So in my previous blog, I talked about the 'pivot'.    That would lead me to think about how lucky I was to have a manufacturer who would take on my small scale production. And thus my pivot away from mass production sewing.

Then along came the pandemic.  My manufacturer was in the middle of a the small tablet 4 pocket TB production which was halted. That was already 2 years ago!  There was a massive shortage of face masks. My amazing manufacturer quickly changed course or made a gigantic pivot in production.  That production involved cutting cotton fabric for masks. I was happy they could use may die cuts for that, as they happened to be the right dimensions. They organized about 100 local home sewers to make the cotton masks! I marveled at their quick thinking and pivoting towards a cause!

The Allen family has been in manufacturing for almost 87 years. During the depression they supplied parts for the shoe industry, then onto making shoes, safety equipment, gloves, handbags and thousands of other items. They have had to make adjustments or changes to find their way in this competitive market. Quality made in a America with  equitable wages versus, the offshore cheap labor and materials. I am a maker and not a business person, so I am thinking I got lucky! Thank you David and your production team!

Go here to learn more about Allen Manufacturing.

'Pivot' is my word for 2022. I heard it today in the news and it attached it's self to one of my lobes.  Would it be the frontal lobe or is it left or right side brain?  Webster or google definition- noun, the central point, pin or shaft on which a mechanism turns or oscillates.  verb- turn on or as if on a pivot, " he swung around, pivoting on his heel."

I feel like I am sitting on a pivot or a fulcrum.  I know I will be changing directions or pivoting.  I should also add time  or a clock to the mix! The 'when' is the question.

The Pivot story started in May 2017 after my husband retired. We immedieately went on a trip to visit family and to vacation out west. The trip ended with me braking my hand and other bodily muscle pulls.  Sewing tool belts was out to the question. At this point I had sewn nearly a thousand tool belts. It would be years to get my hand back to near normal. I am not one for production work anyway. Plus, I needed more playtime as my husband had retired. That fact forced me to pivot toward finding a new manufacturer, since the previous one was not working out. After much work or time, pivot accomplished. 

So we nicely got started with US manufacturer number 2 and then came a halt in sales and manufacturing. Meanwhile, I am getting older and catching up to my husband. 

This year I turn 65, the pandemic has turned a corner perhaps? We want to travel more. I want to focus my attention to other things. So here I sit on my pivoting point or fulcrum wondering which way to swing.   I have sold out of the sewing tool belt my first design, the design that I made for myself over 10 years ago. Do I try to sell my business, or just sell out of my stock?  

Threads is the premier magazine for sewing enthusiasts- people who are passionate about sewing garments, home furnishings, gifts and more.  A year ago they made a request to a sample tool belt to try out.  It is now a notions feature in the July issue, which is out right now!  More information about the magazine at https://www.threadsmagazine.com/ This magazine has been one of my main go to magazines for inspiration and learning unique swing techniques.

The sewing industry has enjoyed an explosion of new fabrics, tools and notions, computerized sewing machines and online tutorials! Yet there is no one tool belt that rules!  Will  the Sewing HipNotions Tool Belt be that product?  Baby steps!

Like so many people these days, I wake up in morning and remember how our world has changed. What adjustments will be l made going forward.  Since my last posting, tool belt production was halted and a new adventure began, the local production of cotton face masks. Looking back over the past five weeks has been a blur.  Before lock down, my daughter, an upholsterer and I had already researched cloth face masks. What household materials were tested to be the next best thing to medical masks. We ordered elastic, white 100% broad cloth and twill tape for ties.  While waiting for supplies to arrive I went into the my collection of cotton prints. Which was perhaps enough for 1200 4 layered adult size face masks. To date 465 made and 200 pre-cut kits sent out to other volunteer sewers. Today, all kits are sewn and all masks donated and we will continue to make face masks for donations as well as retail.

That said, I woke up this morning thinking about face mask fit.  Yes, I know I am weirdly obsessed about certain details. That is when the light bulb came on. This thing about fitting and filling spaces. I have been doing it all my life!! Fitting window spaces with draperies and curtains. Fitting chair covers. Even saddle fitting on our horses, which is like adding an insole to a shoe.  The fitting of devices and tools into a compact tool belt for other professionals who work on their feet. I say other professionals because the word tool belt evokes an image of carpentry and construction workers.   I asked why not change that image to include others who need to carry tools of their trade?  Back to the subject of fitting, clothing construction and alterations was even a more complicated endeavor,  making fabric fit around the curves and body movement.  Sewn slippers,socks, mittens and hats.  And now learning to better size and fit the contours of the face!  The most effective masks form a snug seal around the nose and mouth.

So now going forward, face masks will be offered in my shop along with tool belts.  Besides viruses, we need protection from other inhalants such as dust, pollen and pollution. Why not do it with a smaller carbon foot print or going green avoiding throw away masks? Leave the medical masks to the medical people. My masks are 100% cotton, machine washable with options. More details to follow.  Be well and safe. This ride is not over yet!

