Eduspiration

As I take a break from sewing and absolve my mind from thinking about work, because I need to remind myself that I am indeed on vacation, I can’t help but muse on my sewing journey. While my first sewing machine was a “toy” from my mother one Christmas when she kept singing “máquina de coser” as my clue to what she was gifting me for Christmas, my first machine in adulthood was a Brother i7000, an inexpensive one I bought for $103 on Amazon in order to make masks and learn to quilt. Once I got the hang of the machine, I expanded my repertoire from masks, to quilts, to pouches, to bags, but I have yet to sew clothes apart from basic mending and hemming. As a child I designed and sewed clothing for my Sindy doll, the British version of Barbie. I aspire to design and sew adult clothing one day, just as I would love learn Sushiko, Japanese quilting. That has been on my bucket list, and I thought this summer would be my time for that and machine embroidery, but my career took precedent with the upcoming Advanced Placement Summer Institute followed by the New York Public Library residency. Thinking back on all my projects, though, I have my favorites, most of which were gifted.

A jelly roll sizzle quilt, gifted to a guidance counselor who used it in her daughter’s play pen; she said her friends all asked where she got it, and she would boast it was one of a kind.

I have always marveled at how well the quilts withstand the test of time. I am always careful to check for imperfections after washing and before gifting them. Sometimes I take so much care that it takes me what feels like an eternity to complete projects. Like the enormous quilt that turned out to be an oversized king I made for my husband, I dawdled “four winters,” as he always chides. It was quite easy to piece the blocks, intimidating to adjoin them to the panel, yet far too daunting to quilt such a large project in one go. Still, we were both quite proud and happy with the final result.

My first large and ambitious oversized king quilt.

What gave me the patience and practice to endeavor more complicated projects were kits and templates. I used cut my own log cabin quilts, for example, but soon discovered Jordan Fabrics sold precut kits. I experimented with a few to practice sewing them effortlessly, efficiently and expertly. My favorite will always be the black and grey one I made for my son one Christmas.

What I’ve learned over the past few years, which has become more poignant lately, is that practice produces expediency and expertise. When I was at my old school, during Teacher Appreciation Week, I would make pouches and bookmarks for all my students who wanted one; it was easy because I would mass produce them, cutting in bulk and chain sewing for expediency. I would always have extras. However, lately, I’ve embarked on more complex sewing projects and more ambitious ventures, professionally and personally, so I no longer have the bandwidth or the time to continue this practice. In retrospect, this practice taught me precision.

Chronicling my sewing ventures as I approach the last crucial years of my teaching career has led me to be more conscious and introspective. I love teaching, almost as much as sewing. I especially love a challenge. This summer feels quite formidable in that I have so many projects that feel like stepping stones yet look like boulders. Initially, my first craft market was one of the rocks I surmounted; next up are the APSI and NYPL residency. In the meantime, I need to finish my custom orders, complete unfinished projects, plan for the next school year, and remember to decompress since I am on summer vacation.

I will definitely feel accomplished if I achieve all my goals for this summer, but I am realistic enough to hold off on what cannot be done. I learned already I can do anything but not everything. So, I’ll work slowly at my craft, knowing that I am improving though I may not realize it in the moment. I’ll give myself grace as well, because even if I have to putt off some of my goals, this will be a summer to remember for all that I will accomplish, even if I have to continue projects during the school year. Rome was not built in a day, and neither was the world.