I've enjoyed participating in the Kids Clothes Week Challenge this past week, mostly because it's motivated me to start sewing again. I didn't quite meet the requirement of an hour a day. Some days I sewed more than the hour minimum, but there were a couple days when I didn't sew at all. I guess it evens out. I did get a lot done:
- 1 dress for Maia
- 1 skirt and t-shirt (embellished) for Maia
- 1 dress for a friend
- 1 pinafore for Maia
- 1 apron for Maia
- 4 aprons for her preschool fundraiser
- Some digging through my fabric stash and planning
Sadly nothing for Daphne. Perhaps I'll sew her something this week, although she really doesn't need anything clothes-wise right now.
I've especially enjoyed involving Maia in the process of making her clothes. Printing the leaves on fabric was a wonderful experience for both of us and one that I'd like to repeat. Having Maia draw pictures on the pinafore pockets was fun for Maia and resulted in a truly one-of-a-kind pinafore. She also used the fabric scraps for collaging, drew and cut out a pocket that she said she was going to sew to one of my (?) skirts, and tried a little hand sewing.
What's the next step? Letting Maia design her own clothes? Pamela of In My Shoes did. (Thanks, Meg, for pointing this out to me!) You can see her child's sketches and the finished outfits here and here. They are brilliant!
When I asked Maia if there was anything in particular she wanted me to sew for her (inspired by Pamela, of course) and if she wanted to draw it for me so I would know how to sew it, I wasn't expecting a purple monster costume. A dress perhaps. Not a monster. But she very enthusiastically described it in full detail, from the scary mask and the purple fur down to the claws on the hands and feet.
Oh dear. What did I get myself in for?!
