She stood just inside the kitchen door, clutching a large brown carrier bag, and announced that she had decided that she wanted to make a quilt for her mummy.
Inwardly, I groaned. Outwardly I beamed, and got up to help her set up the second hand sewing machine which I had so foolishly bought for her last Christmas.
A child-sized, but perfectly functional, basic sewing machine, complete with a very necessary finger-guard. It took me an age to remember exactly how to thread it up, we got there in the end.
Then she revealed the fabrics she wanted to use - felt, lots of it. Nothing else would do. The colours were very carefully selected, positioned, approved. We set to work.
This was when I discovered that she had already had a couple of attempts at making the quilt herself. She had tried to put it together using sticky tape, and when that failed, glue... My heart melted, she really wanted to make this quilt!
I think she was surprised at how much work goes into making even the simplest and most basic of quilts, all the repetition. She persevered, only giving up when she was called home for lunch.
She has since told her mother that she is making a quilt for her, but she isn't to ask her anything about it, because it is to be a surprise.
Kids you can't say no now can you all you can do is encourage and help
ReplyDeleteShe was singing away as she sewed, I wish I could bottle that happiness!
DeleteStart them young. Bless her, she is determined and I am sure this first try will lead to her being a happy quilt maker in the future.
ReplyDeleteShe had that burning desire to make something. It has worn off now, but she will be back. It was great fun.
DeleteOh what fun for the summer holidays.and what a clever grand daughter. At her age the things I made with felt were comb cases and knitting needle cases! - Blanket stitch!
ReplyDeleteGoodness knows why she wanted to make a quilt - on such a hot day!
DeleteI miss sewing with my DGD's
ReplyDeleteI should think that quilt-making would be a bit difficult, space-wise!!
DeleteOh forgot to say.....Son says Big Thank you for the Archaeology mags he says they will be brilliant for background stuff for work and yes please to any others. I read his house number as 20 from my address book and it should be 26! but they got there OK. ( All the children have moved house so many times I still have to look up addresses!)
ReplyDeleteGood, they arrived! I am delighted they arrived. I have noted the change of number, ready for the next lot. I'll send more as and when I have the opportunity. I'm glad they are going to be useful.
DeleteThat melted my heart, what a lovely gift. Made with love, it doesn't get any better.
ReplyDeleteShe was so caught up in that need to make something, it was wonderful!
DeleteWonderful gift for her! So lovely of her to make a quilt for her mother! Nice to see her finished one. It looks good:)
ReplyDeleteShe had so much enthusiasm, it was a pleasure to help her.
DeleteI have been thinking of teaching my youngest Grand daughter how to sew on the machine, I have a childs on in the cupboard.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good idea to make it in felt.
Briony
x
I tried to interest her in some other fabrics, but she had already decided that it had to be felt and had brought it all with her. As it turned out, it was a good choice. It was easy for her to manage, it grew quickly and she soon got that glow of happiness as she saw her project grow. The finger guard saved me a lot of anxious moments!
Deletebless her for her persistence, and bless you for your patience. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure, I got totally swept along by her joy in the project!
DeleteThis is so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteShe is the kind of girl who is much more likely to be performing cartwheels and handstands, normally. I was impressed at the way she stay focused on the work.
DeleteOh, how I love this! It is especially meaningful to me since I have been helping my girls learn to sew. We are still doing hand sewing, but I know sewing on the machine is right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteThis is the very first time she has shown any interest in sewing - trust her to go for such a big project. It was nice that she got the satisfaction of seeing her work grow, no doubt she will be struck by the need to make and create some other time. Meanwhile, she is back to enjoying all her outdoor hobbies again. Your girls are lucky to have such a wonderful teacher.
DeleteShe is sweet and you are a wonderful Nana... :-)
ReplyDeleteThere was no way I was going to burst that bubble of enthusiasm!
DeleteI was never taught to sew by my mother although she could knit and embroider, and tried to teach me those skills at which I was less than hopeless, but she also taught me to cook and that is something at which I'm reasonably proficient (as well as having what was then called Domestic Science lessons at my grammar school - to have called it cookery would have lowered the tone, but giving it a science soubriquet was acceptable, haha!) I can sew, I've made dresses (needlework lessons, again at grammar school, but only for a couple of years and then you had to choose between needlework and domestic science and I preferred to cook!)and I've made curtains (proper lined ones) but now if any sewing needs doing I take it to a seamstress if it's awkward and if it's easy I get husband to do it! Be sews on the buttons and mends hems and so forth. I still prefer to cook!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Sewing at school! I think we made a needlework case, an apron and then the dreaded Dirndl skirt, back in the day when I think my measurements were 28", 28", 28"! Of course we didn't need the chest measurement, or the hips (none of us had any at that time, anyway) but they let us loose with a tape measure, so we had fun. Isn't it funny how we are able to tackle quite large projects reasonably happily, but the shirt with a missing button, or a hem which needs a little attention... I speak as someone who will hide the mending jobs away, ignore them for ages, until they are shouting so loudly, demanding to be let out of the cupboard, that I have to finally thread a needle and do the repairs. A sewing husband - hmmmmn, I wonder whether it is too late to train mine.
Delete28”, 28”, 28” Made me laugh, much needed at the mo! Elaine you are a wag, in the genes... naturally! Serves you right giving the little lass a sewing machine, much better an electric drill then she could have badgered her Grandpa to make her Daddy a work bench.
ReplyDeleteLX
I can see the room, the girls, the teacher and remember the fun of messing about with those tape measures, we were all desperately yearning to have chesticles larger than tiddlywinks so that we could wear a bra! I hope things are as good as they can be for your old friend.x
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