Tools Show Up When You Need Them

I am in that place I land in just before a big teaching trip where I am so worried about preparing for my classes that I can’t do any sewing. This also happens to coincide with me wanting to make something to wear to the Bernina party scheduled for the Saturday evening of Sew Expo. If I get my handouts and class supplies organized early next week, I will allow myself to relax a bit and think about making something to wear to the party. (I have some ideas.) Otherwise, I’ll save one of my favorite me-made outfits for that evening. No doubt, there will be some over-the-top creations on display.

I joined the Cashmerette Club this month because I wanted the Wyman Sloper pattern:

I started watching Jenny’s video yesterday about how to use the Wyman Sloper, and I am looking forward to finally being able to create a dress for myself that fits. I’m starting to recognize that tools show up when I need them and—more importantly—when I am ready for them. I have had the Upton Dress pattern for over a year and thought I would start with that one, but I’m glad I didn’t. I think that would have been an exercise in frustration. I needed that bodice sloper class with Joe Vechiarelli last year at Sew Expo. I needed to learn that I have to lengthen a typical bodice pattern by 2-3". I needed to figure out where to place the bust darts. I needed to realize that I have a high hip curve. I needed all that information, and I needed to synthesize it, before I could start something like this.

I also needed the failures. The failures have taught me as much, or more, than the successes. But now I have that information, and this pattern and the process make so much more sense to me now.

This is the part I love most about teaching—helping students get over all the hurdles they would encounter trying to teach themselves something and getting them on the fast track to that “A-ha!” moment when it all comes together. I know how excited I get when I arrive at that place, and I want others to know that same excitement.

**********

I picked up my new glasses yesterday afternoon. Wow. I have had an ongoing problem ever since I got progressive lenses. I don’t need correction for my close-up vision, but the ophthalmologist kept insisting that there wasn’t anything he could do about that, so if I needed to read or do close-up work, I’d have to take off my glasses.

The husband and I lucked out with the optician who was helping us choose our new frames. When I told him that the doctor said there was no recourse for solving my close-up vision issue, he offered to tweak the prescription a tiny bit. I put on my new glasses yesterday and he handed me something to read and I didn’t have to remove my glasses. (Why isn’t he the doctor?) Last night, after dinner, I attached the fringe to a prayer shawl and watched TV with the husband and wore my glasses the entire time with no issues.

I still look like a nerdy librarian with my glasses on, but at least I am a nerdy librarian who can see properly.