She got more than a little linty during our adventures, and even though I cleaned her regularly, I worried about her. I called Don at Milwaukee Sewing Machine  to see how often I should bring her in for maintenance, and he assured me that, unless she was sick or injured, she didn't need to come in. He was right. She never needed anything but a new needle or blade now and then.

I have no idea how many garments, hats, scarves, afghans, gloves and other not quite as successful experiments, she and I made over the last years, but it is well into the thousands. Just me, her, the radio or books on CD and the view out my window... and, of course all my on-line and show contact with my wonderful customers. (and my helpful Roadie and friends at shows!)

So yesterday she went off to live in Baraboo and help make the beautiful bags that Char at "Helen's Daughters" makes. I wish them both well.

Sew long and prosper! 

It turns out that there were only a couple tables of people there, so I started with the usual secrecy; get a coffee, sit at a table that is close enough to get a picture if I use a little zoom, and act like I am doing something else. Well it soon became evident that these were ladies of the above description, so I went to say "hello". I gave them a quick rundown of my reasons and intentions, and asked if I could photo them. They agreed, applied chapstick, and worried about the dirty plate on the table - yup these were my folks! They were a mother and daughters (in-law?) laughing, sipping and creating. Even grandma was there - it was the anniversary of her death, and so they had her hand-made sweater draped on one of the chairs!

In the back room I found another huddle of women measuring, knitting, perusing patterns and laughing. I truly think that women - especially "experienced" ones - are a major untapped resource of joy and comfort in our society, and we better start acknowledging that soon because we need more of both those things! Fortunately we have found each other.

I suppose in an earlier age, it was sewing clubs, quilting bees, church groups, and bridge clubs that did it, most of those have passed as more and more women have found independence and are in the workplace, but the coffee shops and knitting stores, the quilting groups, and moms groups have taken up the slack. Even Etsy, with the teams and forums is a meeting place for the like-minded.

I have some sweaters, skirts, lots of hats, and pillows and afghans left for you. I will be posting them all on Etsy at my main shop (jill2day.etsy.com) on February 10. (I have lots of photos to take and listings to write before that). There will be a special sale also announced when they are listed. So please check it out. My shelves of supplies are almost empty, so there will probably not be any new items after these things are listed.

I am still working hard, but it feels very strange to not have the Etsy shops open. I miss the convos and questions. but I am not second guessing! 

I am working hard on getting ready for my Chantilly VA show on January 24, and there will be some new velvet skirts there. 

The other new thing is the hats made from brocades and wovens - not just knits. I will have a lot of those there too! My East Coast customers don't need the warm knits as much as us in the Midwest do, so I decided to try something new for January. 

I also have a whole new inventory of sweaters for the show. Some Cardis, Pullovers and wraps. Many will be perfect all the way through springtime. Here are a few of them as a preview: