Wednesday, April 8, 2009

My Thoughts Turn to Spring

I look forward to spring each year, however, there is one very awful thing that happens in the spring. It's the state testing that all children must take and all teachers must give. This year I've been given six weeks to get the kids ready for the test, and then one week turns out to be spring break. That takes us down to five weeks. Then we spend one week giving the students a mock test to see how they are going to do on the real test. Ut Oh, now we are down to four weeks. My son is a special needs child and I waive him out of all state testing. The school isn't allowed to tell you that your child doesn't have to take the test. The test doesn't benefits your child or my child in any way whatsoever. It's for the state's benefit. It's to measure how well the teachers are following district guidelines so their students can pass the test. Teachers aren't allowed to teach any more, they have to follow a strict pacing guide to cover the topics that will be on the state test. But what if Juanita or Juan don't understand it the first time. No time, gotta keep up with the pacing guide. "Come after school, I might have time to help. What? You have to go home to babysit your little brother? Oh well!" In case you haven't see this, here's a video to let you know how I feel about testing:



OK, now that I've got that out of my system, I can share with you what I just sewed up for spring.

Sorry about the blur. I haven't figured out why my camera does that when I use the timer. In a recent article in Australian Stitches Magazine they discussed this treatment for stretch lace. I took a very pretty lace and channel stitched it onto some cotton lycra. Both are from my stash. It was very boring so I only did the front bodice. The pattern is my TNT t-shirt pattern and the sleeves are from the Ottobre puff-sleeved top. They didn't puff because the armhole is larger in this top. I'm not loving the sleeves, but maybe they don't look that bad? I'm hoping that after I wash out all the temporary spray adhesive that the cut channels will flutter a bit. Because of the diagonal pattern on the lace, I decided to make my channel stitching on the diagonal too. DH said he liked it. Here's a close-up.


It's different and interesting. I might try it again with a vertical channel next time. Anyway, it was a fun technique to try and didn't take much time. I sewed the channels one night and cut out the top and stitched it up the next.

I've neglected to post the fabric I got at Metro Textiles when I was there visiting with Karen, Carolyn, Elizabeth, and Terri. All the fabrics are either rayon or cotton knits. Really the are just some very good staples to have on hand. I have a difficult time finding cotton knits that doesn't cost over $12/yard. The animal print is a stretch lace. I'm thinking about using it for something soon.


15 comments:

  1. That movie is so funny. I had to send it to a few people at school. Today is our third day of four of testing. My tookus hurts from sitting on it!

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  2. Oh boy, that video told me again why we sent our daughter to Montessori - only available preK - 6 in our neighborhood. Horror stories ensue! When she went to public school again for seventh grade we encountered the teacher who was into standards - that meant a notebook with the standards on the left side and how she accomplished them on the right - talk about teaching to the test, that teacher ONLY taught the test! My daughter HATED it, and we've tried to teach her how employers view learning, which is very different from learning the test. Most employers want to see evidence of on-the-job learning and the ability to think either indepentedly or critically.

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  3. Thanks for the video link, Sherril. Our new govt is bringing in nationalised testing at Year 4 (kids around 8 -9 years old). Maybe they should be forced to watch this!

    The lace top looks nice - that channel treatment really makes a simple top interesting!

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  4. Thats a great technique on your tshirt. Thanks for sharing it.

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  5. I agree with you 100% about the state testing and I love the video. I'd send it to a few of my colleagues, but You Tube is blocked in my district (that's another topic for discussion). I never knew that parents could opt out of testing!!! That's a very well kept secret, and it's easy to see why it's kept a secret.

    Thanks for sharing the technique you used on your shirt. I really need to punch up some of my garments.

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  6. Cool technique on the top! I like your use of the diagonal line. I think the sleeves look cute, just little mini cap sleeves perfect for Spring.

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  7. As a former teacher, I totally understand your attitude toward testing. I decided to retire after they said they were going to start testing my *kindergarteners!*

    I have been looking at your shirt trying to figure out what you did. I think it is really attractive and would like to duplicate it. How does it affect the stretch? If you have time, could you post further details on the technique?

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  8. I love your top. What a fascinating technique. I can imagine how boring the sewing would be, but I think your effort was worth it. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. My kids took the test a couple of weeks ago. My son struggles and was very nervous about the test that lasted 2 weeks (3 days one week - 4 the next) It's crazy the stress they but our kids under. If you don't pass the test you don't pass the school year no matter what you do the rest of the year in class. Now that they are finished with the test we no longer have the 3-4 hours of homework each night. My kids are in 3rd and 5th grade in a 5 star A school and we still have problems teaching to the test. Thanks for the video..it was funny. I bet the kids had fun making it.

    Love your new top!
    Enjoy your sewing moments

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  10. You've really hauled in some great fabrics. Looking forward to see how you transform them.....bunny

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  11. Our schools teach to the test all year round. Only after the test do you feel like they are teaching for the sake of learning. My kids do those practice tests every quarter. And now our district is talking merit pay for the teachers based on testing scores! It is Nuts I tell you. Love the top.

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  12. I totally understand your frustration about teaching for the tests. I am an advisor at a university, and we get the end-products. So many of the kids need remediation because they don't have adequate writing skills, and are lacking in other areas because their entire school career was spent taking state tests, and preparing for state tests. Eventually, the "norm" will become 5 years for college, to take into account the year of prep that so many need.

    But enough about that!! Your shirt is adorable! And I am so jealous of your fabric haul from NYC!

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  13. I love the artsy treatment of your top. Correct me if I am wrong. Are these strips of stretch lace that are sewn down the middle across the diagonal of the top? I am just trying to figure out what you did. It is really pretty.

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  14. Super cute tee Sherrill!!

    FUNNY video, and I can so relate. Ugh. I feel the same way.

    Hey I actually have an idea about what might be the camera issue. Mine does that too, and it's the autofocus. I have to be really careful when I click the button (to start the 10 second timer) not to have a finger or any body part in front of the camera lens. That first click of the shutter actually focuses too so that if you are in front of it close up while clicking, that's where the focus is going to be when the actually snap is taken. If you can get out of the way of the lens when you click the shutter to start the timer, it will focus on the distance (namely where you'll be standing) instead.

    Thanks for the heads up on the sleeves of my dress! I may have to swap them out then. There are some cute sleeves in recent issues that may work!

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  15. I love your top! So cheery and pretty. I can't comment on testing as it is far to painful. well, O.K. I will...not only is testing grossly unfair in so many ways, it is especially so for those who have a disability in regard to reading and TIME. Why is everything so TIME oriented in our culture - WHY MUST YOU BE FAST? Some of us are and some of us aren't. But, I digress...pretty top and I really love it!

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