Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Sewing for Pay is Happening

Besides changing retail jobs, I've started training for my new sewing job. People don't really understand when I say my new sewing job is making character hoodies. Check out the website, that's all I can say. With this job I'm officially a contractor, which sounds neat. When I hear "contractor" I always think of those hired guns who go to dangerous places. But no, I'm a sewing contractor: Dangerous with a needle, ferocious with the fleece.

Sewing a hoodie is happening TODAY.

I'm also sewing some new colonial clothing. This May my family is planning to visit Williamsburg, VA. Since we are going to the American Colonial mecca, the 18th-Century heaven-on-earth, I feel my early American wardrobe needs freshening. I'm still using my grey linen gown, which is one of my earlier pieces and not made entirely correctly. It's worth keeping through; I've stuck by my goal to have no more than two middle-class outfits for any era. I've got a new petticoat and matching trim in the works, in a pale icy blue cotton/linen that just speaks Scotland to me.

 New Blue Petticoat.

And that's what's happening!

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Yes, I'm Amish and I Work at the Mall

So I've been working at O2FS for more than four months now. I stand out like a moose in a china shop, in a very non-destructive way, and it makes me laugh just to see people's reactions to my working there. It usually prompts two reactions when I tell my acquaintances I work at O2FS:

One: "Oh. I've never heard of that store. I only shop Goodwill sales."

Two: "What?? You work THERE? I just can't see you... working THERE."

Even the customers notice how different I am. I've been called Amish once while at work, and another time a customer asked if I was Mennonite. It is a very different atmosphere than what you would expect to see me in. There's loud music and bright lights; there can be a lot of profanity among employees; and there I am, a skirt wearing introvert. But then, I don't fit in anywhere!

Is this what people think when they see me working at the mall?
 Do I look like this? I sure hope not. (My personal opinion: I think Amish romances are hilariously stupid)

However, change is in the wind(and it has been really windy lately). Back in November I applied at several different places, and O2FS was the first place to take me. Literally, I walked in, filled out the application and tax form, and was told to come back in a few days for training. But, as I think I've mentioned, I also applied at the Clothing Shed. Then in February I got a call back to come in for an interview. I did; then we went to TX and etc, and it wasn't until last week that I got a call back for a second interview. Long story short, Dad's fervent prayers were answered and for the third time this year, I'll be getting a new job. and I confess that I won't miss being Amish at all.