Sunday, August 25, 2013

I'm Back!

*haphazard swishing with a feather duster*

Oh hello there, it's been a while, hasn't it? Usually when a female blogger with a steady significant other takes a long-ish break from blogging, I begin wondering if it's because she's pregnant, and then I resign myself to lots of baby clothing posts, but just in case you're wondering, that's not my situation! Rather than finding myself in the family way, I've found myself in an...academic...way? School started and hit me like a ton of bricks this year, especially since, for the first time in almost a decade, I am not only a teacher, but a student as well! But more about that later.

I really wanted to make a quick blog post earlier explaining what was going on, but I had no energy to write and I really didn't want to be one of those bloggers that just posts five times in a row, but each post just says sorry I'm such a bad blogger I promise I'll have more to say soon! So I waited until I had more wherewithal to actually write something of substance. In the meantime, my last few weeks have been absolutely packed to the brim with:

  • Well, speaking of packed, there's been lots of packing and unpacking; we finally moved to our new apartment in Castro Valley! It's so nice to have our own space again! Especially since my sewing stuff is in a fantastically large room! Mr. Cation and I decided to make the guest bedroom our bedroom, and use the master bedroom as a joint office/sewing room, so now we can work on things in the same room and there's lots of space on the floor for me to actually spread and cut things out. No more scrambling to put things away and checking the living room floor for stray pins when guests come over!
  • Before we moved out of my parents' place, I mended/altered things for my family. My dad had a couple of button-down shirts whose sleeves were too long, and my sister had a dress that was too big. I also fixed a lot of my own hooks and eyes and buttons that had popped off, or dresses whose necks needed fixing to prevent gaposis, and those sorts of things that one never gets around to when there are shiny new projects to sew!
  • Teaching and prepping and other miscellaneous school duties: besides my three AP classes, I've also taken over a lot of the science department head's duties since the previous one retired and nobody's been selected as a replacement. Ordering the year's supplies, mentoring the new teacher, and general curriculum overhauling, you know, NBD. And of course there's readjusting to standing and talking in a projecting sort of voice all day. I'm sad that the vagaries of block scheduling mean that I no longer have one whole day free for sewing/picture-taking like last year. 
  • I've spent a good deal of time sorting through my fabric and figuring out what I want to make next. Ever since I started sewing three years ago, I've never taken such a long break from sewing! Besides the bits of mending and altering here and there, I haven't made anything new for over a month...so I had a bit of sewasaurus' block. I still have my half-finished blazer, but I left off at a tricky place and I don't feel like going back and trying to figure it out just yet. And I know what I want to make for my next HSF project, but since the deadline passed already I'm having trouble finding the necessary motivation. Thank goodness for the Sew Weekly Reunion's helpful guidelines and deadline, or I might still be hemming and hawing! Not literal hemming, though. 
  • As for being a student again, I've got semi-exciting news: I've decided to go back to school and get my Theater Costuming certificate! After last summer's blogger meet-up at Canada College, I started dreaming and saving for their Fashion Department's classes. I don't know how long it will take me to complete all the courses, but I'm super excited even though I've only had one class so far. I really love learning (if I could be a professional student I totally would!), but to be honest, I'm a little scared that I've forgotten how to be a good student. I showed up for the first day of class without my textbook, reader, or even a binder or notebook...if I were my own student, I would've given me a stern talking to about being prepared for class! Thank goodness for breaks, so I was able to run out and buy my materials, but let's just say that it's going to be an adjustment, having to study for tests instead of just writing and grading them. 

We learned about fiber cross-sections and how they can affect light reflection, and therefore the general sheen or lustre of the resulting textile, among other things. Our instructor warned us that students have complained in the past that her textiles class was too much like a science class, but I was secretly thinking "what's wrong with that?" At any rate, I was just eating up all the information; I can tell I'm going to like this class!
[picture source]

Here's what I haven't been doing, though -- learning about my new serger! I'm so incredibly grateful for all of you who took the time to give me helpful advice, but I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't felt mentally ready to tackle all the learning I feel like it requires. I even chose to entirely line my next project so that I don't have to think about finishing any seams...I know, so sad, right? Still, at least I'm sewing again; my latest project just needs some buttons and then I'll be ready to reunite with all the good folks over at The Sew Weekly!


50 comments:

  1. It's so nice to know there are others like me :) I loved being a student so much, that now I'm working on my PhD in astrophysics... There are other less extreme routes of course...

