Sewing lessons

Last week Frank had to take a business trip at the end of the week, and so the girls and I immersed ourselves fully in "being girls" for a few days. One thing I've been really careful about is to try not to press them into sewing... if they're interested, I will teach them, but just because it is my hobby and interest doesn't mean they have to do it too. So while I don't necessarily bank on them always wanting to sew, for the past few months they've been nagging me to teach them, and I have been procrastinating because I wasn't sure what I should start with. I finally decided to have them make simple skirts, because the stitches are all straight, we wouldn't have to use a pattern, and most importantly, they could wear them and get compliments, therefore encouraging them to keep at it. :-) So, last week we were at craft warehouse, and they had a table of flat folds on sale. I let the girls pick out their own fabric, and while Daddy was gone it was a treat to sew it up.


They did really good. I deliberately didn't want anything that would need stitches ripped out, because that is so depressing, so while we probably should have ripped stitches in a few places, I decided that just gave their little skirts character, and kept the wobbly stitches in. :-) We learned to roll our bobbin, and to press...

They learned my mantra--Whenever possible press, don't pin. :-) I like to imagine that they will repeat this to their children someday. :-) Kiki did awesome with the sewing machine. Actually, they both did... but she really enjoyed it and made sure to do it properly. :-)

Debris took rather quickly to doing anything that required the boiling hot iron. I should have seen that coming. Stress me out!

Kiki serenaded us while we sewed Debris' skirt...

Debris also took great joy in using the scissors... anyone else see the pattern of possibly deadly tool usage here?! Very concerning.

And then we headed outside to take pictures...

They get the "clown in front of the camera" business from their father. I was really proud of them. They literally did every bit of stitching on these skirts, with the exception of the box stitch to secure the elastic waist, which I did for them. Otherwise these skirts were their creation from the fabric choice to the hem execution. Kiki has informed me she is going to make Jammie Pants next. :-) Yay! Proud momma here! The next day I had to run to the fabric store for something, and they wore their skirts... the compliments they got from all the ladies working there had the effect I was looking for because as of now, they just might be hooked on sewing.

Here is the basic simple pattern, in case you'd like to do one too, my girls are currently sizes 6 and 8, I would imagine that you could do this same pattern for kids a bit smaller or bigger--it is so easy, and even with teaching them/letting them do everything it took about 1 1/2 hours to make two skirts.

1/2 yard of fabric

1 inch elastic fit to waist

1. Stitch fabric selvages together to make one stitch down the back of the skirt. Press seam open.

2. Double fold 1/2 inch all around the bottom and press, then hem.

3. Fold top over 1/4 inch, then 1 1/2 inches again, and press. Sew closed, leaving a 3inch opening for the elastic to feed through.

4. Feed the elastic through, make sure it lays flat all the way around, and sew a box stitch over the two ends together to secure.

5. Sew the elastic opening closed, then feed the fabric evenly around the skirt. Sew vertical stitches back and forth a few times through the elastic to secure it in place so it doesn't twist in the laundry. I usually do this on the sides, and then again in the back.

Enjoy!

Speaking of compliments, thank you all for the sweet things you said about my previous post... it's always such a lovely thing to put something out there and have everyone say such nice things! Thank you friends!