Thursday, July 21, 2011

collaborative sewing with kids


I was in my sewing room this morning, stitching up more flying geese for my Doll Quilt Swap quilt, when Claire came in and started digging through my fabrics. And she asked me to sew her a bag. I tend to tell the girls that I'll sew for them another day, then that day just keeps getting pushed back and things don't get done at all. (I'll admit, I'm a selfish crafter and I usually have my limited naptime sewing time all planned out. I don't think I'm alone there?) So I told her to pick out fabrics and tell me what she wanted.

Claire started with the turquoise and pink plaid (because she likes fancy things like private school, and private school uniforms are plaid, you know) and pointed to my rainbow zip pouch, asking if I could make her's just the same but with a strap. I secretly hoped that the plaid would be part of the strip and that I could convince her to use some denim or linen for the main part of the bag. But no! She wanted it to be the main fabric, and her selection of accent solids and prints quickly followed. I found a piece of webbing for the strap, she picked out a hot pink zipper, and a half hour later we had a finished bag.



I won't lie-- this bag is not at all my style. The super bright colors and crazy mix of prints sort of make my eyes hurt. But Claire LOVES it. I love that she designed it herself and feels so proud about her choices. That's something I really have to remember about sewing for kids-- they have different ideas about what is fun and fresh. Those ideas are likely to be different than mine. And that's a good thing.


Next up is a school bag for Avery. She wants something big in place of a backpack and has picked out this Appleville print as her main fabric. Looks like I've got lots of bright sewing ahead!

15 comments:

adnohr said...

I think it's great. It's nice to pause from our plans to work on a collaborative improv project once in a while.

Liz @ LivingMySweetLife said...

Aw, this is wonderful! I love the way you put the strap on!

Amy Friend said...

Good for you for taking the time to do that. I know it's hard. I struggle with the same thing. Recently, I helped Timothy sew a Spiderman pillow (ick!). Her bag looks really cute and she is clearly thrilled.

Faith Jones said...

This is such a sweet post and I had to comment because I can totally relate. I too am a selfish crafter and my kids stuff just gets pushed off and pushed off. Finally today I said ok, and I made my daughter 2 things I had been promising her. She is SO happy. I must remember to do that more often.

stitchinpenny said...

I love the bag and it is so wonderful that you allowed her the freedom to make her own choices.

Poppyprint said...

What a good mom!!! It's an adorable bag!

tiffany said...

I loved this post, and I can completely relate. Funny thing, I clicked on the Appleville link as my daughter was walking by - she let out a shriek of glee, and proclaimed that was EXACTLY the fabric she wanted for her new school lunch bag... which, apparently I'm going to make as soon as my Pink Chalk order arrives! ;)

Lynz said...

I think that's a gorgeous bag!! I'm guilty too of the "not now, darling" fob off - you make me want to try and be better about spending more time helping that Chook of mine. Some reward if you get a smile like that!!

Doris said...

I adore this story... and what is more perfect for a school bag than that Appleville print? I remember begging my momma to sew for me, too!

Rachel at Stitched in Color said...

Honestly, I really like it! It looks precisely like something my daughter would like and it has that happy-go-lucky childhood vibe. I think she's got great taste.

Kathy H said...

I love the purse. And it is so wonderful to work with your child on a project. SOmething to remember forever.

Anonymous said...

It's so perfectly young & fresh! My daughter would LOVE it too...and you know, they are the up and comers of fashion. I think letting her have the reigns is wonderful...

Alisa said...

Great bag! My kids always pick out fabrics and combinations that I don't love as well. But that's what makes them unique people.

She really does look proud on that last photo!

löki gale said...

Wow. Those two are getting so tall!

Kate S. said...

I think this turned out great - definitely bright and kid-appropriate but I think she did a great job picking everything out (and a fun idea to make a zip pouch and then add a strap!).