I don't rile easily. I believe that I've always been calmer and more patient than the average person; however, every now and then I have blown my top with relish. For instance, eons ago when I was a Special Ed Resource Teacher (in a town that shall remain nameless- I have taught in seven), I had had a particularly trying session with one of my fourth graders (who shall also remain unnamed). My emotional beaker, as Rick Lavoie-Sp. Ed. Guru would say, was overflowing! My Resource Teacher partner/ Good Friend/ Sista-from-Anotha-Motha (yes, she's remaining unidentified, too) witnessed my blow up. I had just dismissed the student from our room, took a deep breath and said, "I'm going to kill R________ H__________________________!" Of course, I DIDN'T, but at the time, I sure felt like I could have.
So, WHAT IS DRIVING FIRST&LAST MATE ROSIE DINGHY NOW? Well, the dinghy.
You see, I've been working on sewing a canvas cover- also known as chaps- for our dinghy. I should have made it about two and a half YEARS ago when the dinghy was brand new. I thought about it. I even remember trying to use our old cover on it, but the shape of this model was just different enough to warrant a whole new pattern.
Making a pattern involves hauling the dinghy onto the shore and draping a light weight plastic over it to mark and cut and mark and cut repeatedly. Then on a day with calm winds and low chop in the bay, you lay the pattern over the canvas on a large, relatively flat and clean surface like the foredeck and cut the pieces out. (As seen in picture below.)
Exposed canvas edges can fray, so it's recommended they be sealed which is a painstakingly slow process using a hotgun-like soldering tool. The cover came away with NO accidental burn marks and I finished the gruesome task with only three burned fingers.
Then there's the frustration of fitting and marking, cutting and fitting again, followed by sewing and fitting a third or fourth or fifth time. Sometimes the fitting was accomplished with the dinghy on the beach. Other fittings were done dangling off the back of the boat taking care to keep the fabric from getting too wet.
The video I watched before starting the chaps also recommended using a two-sided adhesive tape when installing the vinyl around the handholds. I used this type of tape, but it wasn't sticky enough to work properly and I felt that all my effort was for naught, as I carefully held three layers in place while sewing.
Need I mention the added difficulty of good cruising friends in the bay stopping by to inquire on my progress, luring me away from my sewing machine to swim, have sundowners ashore, or go out to dinner?
I'm proud of the finished product because the chaps make the dinghy seem new again... just in time for our granddaughter Lyla's sleepover with two friends!
