Field Notes: Hats, Sewing Machines, and Our Beloved Joann

An upcoming event commitment has me changing gears for the time being, and I have had to step back a bit on making clothing for myself to focus more on my hatmaking. I am enjoying the process immensely though. I am working on a line of quilted hats, and the garden of floral motifs makes me feel so happy. So happy that I have pulled two of the hats out of the collection to keep for myself. 

The Fresh Air Collection at Palmer Adams Millinery

I purchased two new sewing machines this week. A Brother SE2000 sewing and embroidery machine and a Singer Heavy Duty machine. Soon I will write an entire post about my sewing machines and the stories behind them. Several of them I purchased used, so I don't feel so badly about the number of machines I own and the fact that I just bought two new machines in one week. At the moment I am getting used to the features of the sewing machine part of the Brother SE2000. I am so used to sewing on mechanical machines that the computerized features of the Brother are definitely a bit of a challenge. I am amazed by it, quite frankly. I probably won't delve into the embroidery side of the machine until May, but I am looking forward to learning to machine embroider. I plan to add some designs to my hats and add some special touches to the clothes I make for myself. 

The biggest reason many things are now on hold until May is because I started working at my local Joann Fabrics three weeks ago. I was a longtime customer, and when positions opened up to carry the store through closing, I decided to apply. As a customer, I got to know the store manager and many of the employees. Like many of you, I was heartbroken to hear of the Joann acquisition and liquidation plans. I felt that I needed to be there and help carry my local Joann store gently into the night. That sounds dramatic, I know. But many of us are genuinely sad about the closing announcement. Initially our store's closing was slated vaguely for the end of May, but just this week we learned that our store will close at the end of April instead. This is the reason I bought two new sewing machines this past week. Here is another topic I will dedicate another entire post to after the closing. 

What I am sewing this week: I am working on the Reggie Faux Wrap Dress from Seamwork using one of my own fabric designs. This dress is my first project on the new Brother SE2000, my practice project. I will probably make a couple more hats for the spring collection of my hat shop, too. I made another Everyday Waistcoast last week, and I most likely will make a coordinating midi skirt after I finish my Reggie dress. I love planning projects. 

I will write again soon, friends. Happy sewing!