Eva Learns to Sew

Eva is my oldest grand daughter. She likes to crochet, swim, play the violin and piano and sew!

I started teaching Eva to sew by hand when she was 4 or 5 during my annual visits. She is 10 now and becoming a lovely young lady. She is wearing her favorite pj's Becca made her!

She got a real sewing machine, however basic, for Christmas last year. So this past week our goal was to get her comfortable operating it and learning some basic techniques !

Fist she made this elastic waist dirndl skirt from some red paisley fabric she had picked out at the Fashion District two years ago. One seam, elastic waist and a pocket.

Eva likes to wear her skirts long. It was funny to hear her argue with her mom to make it longer! Boy, back in my day the it was the other way around!

Next her goal was to replicate her favorite peasant skirt. Attaching ruffles was challenging but she learns fast.

It was her idea to add the ribbon trim!

Teacher's Got a Brand New Bag

Both Lucy's and Henry's teachers have birthdays this week.  I wanted to do a little something for them, but it's hard to know what after only two weeks of school.

I ended up settling on book bags/reusable shopping bags.  That's something everyone can use, right?

I like how this green and gray one turned out.  I used a stiffer interfacing which made it stand up nicely.  It is a pretty big bag, so with out the extra structure, it would be hard to find things that fall to the bottom.

The second bag turned out a little smaller/narrower, but the handles are thicker.

I lined it with a vintage inspired children's print.

I did a stack of appliqued books, inspired by Emily's 12 Squared pick.  They are a little off center.  

Oops and oh well!

Hopefully, these teachers will feel appreciated, even if they are only educating my children for three short weeks.

Fabric:  Green/Gray Bag Outer- JoAnn's Home Dec

Linging- Michael Miller's Who's Hoot and Erin's Stripe

Fabric: Blue Grid Bag Outer- Goodwill remnant

Lining- Alexander Henry Go With Dick and Jane

Pattern: None

Maxi Boden Rainbow

Couldn't resist, Becca! Just had to see what a rainbow with my scraps would look like!

Thought I would try a version of the Mini Boden Rainbow. Except I forgot the mini part. On what should I applique this 8"X9" rainbow?

Note: It was nearly midnight when I made this and I didn't have any basting spray so I hand basted with large stitches. Nice to know the old techniques still work!

Matching Vests

Matching vests for 18 inch doll and a grand daughter.
Vest and shorts - Simplicity 7696

Doll skirt and vest- modified from Simplicity Crafts 2506.

Sunday Skirt

A new skirt for Lucy, similar to her first day of school  skirt from first grade.

This time, I added a pocket.

Fabric: Amy Butler Daisy Chain 

Pattern: none