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    1. Haha wow! That's quite a commitment to loving student-hood! Although I have told my husband that I'd go to med school just for the knowledge if I could, and not become a doctor afterward...

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    2. I so get that! Although at the moment I'm being a bit sick of being the stupid one: 1st year of PhD... But hopefully that'll change soon :)

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  2. Hooray! So glad you're back. I've really missed you - and Walnut of course!

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    1. Thanks! Walnut has been super whiny and grumpy lately...maybe it's because he's wondering why he's not getting attention on teh interwebs?

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  3. Ooh, in CV? I would love to get together sometime for lunch or something. Are you at CCS or somewhere else?

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    1. I tried clicking through on your profile and it's set to private, so I have no way of contacting you! Shoot me an email!

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  4. What an exciting time! All the cool kids are back to class and studying at the moment! (I have just started a clothing production certificate) Good luck! :D

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  5. Congrats on going back to school! I am going to school for a second Bachelors in Fashion Design. My textiles class was actually really disappointing. The teacher had a wicked cool job restoring clothing for history museums or whatever, but she didn't actually know anything about textiles - it was like she didn't know which information out of the textbook was actually something worth teaching and which would never be relevant in anyone's lives ever. I knew more than she did from sewing and from working as the head of the fabric at Jo-Ann Fabrics. So I hope your textiles class goes well and I hope that you enjoy it!

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    1. Aww, so sad that the teacher wasn't very good! It looks like my teacher is very good so far...I've learned tons and she teaches sewing too, not just textiles, so I'm hopeful!

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  6. Holy cow -- what a fun class you're taking!! I love hearing that you are an AP teacher as well -- you are the coolest! Never feel like you have to apologize for an absence. It makes the heart grow fonder, right?

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    1. Thanks for being so encouraging about taking necessary leave :)

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  7. OMG! Science mixed with sewing!!!! Perfect combination for me (Polymer engineer, yes sir!). I loved your illustration, it sent me back to my internship days (I worked with wall paint where the shape of the particles is everything). Congratulations on going back to school and please, continue sharing with us your new knowledge!

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    1. Oh, I will definitely share! I think polymer engineering is so interesting; if I were to redo my undergrad now I might've been more interested in chem-e!

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  8. Good for you! Follow those dreams. I always loved going back to school. Have fun.

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    1. Thanks! It took a while for me to work up to this, especially since it's a totally frivolous certificate with no real job market...

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  9. when i saw the preview pic on bloglovin i thought you were devising weird new pincushions.

    CONGRATULATIONS! you are already so amazing at costuming (is that a word?), this is going to send you into the stratosphere!

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    1. Haha we'll see! Maybe new pincushions are still in the future!

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  10. Congrats on the move and the new apartment! I hope this is a stellar year for you, back in your favourite town.

    Good luck with the courses as well---they sound like so much fun! (Science and all!) Youèll be back in the studying swing right away, Ièm sure. :D

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    1. Thanks, Tanit-Isis! I hope this is a stellar year too!

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  11. welcome back! I'm right there with you with classes.... I should try to find some in my area too.

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    1. You should! A lot of community colleges in my area have some kind of fashion design program, and it's fairly affordable. It's so fun to have structured learning again.

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  12. Welcome back! It sounds like you really have a lot on your plate, take it slow! I'm really looking forward to hearing about your classes at Canada College, what a great challenge. It was lovely meeting you at the meet-up the other day :)

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    1. Same here! It's nice to put a voice/real person to the name! We should meet up some weekend; my parents' house is really close to Daly City!

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  13. Hope you're settling in well! I'm so excited for all your changes! I hope you really enjoy your costuming classes-- that sounds so, so fun! I've just signed up for a patternmaking certificate at FIT, and my first class is Tuesday (eek!). I've never done any drafting and know NOTHING about patternmaking, so it could be a total disaster... we'll see!

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    1. Oh, that class sounds like it's going to be awesome! I just had my first drafting class yesterday, and it was fascinating and not as difficult as I thought it would be. Word of advice: learn your fractions! People in my class were having issues with dividing 9 3/4 into quarters and such like, which kind of slowed the class down.

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  14. I totally understand! I have a friend who is in the same boat: both teacher and student. She had only a bit of time on Friday to have dinner and practically broke down with all the stress of what she had to do. I'm so happy that you did check in to quell the pregnancy rumors that I was about to start. Just kidding!

    Your class will no doubt be fun and you've reminded me to get a move-on with The Sew Weekly Reunion, although I was never there the first time around. I'll be like the spouse who tries to fit in with all the old friends at the reunion!

