This is the first of our sewing projects this fall. Seems right after I publicly declared my disinterest in sewing clothing we launched into….. sewing clothing. ; ) Once the sewing supplies were all organized and the table cleared it became much more inviting. This time I have little elves to help too.

Friends have discussed life skills curricula – both purchased and home grown lists – to use with older children. Our approach has been more laid back but very effective. We figure if we never do a job alone then eventually they will learn to do all that we can do. That doesn’t equate to brilliance, granted, but hey, we are fairly proficient at basic life skills. So that has been the way we have done things. This sewing venture has been no exception.

Alannah and I worked side by side on this one. I showed her how I read and laid out the pattern pieces and she did most of the machine work. This pattern (McCall’s 9603) was less than ideal. The piecing instructions were unnecessarily complicated. We will employ logical shortcuts next time like attaching the sleeves to the shoulders (and finishing the wrists) before running up the sleeve and side seams. Also their neck facing was a mess and didn’t even fit the neck of the bodice. We will use bias tape or ribbon or the like from here out.

Still, one look at the sweet corduroy print made it worthwhile. : )