Presently I am in the middle of a production run. I am happy to report my manufacturer in Maine has instructed their workers to stay home if they feel ill.  There may be delays, but so far no one is sick.  I consider my product non essential and  would not want anyone  pressured to work while ill at this unprecedented time.  Most US sewing jobs are minimum wage and at best some have benefits and so not working can be critical.  I hope my manufacturer can pay for the needed sick leave. Perhaps the manufacturer may soon be deemed non essential and put on lock down just like so many other countries have had to do.  I pray the manufacturer and their employees can weather this storm financially and with no causalities.

Now as I am an older person who seems to be a virus magnet already, I have chosen to do extreme social distancing.  The only place I might visit is the grocery store at 2 AM or send my husband during day. No travel, meetings, yoga, massage, church, restaurants or friends over. Plus our household needs to stay healthy as our daughter is scheduled for an essential surgery. She also works from our home and will be in recovery at our home after the surgery.  So we have an added incentive not to catch any virus or to pass it on to her.  I would hope each person would discern what is possible in their situation and to help to mitigate this pandemic by social distancing.  I would not want to be a carrier infecting other people.  I would rather be overly cautious now rather than live with regrets later and I would prefer to live a little longer!

 Forensic engineers are the folks who investigate mechanical and electrical failures,  fire and explosion investigation analysis and reporting along with building analysis and repair.  Why would they need a Small or Large Computer Tablet Tool Belt?  For sure they need to carry a tablet computer , a paper notebook/clipboard and a cell phone, a tape measure, pencils and pens.  I do not always learn of the specific items my clients might carry, just the big items.  Selecting the right tool belt evolves around first  fitting the largest items. The smaller items will follow. 

I love it when I get a live caller on my landline phone!  Why do I have a landline you my ask, cause I do not have cell coverage in my rural location. The landline is still more reliable then internet calls via my dish. Ok back to "the Caller",  a fire investigator who was looking to order a Small Computer Tablet Tool Belt for himself. As a fire and safety inspector, he offered up an idea for warehouse workers.  He thought a tool belt in a fluorescent safety color would be a great idea. Plus an added benefit, a fluorescent orange tool belt would be less likely to be lost or stolen.  Well Robert it is to be!  Coming soon to my store is the Small Computer Tablet 4 Pocket  in Fluorescent orange!

Once in a while I start my day with a reflection. Most days my thoughts immediately turn to the to do list and what is priority, right?  Okay and then I got side -tracked to learning my way around Sketchbook and thought-  lets makes make something for this blog!  Ta da.... HipNotions Socrates!!   A little crude, but it was fun!

Now back to Socrates and how a recent discovery stopped me in my tracks. This discovery left me angry, violated and helpless.
Perhaps this reflection can help to channel the frustration we creatives feel with such situations occur and to educate consumers. I will begin with the background story.

Betty Ottesen Sewing, later to be branded as HipNotions Tool Belts, went online in 2010.  I had been preparing my first design to launch way before that date.  I had to learn the workings of the internet and computer  which could just as well been a foreign language! The first design was launched and soon I was working with other professionals all over the United States via the the internet.  Hundreds of tool belts were sewn and test marketed. Of the thousands sewn by me, five designs were selected for manufacturing. Hiring fairly paid and highly skilled American workers was important to me.  It is not so profitable but doable.  Finding a professional sewing manufacturer was a challenge. I had to discontinue the first manufacturer who soon fell short of quality construction. There are many steps and extra start up costs before production even begins. Lots of unpaid time on my 10 year journey to manufacturing.

So imagine finding one of my manufactured designs for sale on Amazon by a foreign company last week. They had been at it since 2017.  They did not bother to change one stitch, pocket or story about their copycat design!  They do not mention the fabric content. Their retail is my cost. It is hard to compete with offshoring.   Yes I  tried to contact  Amazon. It seems they are not interested in stopping copycats or promoting American made products or at least show casing them. So buyers be ware if you value quality and American  jobs.  Check the source. If the product looks identical to the more expensive product, it is most likely a copycat.  American made products are more expensive due to the labor costs and quality construction and materials.

I can not teach anything to anyone but I hope this will help you to think about all artists, their skills, knowledge,creativity and perseverance in bringing a new product to market.   Thanks for your consideration.

The local riding therapy horses got their winter jackets repaired just in time for winter! Most of the time young healthy horses do not require blankets except for perhaps extreme frigid conditions.  However older horses, like us aging baby boomers may require some added protection.  Somehow a thousand pound animal will find ways to rip, tear and make short order of hardware.  Heavy duty straps and fabric require a heavy duty sewing machine, along with some knowledge of what construction is needed to keep a blanket on a horse. I am but just one of many volunteers that keep this wonderful program going. A program of nine therapy horses and participates ages 4 to 70 and a Veterans Riding Program. Here are some of the stars of the program (the horses). Go here for more information on The Horse Sense Riding Therapy Program in the La Crosse, WI area.  And go to Path International to search for similar programs in your area.