Sewing With Nieces

My twin nieces are 15 now (already!) and about to finish 9th grade. On Saturday, they needed their Aunt Jayne for some sewing instruction on their AHG projects for sewing badges. As I understand it, American Heritage Girls is an equivalent to Girl Scouts.

Mary Jean was making a brown skirt out of a sturdy cotton - maybe twill or duck? Anyway, it was easy to work with, and she had selected a super-easy pattern, so everything was pretty much straightforward construction.

MJ is the more reluctant sewist of the two; she'd much rather crochet than sew. She's taught herself to crochet and she's quite good. But sew she did, and her skirt looks pretty darn sweet.

I left her with hand-stitching the hem and tacking down the waist facing. Pretty good day's work! We hadn't even cut this out when we started.

Now, Anna Rose did have her dress already cut out, thankfully. She is the more eager for sewing, and was in the interfacing prep stage. Her fabric was a stretchy lightweight polyester, and while I was concerned about how tricky it would be to work with, it sewed beautifully.

I don't have a picture of AR wearing her dress; we didn't get that far. Too many pins! She had a lot of hand work left to do - hem, facings and the like. It will be a sweet little black dress for her when she has a dressy occasion. 

Makes me glad that I learned how to sew way back when. Mom always had a sewing machine up and ready for stitching - more out of necessity than desire. I was always fascinated by the machine, and was so happy when I was finally allowed to use it.

Hopefully, these beautiful nieces will continue to want to sew and to feel more and more comfortable doing various projects.

Happy Quilting, Friends! 

A Day With the Nieces

My twin nieces are now headed into high school, incredibly. It doesn't seem possible that they could be on the cusp of driver's license permits. However, for all the growing up that's happened when we weren't looking, they still desire a day every now and then in the sewing room with Aunt Jayne. 

Yay!

Mary Jean was supremely interested when I told her I had a stash of yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks that I would give her. Yes, she has taken to the needle arts, and in particular loves to crochet. She couldn't wait to get her hands on the goodies.

 

I handed over all the stuff, set her back in my little nest of a sewing corner, and she was happy as a clam. She must have had a pattern in mind that she wanted to start, because she was busy and quiet in no time.

That left Anna Rose to decide what her project for the day would be. I threw out a few suggestions, and she decided that a cross-body cell phone bag would be perfect to wear under her marching band uniform this fall. We then selected fabrics and went to work.

She, too, was happy as a clam as she created her bag. There was some re-familiarizing necessary with the sewing machine, but she caught on quickly. We got one bag done so effortlessly that we made a second one for Mary Jean, flip-flopping the lining and the outer materials. 

And that second one was done pretty fast, too, so Anna Rose asked about making a bigger bag - one that might be a back pack or something along that line. I had a file of patterns that I handed to her. She found a couple she liked and we assessed the ease of construction against the available time we had. She ended up selecting a small-ish bag to which we added a strap, again in cross-body fashion, with hardware.

By mid-afternoon, these were our finishes. Three bags from Anna Rose and a very good start on a market bag by Mary Jean.

Believe it or not, the biggest effort of the day was finding a suitable button for the large bag. Their dad, my brother, had been golfing with my DH while we sewed. The guys were back in time for Mark to have a hand in the great button hunt.

From all indications, I think everyone had a satisfying day. I sure did. Mark says that Anna Rose is serious about sewing, so they are shopping for a beginner machine. 

Let me share with you some of the earlier sewing days we have had. We don't get to do it often, but we have made some nifty things, like headbands and pillow cases. We have also had one overnight sewing party.

For a final picture today, let me roll out this one from Easter 2010 when the girls were 2 and a half.  This may be the most adorable picture ever taken of them!

If they want to sew again, I believe they might go for the idea of one of those 3-yard quilts that are so popular right now. They could buy their 3 yards in advance and we could potentially have both quilt tops done in a day, I think. 

Hope you are having a great day! I am removing nearly an entire quilt's worth of quilting stitches. UGH. Yes, I quilted one yesterday only to discover that more than half of my stitches were "eyelashed" on back - an issue with my tension. I have removed most of the offending stitches. Next I will run some test quilting to assure that tension issues are resolved, then reload this quilt and get it done right!

This just goes to show that not everything works perfectly, but if I'm sewing and quilting, I am usually pretty chill about the snafus along the way.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Costume-Making

Rarely have I spent so much of my sewing time working on Halloween costumes as I have this month. Typically, Halloween celebrating is pretty low on my to-do list. It's just never been a "thing" for me. Decorating the house, lawn ornaments, involved costumes - not my jam. Ever.

