Life in 2018

I decided to participate in the 2018 RTW Fasters and continue to participate in MAGAM.  I am off to slow start with both, at least it seems slow to me. 

My first garment for the year is still a work in progress.  It is the Halifax Hoodie by Hey June.  The instructions are good, though they jump around a little.  It is drafted for much taller women that I.  I reduced the length by 1.5 inches, reduced the sleeve length by one inch but ended up taking another 1/2 inch off because when I add the cuffs those sleeves are going to be really long.

I used fabric from stash-Girl Charlee Mustard Ponte and LaFinch fabric used in the Pamela's Peplum.  Plus the cuffs and waistband are from ribbing knit acquired from Fabric Mart last year.

My plans are to sew more casual clothing for 2018 and to finally  make a pair of good fitting pants.  My current casual/business tops are being worn to death.  Some will last forever, I am just tired of wearing them.  Others are beginning to peel and hate that look.

My other reason for focusing on casual------I am retiring on February 2, 2018!  I had originally planned to retire in 2021; however the way things are where I work has led me to decide to move that up three years.  So I am now faced with what will I do now that I am all grown up!  I know I will have more time for sewing, but less money to continue my fabricaholic and patternaholic lifestyle.  Thank goodness I have curated a collection of both that will probably last me the rest of my life.

I am feeling thrills as well as chills as I move into retirement and what will be the future.  I find the current state of our country very surreal and troubled which adds to my concern of the future.  Retirement brings some uncertainty on its own.  Many of my friends who retired much earlier than I have said I will love it!  Hoping so.  I am such a people person that I know I will need to find something that allows me to interact with others.  Having worked in the non-profit world for over 39 years, I know I want to be able to help in some capacity with involvement with another non-profit in a volunteer capacity.

My husband and I plan to move toward a coastal area in NC or SC; and will need to travel to some areas we are considering to see what is available for our more relaxed lifestyle.  Right now we have a lot to sort out in the way of downsizing from a home we have lived in for 14+ years.

Sewing has once again allowed me time to reduce the stress of winding up my career, preparing my successor to assume my job duties and dealing with all the challenges of securing my future for retirement.

I hope you will continue to follow my blog as I enter into the next phase of my life!