Every December I like to stop what I’m doing and think about the year – what did I like, what I didn’t, what I’d change and what I wouldn’t. Obviously I have been dealing with a terrible back overuse injury from sitting too long at the sewing machines for years. Funny how your body only lets you abuse it for so long before it revolts. I had to cut back to a third of my usual work load and I have to admit I’ve enjoyed this slower pace. I will definitely be continuing with this pace in the coming year. Teaching was extremely busy this past spring and summer and that I will not be continuing as such. Meaning I am reducing my teaching to only one week a month from February thru June. I had set aside a week to teach in the US in July but this cannot be confirmed until the new US administration has been sworn in. The 25% tariff proposed may cause such an increase in goods pricing that many US citizens will need to keep extra money on hand to pay for the increased inflation their economy will suffer. Honestly I will more than likely not go into the US except to deliver costumes as my visa allows. I realized it is a lot of work to prepare for a week long class to make it easier for people that can easily fly or drive over the border to take class in person here. At the end of the day I don’t need to teach – I choose to.

With this added time, I’m happy I can get my new patterns digitized and finally get the photos uploaded for my coming book Skirts Skirts Skirts.

First is some exciting travel though! Off to Paris and Switzerland and whilst there, I will be attending the Prix which is something I’ve wanted to do since I first made costumes for this many years ago. I’m back to Scotland in late September to hike thru the Highlands so my fall calendar will look quite different as well.

I guess the year in review is work less, travel more and slowing down can often be what we all need.