Days 7&8 Thurs. Evening

I'm back and no, I didn't step off the end of the continent! There was no post last evening due to a minor computer clitch, but here we go....
It was class as usual till 1:00. The first yr students continued to learn the procedures for putting the bag together with three sewing until one part was constructed or needed to be pulled apart for correction and then another student moving to the machine to complete their next stage. We did manage to get four machines running, but one has to be handled with patience as it keeps breaking thread. Thank you to thse who are expressing a desire to help. I will have ideas and avenues for this when I return.
The second yr. class began to design and make the pattern for a smaller bag of similar style. After tea, they began the cutting with some old fabric. These will be the prototypes and will be used to discover design flaws and the best way to construct the finished product. Remind me of this when I complain that JoAnn's doesn't have a good pattern!!!!
After class, we head to Kalk to shop. Oops, I almost told you where exactly and that would give away the secret of what I bought!! Can't do that now, can I?
Then to an early dinner at Bayside to see if we could see whales while eating. No such luck! They are on the other side, we are told. Just my luck but Wendy promises to go to Hount Bay and they surely will be there.
Travel tip #2- When travelling to South Africa, be prepare to eat pleanty of fish!
Home to rest before Bible study at the Anglican church (huh?). The sofa felt so good! Wendy decides these people don't know I am here and gives me the blessing of staying in because the Cape Doctor has moved on shore in the form of fierce winds. The window rattling variety. I fix a cup of coffee, look through another of her beautiful table-top books on Africa, get an early bath and off to bed.
Today, the class continues in much the same way as yesterday, but with one new student who must be brought quickly up to speed with the others. Thank goodness, she is a quick learner and very motivated.
The second years have put the different components of the new design together and discovered a couple of things that must be changed before we move on. These are corrected and we begin to assemble the sample. Tonight they will complete their prototypes. If there are no more problems discovered in the assembly process, tomorrow the best seamstress will begin work on the bag that will be presented for approval. Keep your fingers crossed. They really want to make this new smaller purse also.
There was something of an upheaval that greatly upset Wendy. Although it does not directly affect the program it does affect people for whom she has great respect. No matter where you are, it seems everybody likes to mark their territory and guard it fiercely.
We head to another fabric shop in Weinberg and then to look at sewing machines and negotiate a good price. Then it is over the mountain to the Cape Town waterfront. I finish my shopping and we have a good Italian dinner before heading home.
Wendy needs to come to the computer to work, so forgive this less than descriptive account. Just take my word, I have seen more beautiful views, met wonderful people, and am still in awe of the whole experience!
Cape Town Seamstress