Just last week I showed her a project that I thought would be fun and reasonably easy to make (maybe even for Christmas gifts.) She decided she was interested (squeee!) and we have been working on those gifts together. So, since our family might read this we'll wait until after the holidays to share that project. However, we can show you the darling little bag we made together.
This little bag is to hold her toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush etc. for overnights. I had some leftover owl fabric from her "night owl pajama party" that I used to sew bags and pillows for the girls. Once again, the craft stash pays off! It's always so rewarding to use up scraps to make something useful that may have otherwise been tossed.
We didn't use a pattern to make the bag, we just figured out how tall it would need to be to fit her hairbrush and toothbrush and the amount of fabric we had determined the width. She sewed the side seams and pockets, helped assemble it together (with the "full size" machine, not the kiddie one!) Next, I figured out how to put the lining inside and attach the handle. Then, she proudly attached the button herself. ;) It was definitely a team effort. Next project will have to be "all Maddy."
It's been a delight teaching her how to sew. My grandmother taught my mom, my mom taught me and now I'm sharing that legacy with Maddy. It hasn't been without tears, she was so upset the first "mistake" she made but it was a good teaching opportunity. I introduced her my good friend, the seam ripper. "Get to know it well, it will be your friend too!" I think it helped dry those tears when I shared some tales of the seam ripper. Sometimes the best way to learn is to learn from your mistakes. It's always easier when you can fix them too! :)
I look forward to many more projects together with my seamstress-in-training!
