When I did my “shopping fast” in May, I read a lot of the blog behind the idea, Style Bee. The next step in her Closet Mission series was to really think thoughtfully about what to buy, both in what your closet needs and–in her case–where and how it’s made.

As I started shopping again (after making a seasonal wish list), I ordered a few things from Everlane, whose hook is “radical transparency” in their supply chain, factories, and costs (and who also has clothing that Swedish art teachers might wear, which is how I’ve defined my current style).

I was surprised by how much better I felt about buying items I know weren’t made in sweatshops, which got me thinking–I get that feeling times ten when I make my own things. (I am my own sweatshop!) When the Fringe Association blog proposed a “summer of basics“–making three staple items in the three months of summer–I realized that

1. I could do that, since I’ve been hyper-productive anyway this year (current sewing total is 11 items);
2. I’ve made t-shirts and pants and shirts before–why not do it more?;
and 3. I need a serger.

I had been playing with the idea of asking for a cheap one on Amazon for Christmas, but with the pants achievement unlocked and my a closet wishlist for fall including “lounge pants” and “knit cardigan” and “sweatshirt,” I pulled the trigger now on a Juki that got great reviews  (via Amazon from here, which also got great reviews) . I realized I’ve been sewing long enough that I can do more than entry level.

I haven’t used it yet (“This was late on [Tuesday] afternoon. The sewing machine must stand still over [the next workday].”) but I’ve been reading a basic serger book I got before I ordered it and I checked out the way it’s threaded. I also timed delivery to coincide with a four-day weekend for me, so I’m getting patterns and fabric ready.

I think this may be as revolutionary as Ma Ingalls getting a sewing machine, which did the equivalent of 14.5 hours of hand sewing in one hour of machine time.