Last Christmas, my Darling Daughter surprised me with a Caribbean Cruise. We went in October and, in spite of Superstorm Sandy, we had a wonderful cruise. My greedier self wondered how she would top last year's gift. Well, she did. She wants to learn to sew and asked for a sewing machine. The gift is just as much mine as hers. We spent the weekend before Christmas sewing together. What gift could be better than that?
As soon as she told me what she wanted, I ran to my trusted dealer to select a starter machine. I was shown two options in my price range:
Babylock Molly and
Singer Confidence Stylist. The two machines were exactly the same price. I chose the Singer because it had a few more bells and whistles and gave her more room to grow if she sticks with it.
So, on the Friday and Saturday before Christmas, I taught my daughter to sew.
First, she got familiar with using the machine, including good posture.
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| Before: Aching back after 20 minutes |
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| After: Ready to sew for hours |
Her first project was a pouch, and she was quite proud.
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| Look, Mom! I did it! |
Our next lesson was reading a pattern, layout and cutting.
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| Cutting out pattern pieces |
Finally, she made her first garment, a skirt,
KwikSew 3765 , which, when you compare construction techniques, was very similar to the pouch!
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| First garment! (Unhemmed) |
She was a very good student and her attention to detail borders on obsessive. I also bought her a book,
Sewing 101, a very good book for beginners with DVD included and I recommended she take a class at JoAnn. I wish she lived closer so I could work with her more. But, I had a great time teaching her and she seems willing to keep sewing.
Look like you both had a great time. What a lovelygreat way to break a machine in. Telll her I love her skirt and I look forward to seeing more of her work in the very near future :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the wonderful Christmas gift! I remember when my daughter first learned to sew, it was the most amazing feeling to pass this gift along. I'm sure she will keep it up because clothes ARE expensive!
ReplyDeleteGreat! I remember it wasn't too long ago when you were telling us how you wished she had a liking for sewing! :-). See, now she does. They come along when they're ready (as if I know) :-). I'm smiling with her cause I just posted a couple on my blog as I haven't sewn (until this week) in about 18 months. :-). I didn't realize that SEWING 101 book had DVD. Is she still in school or graduated?
ReplyDeleteI'm going to Petersburg on Jan 3 (my bd) to see my youngest nephew play ball (he goes to St Augg's in Raleigh). We're not too far from each other so we gotta hook up the next time you're this way. :-)
BTW: SO GOOD hearing from you! I've been checking your blog a few times a week for months (even though I wasn't blogging myself) :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift for both of you - the gift of sewing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift to both of you! She is certainly an apt student. I am glad you didn't buy the Babylock since I had an opportunity to sew with an entry level machine during a class recently and I was not impressed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift for you both and a very fun way to spend the holidays!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so exciting! How wonderful that you have this to pass on to your daughter. Mine has absolutely no interest in sewing, and I would love to teach her. What a great way for the two of you to spend time together!
ReplyDeleteDon't give up hope! Mine had absolutely no interest either. Now, I'm hoping she sticks with it.
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