January Catch-up

 Despite big plans, January turned out a little light on sewing. 

As of January 5, I'm working for TurboTax. Love the company and the product. I had a very intense 2 weeks of training, which left me ga-ga at the end of the day, and went live as a full service tax expert January 23. I am doing general reviews and help, as well as actually preparing tax returns virtually. The taxes were no problem, although we have all 50 states which is new, but there is a lot of other software in use, most of which was new to me, and not basic programs. I'll still be learning the ins and outs of those probably throughout the year.

Because I'm working virtually, my top half needs to be professional, but downstairs is either jeans or sweatpants. I have pulled out my collared shirts, and thankfully, our dress code requirements are more relaxed than the prior company. Nice tee shirts are okay. 

I cut out a brown tee and somehow, (insert head scratch,) got the center front about 2" larger than it should have been. Got very frustrated, and set it aside for a while, while I was mulling a fix in the back of my head. Finally the light bulb lit. I pinned out the excess, and made an inside pleat at the front neck. Hooray! It worked perfectly, and the balance of the tee got finished on a Saturday when I wasn't working. It's a lovely cotton jersey purchased from Vogue Fabrics in September of 2021. As usual, it's my much altered Pamela's Perfect Tee shirt pattern. Added some flare at the front, from bust dart to hem, and about 1/2" at the side backs, armholes to hem. We had a good Christmas with lots of sweets! 

It fits well, the fabric is really nice to wear, and is in rotation already. 

It has been really cold and damp, and although the central heat runs, I'm having some adverse reactions to the weather, and my arthritis is acting up.

I have cut out a new pair of sweatpants because I realized all of mine are getting pretty old and threadbare, and one had developed a hole in the back seam due to the fabric being just worn out. 

Unfortunately, we're getting a new honeycomb blind in the sewing room, which takes a great deal of effort to install in a 1935 adobe building. Because of a lack of levels being used in construction, and old adobe exterior walls without interior drywall except for closets and such, Dale has had to add wood trim, and special bracing to install the interior mount blinds. There are currently ladders, partially completed wood trim and part of an added shelf above the window. I have been informed there is also some drywall repair that will be done at the same time to the window alcove. It should be done today, as it's my husband's afternoon off. Then a couple of pair of sweatpants, and off to more fun sewing.

I have a granddaughter getting married in June in the Los Angeles area, and there is mental planning going on for a travel wardrobe as well as a dress for the wedding. I'll share more as things come to fruitition. 

Happy sewing! More later,