You have got see this!

I don't have children but sometimes as my mom use to say, " I can show you better than I can tell you!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl1ujzRidmU&feature=player_embedded#!

Full steam ahead

After spending most of yesterday recovering from the "JOB FROM HELL", I cut Vogue 1257 out of my fashion fabric.

I made a muslin after reading the reviews on PatternReview.com and because I made a ton of alterations to the pattern. Although my muslin fabric was hideous, I'm grateful I made it. The reviews were spot-on. The sleeves were so tight, had the fabric not been knit, or had I flexed my arm ever-so-slightly, I would have "incredible Hulked" out of the entire dress. Who in the heck has arms that small? The sleeves were so tight, my husband had such a confused look on his face and furrowing between his brows, I knew without a doubt something was amiss!

After examining the pattern envelope more closely I do notice that the sleeves look tight on the model. Also on the back of the envelope, on the "stretch meter," it says stretch "FOLDED" fabric. Yikes! In my mind that means instead of 2-way stretch, the fabric needs to have 4-way stretch. Aha...No wonder the sleeves are cutting off my circulation!

The other thing I noted when I was altering the pattern is that the seam between the bodice and the skirt is supposed to be about 2" above the natural waistline. Nothing annoys me more than when sewers do not pay enough attention to the proportions on patterns. We too often forget that a pattern is a starting point for the masses. Once we get it, we have to customize it to our particular shape. More later,

Today I got fired!

A wonderful thing happened to me today. I got fired from the job I've only had for two weeks. Why is that wondeerful? I've wanted to get a job with this property management firm for about four years. In that time I've wondered why the turnover of the property managers was high but didn't know why. Well, now I do.

I didn't want to complain about it but from the time I walked in every morning until the time I left every evening, I was going full steam ahead. Prior to being hired, the position I was filling had been vacant for two months. I was expected to know how to catch up with all that work as well as keeping up with current work. I was so busy each day that there wasn't any time to get a sip of water or even make a trip to ladies room. I kid you not. By the time I got home every night I was so mentally drained all I could do was go straight to bed. Each day was like the one before it.

Training for the job did not exist. I was told once how to do a thing and was then expected to be completely versed in that particular operation. I made a mistake on a bank deposit slip last Friday and evidently that was the last and only straw. As soon as I arrived this morning I was given the news that my performance was not up to par and that they would no longer be needing my services.

What a relief! I wanted to quit last week but didn't know how. I wanted to make sure I gave it my best effort but all I really wanted was out. No amount of money is enough to expect a person to work at that pace. Did I mention that all of the tenant files are still on index cards? WTH. In this day and age all of that information should be computerized! Anyway I got fired and I'm happy about it. I don't need the money, my husband didn't want me to work, and I didn't need the stress. To make this sewing related I will say that I was the best dressed in the office. The owner commented on my outfits each day. I'll go back to whiling my days away sewing and doing whatever else I please.