Sewing with Lillian part 2
A few years ago, I taught my granddaughter Lillian to sew. She learned how to thread the machine, wind a bobbin, and practice straight stitching on paper patterns. When she was ready, we made some fabric bookmarks.
http://seamslikeastory.com/stitch-up-a-memory/
On a recent visit, older and wiser Lillian expressed an interest in doing another project together, so I suggested we try a simple apron. You know me… I’m ALL about aprons! http://seamslikeastory.com/apron-strings/
A “Swift” trip to the fabric store…
Off to the fabric store we went. Along the way, we cranked up the radio and belted out a Taylor Swift song. Having recently taught fourth graders, I was familiar with the song and Lillian thought it was funny that Grandma knew some of the words.
Once in the fabric store, Lillian had definite ideas about what she wanted. She was drawn to anything pink, purple, or sparkly. We decided to make the apron reversible and chose a yard each of a pink cheetah print and a turquoise-rainbow-unicorn-kitty fabric. We also purchased a small amount of rainbow-cheetah- print for pockets.
To complete our girls’ day out, we stopped by Starbucks where Lillian confidently ordered “a tall hot chocolate, kid temperature, with whipped cream.”
So now we sew…
When ready to begin our project, we used a pattern I’d traced from an existing apron and cut out the pieces. Though much more difficult than making bookmarks, Lillian stuck with the project. We sewed a little each day as patience and attention span allowed. I helped with some of the more difficult parts. When we got ready to sew on the pockets, Lillian got a measuring cup and wooden spoon from the kitchen to make sure we made sections for each. She also wanted the apron ties to be alternating. I never would have thought of that!
In the end I think she rocked her reversible pink-cheetah, rainbow unicorn apron, don’t you? The best part of the project was being able to spend precious moments with my granddaughter. She’s growing up before my eyes.
For her next project she wants to make shorts and a crop top, cheetah print of course. Heaven help me! 😂
Threads of thought:
What have you enjoyed teaching your grandchildren or children to do?
What did a grandparent teach you?
Do YOU know any Taylor Swift songs? 🙂
Good job Grandma!
That child is something else!
I know right?! She has definite opinions!
Great writing and great pics. I loved teaching my younger son to play tennis. He later played 4 years on his high school varsity team. My grandmother taught me possessions don’t make a person happy. Happiness comes from within. Taylor who? Go well. David
Thanks David. You taught your son a skill he can enjoy for life and your grandmother was wise. You gotta up your music game! (just kidding)
I love that a single apron can have everything that’s important to an 11-year old girl – unicorns, sparkles, rainbows, kitties, cheetah print. And, I love that she wanted to sew with you!
She’s growing up so fast. I know the time will come when hanging out with Grandma won’t be a priority, so I’m treasuring the moments now.
I Love the apron! The fabric choices are perfect and she looks fantastic in it. My grandmother taught me to crochet granny squares. I never made anything with them, but have a skill I can still summons when needed.
It was so fun to let her pick out her own fabric! I love that the you still know how to crochet. My mother-in-law taught me how to crochet, but I don’t remember how to do it now.