My grandmother sewed things for me on her treadle sewing machine when I was a child. As I grew a little older, sewing my own clothes became a way of life. I can still specifically recall a few of the dresses that I made when I was in sixth grade. (One in particular sported, the then popular, Elizabeth Taylor ruffles.) I'm positive that the seams were uneven and the construction far from perfect, but I proudly wore my creations to school. This weekend, my grand daughters, Haven and Maelie, hopefully began a life long love of sewing.
Maelie is only three so she mainly just sat on my lap, put her hands on the fabric and pulled pins when I asked her to. But, Haven, at six, got to man the gas pedal and put her hands on the fabric! (Her boy cousins have gotten to sew with me lately as well, and believe me, they like to drive sew a whole lot faster than Haven!)
I let Haven and Maelie each pick their favorite fabric from my stash of Flea Market Fancy to create little skirts using this free instructions from Oliver + S. There is only one seam in the skirt, elastic in the waist and a ribbon hem. We just used what I had on hand. (Oliver+S is also offering 25% off on all patterns through Saturday!)
After a little shopping to pick out new tops to go with the skirts, the girls and I were ready to go out for lunch in their first "made by me" finery. They were super proud!!
Try it! You'll like it!
They are so cute and their skirts turned out great!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! They're both beautiful and lucky to have a grandma like you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time you ALL had! And what sweet little girls!
ReplyDeleteThey look so cute in their cute little skirts! How fun to be able to sew with Grandma!
ReplyDeleteThat's sooo great! I've got my 4 year old granddaughter sewing and she is just loving it too. Funny how much they like to pull out the pins :) she also gets a kick out of clipping the thread! For some reason I have patience that I didn't ave with my own kids. Guess that's a good thing about getting older! They're adorable - I bet you're enjoying every minute!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet, they did a wonderful job on them to.I just have grandson's and although Jonah (who is blind) liked to sit on my knee at three and push the fabric through he is really more interested in how it works then using it now (5 1/2). Continue to have fun with them they will always remember sewing with you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory you made with them! The girls are adorable and so are the skirts!
ReplyDeleteYour granddaughters are adorable and their skirts/outfits are so precious! They'll always remember this weekend. A time never to be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI still recall sitting next to my grandmother hemming my first dress, as if it were yesterday, 40 plus years ago - shhh! I remember where we sat together; I remember her patient instruction; I remember the color and design of my dress--a pink and white plaid drop waist dress with an off-center bow. You see, not only have you made memories for your granddaughters, you are bringing them back for big kids such as myself. Love it!
How lovely! I started James on his first quilt in the holidays before he started school. He's made 3 so far, and already has plans for the 4th. Eleanor turned 5 today (her gift from James was a quilt he made forher teddies), and she starts school in 10 days, so is about to start her first quilt this week.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this...all of it! So so special!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh don't I wish! These are cute and look like fun to sew. I'm so proud of Maelie and Haven. They did a beautiful job. Great work, girls. Have fun sewing something else with Lolly.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! My grandmother bought me my first sewing machine when I was seventeen and it was she who taught me to use it - the first thing I made was also a skirt. When we didn't know how to do something on the machine, we referred to "the book of the words"!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and productive time spent together. A real memory to be treasured by all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great project! I'm sure the girls are very proud of their handiwork.
ReplyDeleteCute skirts for cute girls!
ReplyDeleteMy son (almost 4) loves to help sewing, at first he just sat on my lap and helped me guiding the fabric, then he wanted to try the gas pedal, so I sat him beside me, put the pedal on a box and let him "accelerate" and "brake" while I fed the fabric through - just imagine the happy face! :-)
I used the very same pattern to make a skirt with my 7 yr. old granddaughter! She LOVES to sew with Grandmama and we spend a lot of time together making simple things. I love the time we spend together. Your 2 little granddaughters are so precious. We have a lot in common!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Gmama Jane
I recognize those little hands! The skirts turned out great and Haven was so excited to tell me all about making them! Mae's account was much more brief. :) Thanks so much for doing this with them...I'm sure this little project will be a fond memory for both of them!
ReplyDeleteWhat adorable outfits! My grandson doesn't know it yet, but he'll be getting sewing lessons with grandma!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on finishing your Farmer's Wife blocks. They are fabulous!!
That's so wonderful! I am not sure what skills I'll get to teach my nephew and which ones his parents will want to keep to themselves but I'm hoping he's interested in sewing since I know I can totally hog that one. :-)
ReplyDeleteadorable in every way! I am going to check out the pattern. Nothing like a sweet sewing grandma passing on the love of sewing. My little granddaughter 5 soon to be six, loves to be in my sewing room with me. I am a new follower. This is my first time visiting you :)here on your blog and looking forward to getting to know you, I am just a hop and a skip away in not so far away iowa. janita
ReplyDeleteMy girls are 2 and 4 and they adore sewing, trust me it won't be long before your 3 year old is driving the machine by herself too. They have had a hand in softies, quilts, cushions and the latest has been a pillow sham. They love picking out the fabric and helping drive it through the machine. Keep it up, what a wonderful skill they will have gained.
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