done, I plan to reward myself with some sewing. And Tera and I did some scheming last night. I think we’re going to take a field trip soon to The Confident Stitch down in Missoula. She’s never been there.

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We have a farm sitter coming over this evening to meet the animals. The husband works such long hours in the summer that we would like to have someone check on everything during the day if I happen to be traveling. This young woman is someone I’ve known since she was 3, because she and DD#2 took dance classes together. She is part of my friend Elaine’s extended family. She also has extensive 4-H experience with pigs. The husband suggested that I ask her about farm-sitting. He knows her because she is on the fire department.