Overheard at Joann Fabrics

I eavesdrop when I am in fabric stores. Sometimes it is unavoidable—why do people find it necessary to have cell phone conversations on speakerphone in public places?—and other times it just happens. I don’t listen to personal conversations, but if it has to do with sewing and I think I might be able to help, my ears perk up.

I was in Joann Fabrics yesterday when I overhead the manager and a young woman conversing at the cutting table. The young woman was considering buying a serger and was asking about the different models. At one point, she said, “Do you offer any serger classes here?” (they don’t), which was my cue to walk over and say, “I teach serger classes. Maybe I can help you?” The manager looped me into the conversation and we spent the next 20 minutes talking about sergers. I am of the opinion that people need to start where they are most comfortable, and if that is with a $200 Brother serger, start there. I used a $300 Juki serger quite successfully for eight years before I upgraded. I’ve had several students with Brother sergers in my classes and they are fine starter machines.

After a bit of discussion, this young woman said that she was most interested in making baby and childrens’ clothes. She already has four kids under the age of 6 and is pregnant with #5. I said to the husband that she probably doesn’t have time to take a shower, so I wonder how she is going to find time to sew, but she looked determined. I gave her my cell phone number and told her to call or text if she had questions. She bought this machine:

One of the new Joanns employees was also in on the conversation, and I chatted with her a bit, too. She graduated from the University of Montana with some kind of degree (art? home economics?) that included a focus on sewing, and she’s currently working with the Whitefish Theatre Company in their costuming department.

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After I got home from town, I finished two muslins. One was for Butterick 6754—the basic shell blouse that I decided to make one size larger using the C-cup pattern pieces. That worked perfectly. It is now big enough in the shoulders but still fits well in the bust. I also ran up the New Look 6225 raglan blouse, which is very similar to that See & Sew pattern I like. I think I prefer the See & Sew version. That one has a neckline facing. The New Look pattern has a simple bias bound neckline and I don’t like it as well. It is still an option, though. Both tops were made up out of clearance polyester charmeuse from Joanns.

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I’ve got a bunch of paperwork and miscellaneous tasks to take care of today. I’d also like to pop up to sewing at lunchtime and visit with some people. I don’t think I’ve seen Robin or Sarah since before Christmas. I had the copyshop print the Olympia pattern for me when I was in town yesterday and I’d like to get that one traced so I can try it out.

I was awakened at 1:33 am by thumping and banging noises on the porch. I woke up the husband and we went down to see what was out there. The two male cats were fighting again. I am baffled as to why they find it necessary to fight on our porch. Also, what could possibly be worth defending here? An unlimited supply of gourmet mice?

The little deer shows up every morning. I tell her that she has to wait until afternoon when I feed the chickens to get her ration of sweet feed. She is usually back here right on time.

Lily Chin is on a month-long knitting cruise to South America and Antarctica. I am thoroughly enjoying her Facebook posts about her adventures. It is a Craft Cruises cruise—that’s the same company that hosted the Alaskan cruise that JC Briar and I taught on in 2009. (So long ago!) I really enjoyed that cruise, but I am not sure I could do an entire month.