However we had an invitation to some friends' for a costume party on Friday night. These are fun people, and so are the other guests we know who would be there. I searched Pinterest for easy "couples" costumes. The easiest one I could find was Fred and Wilma Flintstone. Boom! Voila!

I needed something easy and fast because I didn't even begin looking for ideas until I had less than a week to work with. (Procrastinator!) The Flintstones were cavemen characters, so I knew I could cobble this whole look together with as limited real sewing as possible - I didn't have to hem anything. Raw edges everywhere. It didn't matter if it looked crappy - a cavewoman made it! Hah!

If I had been more timely in my planning, I would have figured out some wig options, since Wilma was a redhead. I found a couple online that would have worked, but time was too limited by the time I began shopping.

Now, you may recall earlier in the month, I was called on by my sweet little nieces to make Harry Potter robes for them to wear to their school Halloween party. These did require a bit more attention to detail, and I was so pleased with the results. The twins were, too. *smile*

Here are some pictures that my brother sent of the girls in their robes. I love how they loved them.

Great little Gryffindors and Ravenclaws don't you think? The girls have enjoyed reading the Harry Potter books, so this was a perfect option for them this Halloween. Yay for reading!

I hope you all have a fun Halloween week. Our celebrating is pretty much over, and that's okay with me. No trick-or-treaters will find their way to our door as we are too remote. I now look forward to Thanksgiving.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Twins' Back Packs

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to spend a day with my twin nieces - now 10! - at my sister's (their Aunt Sandy).

We played a game of Hangman - which they won without making any mistakes. Their interests are drawing, reading, science, math and about a gazillion other things. To say they are smart would be an understatement. They are so advanced; they seem to simply absorb everything they see or read or hear. Mary Jean is on the left; Anna Rose on the right.

When they were very little things, I made them identical backpacks - I suppose it would have been about the time they were beginning preschool. Anyway, they came carrying them filled with swimming stuff - suits, towels, sunscreen, etc. I was so happy to see that they are still getting some use of them now that they are grown-up fifth graders-to-be.

Still very little going on here in terms of sewing. We are getting ready for my DH's garden club meeting which will be here at noon tomorrow. Today will be cleaning and cooking! After tomorrow's meeting, Sharon is coming to sew. We will get our day one way or another - even if we have to start late!

And, perhaps you'd be interested -- today is Sharon's birthday!! We will celebrate with gift-giving tomorrow!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Sewing With Kids

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to take my machine and some supplies to Mom's, where I met my 10-year-old nieces for a bit of sewing. The plan for the day was to make a flannel pillowcase.

First we drove over to WalMart so they could pick their fabrics. This took longer than actually making them. Too many decisions!! Eventually, each girl selected a main fabric, a cuff fabric and an accent fabric. In actuality, the choices were limited; I'd hate to think how long it would have taken if we'd gone to a proper quilt shop for flannel!!

I followed a Missouri Star Quilt Company video for measurements and sewing directions. For each cut of fabric, I got a bit extra so the girls would have some remnants to play with. They were glad about that.

Here's a photo story of our fun few hours of sewing. They watched while I cut all the fabrics to the correct size, and helped with pinning. They liked the metaphor of rolling up the end into a "burrito" and were glad to help with that part, too.

 

Both girls were quite intent as they stitched, working so very hard to follow the line on the machine to end up with a straight seam. We had a bit of curviness, but mostly, they did great.

Anna Rose unrolls her "burrito."

And she seems very pleased with her work!

Mary Jean works at unrolling her "burrito."

Here is MJ turning her finished pillowcase right side out.

Success! Satisfied smiles and warm, flannel pillowcases.

The girls are progressing quite well with their sewing. We have had 3 or 4 sessions together, and they continue to show improvement. Most of all, they want to learn, which makes all the difference.

I am linking today with Monday Making.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Sewing With Nieces

If anyone thinks kids would have absolutely no interest in sewing, then let me introduce you to Anna Rose and Mary Jean, my soon-to-be 10-year-old nieces. They have appeared here on the blog in a few earlier posts, but it's been awhile. (See them at age 2. Or at age 5. Or at age 7.) On Sunday, we met at my mother's house (Grandma Jeannie, to the grandkids). She set up two card tables in her sunroom, I brought both my machines, some fabric and supplies, and we had a day of sewing. What fun!

