And away we go

Last week was fantastic.

The class went wonderfully, thanks to the amazing teaching ability of my wonderful husband, Chris. I swear, people who think that being a teacher is an easy job, or even that it is something anyone can learn... you have a surprise coming! It is hard!

But, it all came together as a success.

Before the camp, however, I had been working on a commission for a Namine outfit that was nearly completed. Finish up the wig, put the trim on the bottom and straps on, and ship it out - that was all I thought I had to do with it.

Until I looked at it again this weekend. And panicked.

Those of you who know me know that I'm really, very anal about the stuffs I send out to customers. I utterly refuse to send something out that isn't the very best I can produce, and this outfit was... bad, to say the least. That's what I get, I guess, for trusting a commercial pattern company to scale patterns up to a size 18 successfully - my bad for thinking that would work.

The commissioner is almost exactly my size (I'm shorter ;P) and this dress would have fit, assuming that I didn't have boobs or hips. Ya know, like a runway model scaled up, or something. So... I trashed it. I just couldn't - I'm sure I could have tweaked it, added a gusset or two and be done with it, but it just feels so wrong to do things like that. I know a lot of people wouldn't even notice if I did, but... but...

Now you see why I get paid on the average of $4 an hour for the work I do ^^;

But, the only reason I do what I do (well, the main reason, at least) is because I love it when people receive something so amazing that they cannot believe that someone made this, and made it specially for them. So, I can't just patch it up (like, honestly, I would do for a theatre job...) and send it on it's merry way.

I throw it out, and start again.

And, I'm so thankful a year or so ago I purchased a dressform in my size. Like, a real dressform, not an adjustable POS. Greatest money ever spent. And saved my butt on this.

So, the exceptionally long story capped, I threw it out, and remade it. And it looks fantastic. But, she wanted it delivered by today. So I'm waiting to hear if it needs to be Express Mailed out, or if there is some leeway in the delivery date, or if I need to refund them entirely...

Lesson learned - do everything to the best of your ability, but expect things to go wrong. Even on simple outfits. And, admit when you've screwed up, and take whatever comes of it.

Tomorrow, I'm taking pictures, and working on Utility Skirts or Kimona, whichever peeks my interest. I have orders for both, so it's more of a matter of feelings. Plus, answering emails... oh gawd, the emails...

I think I need to go to sleep, or I'll keep rambling away at you all...

Discovery World in Milwaukee

Those of you from the are may know about Discovery World, but for those outside of Southeastern Wisconsin, Discovery World is a wonderful organization that teaches about science, technology, history and innovation through hands on learning.

They are really an amazing organization, and their new building right on Milwaukee's lakefront is really fantastic not just to see, but to visit (so if you're in the area and want some fun, head down there, it's fantastic, fun, and not just for kids, that's for sure!)

Anywho, my husband works in their education department over the summers, working with their summer camps. These are week-long programs that kids 7-14 can take focused around a topic. He's taught ones ranging from marine biology to toy factory and everything in between.

This year, I'm helping out. We're teaching a week-long camp next week on fashion and entrepreneurship! It's for older kids, around 12-14, and they're going to learn to sew (by hand), design, sketch, and market their products!

I'm not afraid to admit that I am scared out of my mind. I'm not a good teacher, although I like sharing what I know. Luckily, it's not just going to be me, but my husband is going to be doing the "hard" work, I just get to show them how to sew.

This week, though, we have a lot of preparation to get through. A lot of fabric needs to be cut up into manageable hunks, paired up, and instructions written. I'm so freaking out, but really excited.

We're hoping to make a bag the first day, a skirt the second, and work on modifying t-shirts into a garment or two the next few days, and on Friday, we're hoping to take great fashion photos of the stuff they've made. Also, each student will be asked to donate one of their projects to sell in the Discovery World store, and the proceeds going to benefit their charity to bring under-privileged kids to Discovery World to take classes, to support the community and personal growth.

So, busy, busy, busy!

I just thought I would post and say that if you, or a random family member, are interested in fun things to do over the summer, check out Discovery World, and possibly consider enrolling in my class? I think we have 14 already, and only room for 20, but you never know - it may be more fun than you expect!

And, when I disappear from the Internet that week, you all know why, too!