    P.S. - The science nerd in me loves the diagram you posted!

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    1. Hahahaha oh those pregnancy rumors! I think if I were gone for two months it would be safe to start those...But yes, I feel for your friend -- teaching and being a student are both such time-intensive occupations!

      There are so many sewing scientists, I knew that diagram would be appreciated!

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  15. hehe yep... that's exactly what I think when that happens too, right down to being resigned to baby clothing posts. Eh. BUT! Super excited about your costume certificate studies. Like you, I live for the learning. It's one of the (many) reasons I love sewing... there's always something new! I'm looking forward to reading more about it as you progress :)

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    1. So glad that I'm not the only one with that train of thought! I had a feeling you might be another one of those learner-type people...I'll definitely share more as I learn!

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  16. Congrats on all of your life changes! It was great to see you again at a couple weeks ago at the blogger meetup. I think I can now remember your real name and won't have to call you Cation (though at least I pronounced it right!) I hope you love your classes at Canada College - that's where I learned a lot of my own sewing skills. And, let me just say, if I take a blogging break, that I am NOT pregnant! ;)

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    1. It's fine if you just call me Cation, as long as you don't say it like the last two syllables in vacation! Thanks for the warning about the non-pregnancy ;)

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  17. I was quite excited to see the optics diagram in my reader. I love it when sewing blogs have some physics in them. It warms the cockles of my heart. So trilobal fibers have the most sheen, yes?

    Best of luck with all that you have going on. The course you are taking sounds like it will be fun. I hope you continue to share some of the stuff you learn.

    School doesn't start until next week for us, but I'm starting to have that panicky feeling I usually get... like it really starts tomorrow and I'm in no way ready for it.

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    1. Glad to warm your heart cockles! We also talked about how some of the new rayon fibers they're making are penta-lobal/star shaped, and all the grooves between the lobes let the dirt sink in really well, so fabrics look clean for longer.

      Every year before school starts I always have nightmares about awful kids and admin!

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  18. Welcome back! And congrats for deciding to pursue theatre costuming. The scientific costumer!

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  19. Nice to hear that you're back. I've missed you. I'm happy about your new sewing space, it would be so luxurious to have a big bedroom for that! That Theater Costume Certificate sound nice, I hope you can share some more things with us in the near future :D

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    1. Aww, that's so sweet of you! I'm really so glad that my husband agreed with me on the super-room; it just works so much better than my tiny sewing room before!

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  20. You're back!! So much exciting news! Your class sounds fabulous!! Please do share all the amazing tidbits you can!

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    1. Sorry for totally disappearing from the Stashbusting Sewalong! Thanks for being understanding!

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  21. No worries about your serger - take your time, it will pay off if you start with a clear head and no time pressure.
    I had my coverlock for 2 weeks on the living room table unpacked. Just looked at it for a while and only started to get to know it when I could really take my time.
    I personally have a hard time to decide on what to do next. :))

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    1. It's like when you build something up in your head so much, it's scary to take it on for real because it might not live up to expectations!

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  22. Ooh, the new learning sounds fun!! I'm looking forward to hearing more about it. :)

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  23. So glad to see you haven't forgotten about the blog, but I'm glad I was able to see you were still alive on Twitter and Instagram here and there. =)

    Have fun with your textiles class! That is something I wish I had been able to take a class or two in during my college years. Luckily, I was given some books from a friend who majored in textiles and I've learned a lot from them. Now that I work part-time at a fancy fabric store, I'm really having to use what I've been able to pick up over the years as a costumer.

    The serger will get used when the right project comes along. I had to go out and buy my new machine(s) to replace the dead one last year and immediatedly got sucked into movieland and didn't touch my new toys for probably 3 months. No rush. =)

    ~ Brooke

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  24. Welcome back! Yay for new apartments and going back to school! Sounds exciting!

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  25. Can't wait to hear about your sciencey sewing class!

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  26. New classes?! Yay! I have a friend who's good about taking advantage of Canada College, and I loved keeping up with her classes vicariously through her stories. I could never justify the time at the time. Now, looking bad, I really wish I had, so bravo to you for going for it! Good luck, and enjoy the bay! It's a fabulous city!

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  27. So many exciting new things, woohoo for you! You're going to do SO well at the textiles class, I just know it. And so many other great things lined up to - sending you lots of happy thoughts for the future.

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  28. ...

    :o Fashion classes only 20 minutes away from me?!? Bookmarking those classes for the future. I wonder how possible it is to fit those around a 9-6 job...

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