About a week ago, I received a text message from them asking to sew with Aunt Jayne. We set a date for the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to meet at Grandma Jeannie's for an afternoon of sewing. That gave me time to shop for colorful, kid-appealing fat quarters at JoAnn Fabrics, which had a great sale going on. I'd determined that we would be making headbands, so I also picked up some elastic.

Anna Rose cutting her fabric.

Mary Jean tried cutting with snipper scissors.

She found that she could cut faster with big shears.

Anna Rose with her blue-green headband.

Mary Jean with her purple polka dot headband.

My cutie-pies look adorable in their new headbands!

Their cousin Emma (my younger daughter) stopped by to help.

I was grateful for Emma's assistance! And the girls adore her!

 After the headbands were completed, they wanted to play in the fabric (I know the feeling!), so I just let them cut and create. Neither girl grew tired or bored, which I half expected as the afternoon wore on; I figured their attention span would at some point be ready for something else, but they remained engaged all afternoon and were actually sad when the time came to put all our stuff away. I am fairly certain we are going to make sewing together a regular activity.

Mary Jean is putting stuffing into a little doll pillow.

She made two pillows. 

Anna Rose wanted to cut shapes and put them on the fabric. I told her this was a real quilty thing called applique. Don't you think she did great?

By late in the afternoon, I wasn't needed to hover over them; they were capable and comfortable using the machines, and were completely engaged in creating little bags or pillows or applique panels. I made 4 more headbands while they created. These can be shared between them or given to friends.

As we headed home after a very long day - we'd gone to an 8am service at Chapel in the Woods, and finished off the day with a cookout at long-time friends, Jim and Shirley's - I remarked to DH that I hoped the day was one the girls would remember long into their old age. Some days from my childhood are seared into my memory; I'd like to think we accomplished that with these dear sweet nieces.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Twins Getting Ready for Halloween

Last Saturday afternoon I headed over to Hillsboro and had a nice, long visit with Mother, and who should pop in for a visit but my favorite twin nieces. Suddenly, things got very busy! After a nice dinner provided by my brother and sister-in-law, Granny Jeannie brought out . . . activities!!

On the fireplace hearth, she had two small pumpkins that needed to be decorated, and Granny had just the stuff. The girls were in heaven! The creativity kicked in, and here are their finished pumpkins.

After they finished with their pumpkins, Granny brought out some Christmas stencils that date back to when I was a little girl! I couldn't believe that Mom still had them! The twins went right to work creating some fantastic pictures.

Last night, their mother, my s-i-l Ann, sent these pictures of them dressed in their costumes for trick-or-treat. Absolutely adorable!! It doesn't seem possible that they are 9 already. Seems like only yesterday they looked like this. If you click that link, you'll see them at age 2 in their Easter dresses. Apparently, I don't have any pictures of them prior to that posted on the blog.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Readers! I have so many blessing for which I am grateful. I have been reflecting on those blessings and giving thanks.

I have had some diverse fun the past few days. On Tuesday evening I went with 6 family members to Cincinnati to see White Christmas The Musical at the Aronoff Center.

The show was fantastic. The costumes, the singing and especially the dancing - all were exceptional. This show was a treat in every way. As my sister said, "Best night ever!" We all had a wonderful time.

The sweet twins, my nieces Anna Rose and Mary Jean, attended with us. Aren't they growing? They are now 8-year-old second graders.

 A very cool opportunity to support our servicemen and women was available to us at the Aronoff. Guests were invited to sign cards which were collected and will be delivered to deployed military around the world. The girls sent their sweet sentiments, as did the rest of us. Talk about blessing - I am grateful to our military, for sure.

We also had to get a picture of the twins with their Grandma Jeannie. If you want to take in a show at the Aronoff, I suggest you allow time to dine at Trattoria Roma which is just a half a block away and easy walking distance from the theatre. We had a wonderful meal - from wine and appetizers to entrees and dessert.

All of this festivity resulted in my staying the night in Hillsboro at my mother's. I thought you'd enjoy seeing the beautiful flowers blooming in her sun room. Many, many healthy African violets and a whopping Christmas cactus that is just beginning to come into bloom. By Christmas it will be full of bright red flowers.

Through all of this, we are cat sitting for our older daughter while she and her husband spend the long Thanksgiving weekend at her in-laws'.

He's such a handsome kitty. He loves coming here as he has space in which to roam after being limited to his 1-bedroom apartment in Columbus.

I have done minimal sewing, but a finish was accomplished. I will share that soon, as well as some fun projects from the Frankfort girls.

Wishing you all a most blessed Thanksgiving!