who knew?
Inspired by the combined craftiness and cleverness of several friends, I finally pulled up my hand-me-down sewing machine from the dusty basement. After setting it up by the sunniest window in the house, I hunted down the fabric I bought nearly nine months ago for a March baby. It’s March and that little babe is scheduled to make an appearance this Monday, so it was high time to pull out the pins and put my foot to the petal.
The only problem was I haven’t sewed in years. I took my friend’s sewing machine when she moved to Manhattan five years ago with the very best intentions. Other than sewing incense cedar on eighty Christmas cards three years ago, I have not used the machine. The pile of mending that is stationed next to it should be relabeled the pile of doom or the pile of things-that-will-sit-here-until-they-are-thrown-away.
Thanks to this:
the intense 4-H training I received as a young girl, and my handy stitch-ripper, I managed to sew, resew, and resew again my way through the entire project.
I’m saving the pictures of my not-so-perfect baby gift until it has actually been gifted to the baby. I, however, do have pictures of Ava’s newest kerchief:
After finishing the present yesterday, I hadn’t had my fill of sewing. Ava was quite dismayed that the present wasn’t for her and if you haven’t noticed, I’m becoming increasingly obsessed with head scarves. After Ava went to bed, I took some extra fabric, a bit of elastic and voila:
I was so pleased with myself that I brought it to Ava in bed. She was delighted and asked to sleep with all her kerchiefs.
When I peeked in on her before I went to bed, I found that she had converted all her scarves into sleep sacks for her smallest stuffed animals.
She’s a considerate little gypsy girl.
P.S. I don’t know when that booklet was printed, but for anyone who thinks girls’ clothes are immodest now, please take a closer look at that little girl’s dress. Really, a pair of tights or at least matching bloomers would be in order.
Ha-ha! I thought the same thing about the girl on the booklet. Perhaps the mother is sewing her a better fitting frock?
elisa
My mom says that dresses were so short then because fabric was in short supply due to the war. But that booklet was just before the war, so??
The headscarf is very cute…I love that Birch Blossom fabric, I made a pincushion from it and have more plans for the rest.
Happy Sewing!
~Rebecka
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love the Burt’s Bees products, but haven’t tried their cuticle cream. Thanks to you, I most certainly won’t put it on my lips, but I did have a laugh at your expense.
Your daughter is so cute in her kerchief. Makes me wish to learn to sew and that my daughter would wear things on her head.
Nice blog!
I didn’t know you were in 4-H! I was too – for 10 years! Except for some curtains and a little mending, I haven’t sewn anything with a machine since I was 13. How sad that I had more domestic skills at 13 than I do now!
That fabric is darling! Looking forward to seeing the gift when it’s time. I too had to wait to post about my photography books because the black and white covered one I gave as a baby shower gift today. FINALLY I can post my link to my bookstore!
another “FINALLY” – I’m updating my link to your blog from your old address. Sorry it took me FOREVER.
I pledge my hands to larger service,
My head to better thinking, and
My health to better living.
For my club,
My community,
My country, and
My world.
How’d I do?
What talent, Rach!!! I am impressed with your sewing skills.
Ava sure looks cute in her head gear…I love it!!!
Rachel, no. Tell me it ain’t so. You’ve crossed over to the dark side. Sewing! Crafty! It pains me to see you like this.
OK, kidding! I am obviously NOT one of the inspirations for your craftiness.
And the kerchief is very cute. Think I could make one?
Very cute! But of course, what wouldn’t look darling atop Ava’s noggin?!
And yes, that dress is downright racey!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to see the baby gift. I too have owned a sewing machine for years and have completed two projects with close supervision of my mother-in-law.
Creative, but not so organized. Thanks for the inspiration!
YEA! She Sews!! She can do it! Excited to see your handi-work! I haven’t had success with sewing elastic. Do you have a trick?
Oh how I wish I could sew. And I think Ava’s kerchiefs are adorable! If I ever have a little girl, I plan on ensuring that she is well stocked with cute little kerchiefs.
And I agree about the modesty thing! I just had the Brady Bunch on the other day (hey, I was sick) and was embarrassed for how short Cindy’s little dress was!
[...] a library book I needed to return yesterday as well as the embroidery floss needed to complete the baby gift I still haven’t mailed. If you look closely you will see an ad that expired on [...]
Love, love, love the kerchief, can you make me one? pretty please?