On Wednesday, I took our teen to see the premiere of the new season of Glee at a charity event to benefit Grammy in the Schools. It was shown at an old theatre in town, with live performances and free treats ahead of time. Seemed like a great chance to go out, get to know one another, and enjoy her spring break.
We had a super fun time, but I think listening to her talk to others about what she does and what I do was the best part for me. This year, her break has been a staycation, so we’ve spent more of it together than we might ordinarily have done: a day at the dentist (funner than it sounds), working in the shop with me, the Glee premiere, shooting a film project for a family friend, having her hair done at a local salon. She has conversations everywhere we’ve been, and gets asked if she sews. “A little,” she replies. She goes with me to events like the Glee screening, and gets asked, “Did you make your outfit?” She says, “No, my mom did–she sews a lot.” I feel a mix of pride and worry when I hear that from her, wishing that she could proudly say that SHE sews a lot, or that she had made her own outfit.
One of the biggest sewing goals most of us set for ourselves for 2010 was to sew more for our families, ourselves. To make more clothing. I’m tallying up what all I’ve made for me this pregnancy, and I come up with one top–that’s it. I look at my child’s summer wardrobe now that the warm weather is coming, and she has not a single pair of shorts that fit her–just a pair of jean cut-offs, which quite honestly, don’t make the grade.
So let’s hear it: what garments should we be sewing for ourselves and our loved ones? Do we need more tops (which we could be entering into Rae’s Spring Top Week)? Do we need sassy spring skirts that go with everything? Do we need to finally tackle a fabulous shorts pattern (like the adorable sailor shorts I saw on someone’s blog last summer and cannot find for the life of me today)?
Come out of hiding, leave a comment, and let’s get a list going–it’s time to start sharing some pattern numbers and encouraging one another to get sewing! I’d love to discover the perfect pattern to inspire my high schooler to get the dust off the machine she received for her last birthday, and make some projects for herself this summer…
Michael Moebes, Esq.
April 9, 2010 at 9:05 amI’d like a silk suit. Maybe some nice lady will make me one after we get the fabric together in Italy.
Edris
April 9, 2010 at 12:57 pmI need cute tops (head over to Made by Rae and check out the flickr photos for inspiration) and sassy summer dresses. I really want to start wearing dresses again. They are totally simple and no need to match anything else up with them. During the summer my style is grab an go. The kids and I spend most of our time on some outing — zoo, pool. gardens, playground etc. It’s hot here in Atlanta so easy breezy is essential. I will be making some simple dresses for my daughter as well. The little guy, hmmm not sure what I’ll be making him.
Kim
April 9, 2010 at 1:29 pmI’d love a pattern for anything I could coerce a 7yo tomboy to wear this summer with her ubiquitous jeans … or tshirts … Does such a nongirly, but not too nongirly, cute, yet not too cute, item exist?
Janelle
April 9, 2010 at 2:31 pmIn response to Kim, my daughter (3 1/2) refuses to wear dresses anymore, which has me almost in tears since I love making her little dresses. Instead, I’ve been making Portabellopixie’s Ruffle Pants pattern quite a bit, which my daughter loves and makes me feel like she looks very girly, even without a dress on. I don’t know, the ruffles might be too much for your tomboy, but you could give it a try. Good luck.
Alexandra
April 9, 2010 at 2:49 pmMy daughters desperately need ‘short pants’ for the summer. So easy to whip up, I just need more hours in the day…..
CrazyMomTats!
April 10, 2010 at 9:14 pmHey – I was at the far end of the table at Manuel’s last night – had a great time with all of you. You sew beautifully. I used to sew a lot (former costume designer), but with 3 teen boys, not much sewing here. I make lace when I’m not working….
Amber Star
April 10, 2010 at 10:16 pmI came via Bossy’s bash pictures. I’ll leave you alone about clothes for me. The outfits you made for your daughters and son are so cute!
I didn’t get the gift of being able to make clothes. I can make curtains and flat things, but my early attempts at skirts, etc. were not a pretty thing. I’ll leave the sewing to you, since you are very good at it.
Oh yeah…I love Glee, too. 🙂
Chrissy Weeks
April 11, 2010 at 9:08 pmI cut a bunch of projects and then I sew them all. I have a burda style website pattern all ready to be cut. which means I printed it from the website and have taped it back together and cut the paper out. It is a bat wing shirt so should be pretty cool. I am making it from jersey as well as McCalls 5893 dress pattern I plan to cut tomorrow. Have McCalls M5701 all cut and ready to sew. And will cut a few pairs of shorts and some tops for my daughter. Hope to get all this stuff sewn in the next 2 weeks! Crazy, I know! but i am pretty fast 😉
Peace out – C
Deanna
April 12, 2010 at 12:53 pmI just sewed myself a new dress on Friday night to wear to dinner on Saturday. I’m quite proud of finishing it in one night, especially since i was missing any instructions in English beyond step 7 (about 35 total). This was the first thing I’ve sewn for myself in a long time. I would like to make myself some more skirts to wear in the summer time. They look so much better on me than shorts do.
Crystal P
April 12, 2010 at 3:42 pmHi!! I REALLY need to sew more. When my husband deployed I thought I would have more time to sew but I was definitely wrong. I’m a beginner and can’t read patterns (I just use them to cut the pieces and assemble them in a way that seems sturdy and sensible, hey lol it works). Sewing makes me feel so good but in my “free time” I haven’t been able to convince myself too. I have so many occasions coming up and this blog is helping motivate me. I would really love to make my daughter some beautiful summery dresses and maybe DIY a nifty tshirt for my boys.