All Sewn Up!
Oh, he just doesn’t want to stop! So, today we designed an apron for him to use in the kitchen. This project turned out to be a little more than we expected since we decided to “wing it” without a pattern. There were a few minor hiccups and few things we would change if we did it again.
Hmm… might be time for a haircut. Here he is at his “future self’s” sewing machine. He reminded me no less than a dozen times today that he has big plans for this machine. He sure hopes I get a new one soon. He’d like it to be able to do fancy stitches so that he can borrow it once in awhile. *cough* Ok, that last idea was mine. But I’d share!
Yes, that would be painter’s tape on my ceiling. It’s been there for 18 months and I swear I am going to finish this room if it kills IZ. Heh. I mean it, this weekend buddy. You, me, and Latex. . . paint!
Hey IZ… you notice the baby-pudge in his chin? You know what that means, don’t you? Uh-huh. Growth spurt on the horizon. Or as I like to think of them: Shopping Spree. Wish I could grow. I want new jeans. We really are the big sucking sound in your life, aren’t we?
Can you see Picachu on the pocket? I did not pick out these fabrics. In fact, the boy and I had a long conversation on the short ride to JoAnn’s—I explained that I would point out the kind of fabric he could choose from, since not all fabric would make a good apron. Yeah, that plan delusion lasted exactly 30 seconds. The moment he saw the bolt of Pokeman fabric he let out a huge, “MOM!! Picachu, Picachu!!” Sigh. Ten year olds. Oh well, it’s his apron and he had to sew it. If you can’t sew on fabric you love then why sew, right?
He did finally decide that he only wanted a pocket out of it since the fabric was so busy. Oh. My. Eyes. I’m so glad he did too, otherwise there would have been serious restrictions about when he could wear that thing. Like, not before Mommy has had her coffee, thank you!
We decided to make the apron reverse-able. I like his color choices for this. Considering the fabric selections at JoAnn’s, I think he did a good job choosing fabric. His apron smacks of being 10. That’s a good thing!
And look, it’s functional! See, I know what you were thinking before, “A Kangaroo pocket on an apron??” But admit it, it makes sense now, doesn’t it?
Oh, and here are a few photos of our last project that I finally got around to photographing. Again, he put the fabric together.
I’m pretty sure he could be talked into making more of these if you asked NICELY. (I really should let him make a few and put them on etsy for him. He just so desperate to make some money of his own. Being 10 is so hard!)
This thing is remarkably handy! We found the idea on Whip-up and while we didn’t follow the directions exactly (neither of us has patience for that sort of thing) I think it still turned out well.
So, Plastic Bag Dispenser: check! Reverse-able Apron: check! I have NO idea what we are doing next week. Any suggestions for a newbie sewer and his very, very craft challenged mother??
January 26th, 2007 at 3:50 am
I’m impressed. I took home economics in junior high. I made a lopsided frog-pillow and tried to convince the teacher that it was a congenital defect and that it deserved a B grade and a handicapped parking space. I also made a vest that didn’t fit me - and wouldn’t have fit a toddler, either. I’m not sure how that happened. I got a D for the course. All of that convinces me that I need to have a kid immediately so that s/he can sew things for me.
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Uh, it takes about 10 years for them to become “productive” in a way that doesn’t require your cleaning up after them.
~W
January 26th, 2007 at 10:17 am
Pillowcases! Then later: a duvet cover (cumbersome but easy). And much later: an Xbox cozy!
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Oh, good ideas! I need a new duvet for my playspace. ~W
January 26th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
He reminds me of my mom. Someone she works with introduced her to the world of knitting on Wednesday and she hasn’t put the needles (? is that what they are called?) down since. She is determined to make a scarf for everyone before July. Needless to say, I am determined to find someone that can broaden her knitting “skills”. And I love your strategy for getting a new sewing machine. Genius. Pure genius.
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Just think, if the kid gets good, I could end up with new clothes out my strategy too! Or at least a new duvet! :D And the scarves sound great. Sadly, I don’t knit. The kiddo wants to learn so that might be our next project. ~W
January 26th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
SEW impressive! Ok, bad pun… but really, really impressive!
If for some reason, just by chance, la li la li laaa… you were in the market for a new machine with bells and whistles and you’d like to give an Elna a spin… come on down!
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Oh the temptation! Which store is yours? ~W
January 26th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Clarification: His zeal reminds me of my mom’s. Not her penchant for bad gifts (even though I am terribly excited about my future yellow scarf).
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Ooh, yellow. I’ve been a on a yellow kick lately. As for his gift giving, uh, he might have more in common with your mom than you think
~W
January 26th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Fun! Sage would be in hog heaven if I let him use the sewing machine, but I’m not sure that he should hear all the curses that accompany my interactions with it.
Potholders, tea cozies, throw pillows…a guitar strap…
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Oh, but then I might have to give him a guitar. :D Heh…I know what you mean about the swearing. This machine is a real “joy”. Ack. ~W
January 26th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
The apron is wonderful. ALL clothes need a kangaroo pocket in front! And your boy is awfully darn cute, Wende.
How about yoga mat bags? I was thinking of that the other day- I need a bag to keep my mat clean. You already know I love the plastic bag thing. We have bags rolling all over the screen porch where we keep the litter box and you know Mary has bag issues. How much of an entrepreneur is he? There’s a ready made market out here.
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It appears we have some sewing to do! :D ~W
January 26th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
What a sharp dressed young man! Kudos~ it turned out spectacular! Let him know that I know a young boy in Wyoming who loves to sew also and always wins blue ribbons at the county fair. Good job!
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Thanks! Will do.
~W
January 26th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Go here:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/crafty_tool_belt
If he makes more than one, I’ll buy one.
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Ooh… cool project! Thanks! It was good to see you again. I hope you’ll post photos of your progress soon.
~W
January 28th, 2007 at 9:38 am
I’m impressed on a lot of levels. Most importantly that both of you are still living after working together. Your patience and his determination are to be admired. That you are able to show him these things and have something decent turn out without a pattern - that is very cool. I’m impressed with his color selection and your willingness to let him have fun. The whole thing just came together! My only fear is letting him cook with me - you know that apron will be splattered in no time… is that going to be OK? Will *I* still be living?
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I have two words for you: Oxy Clean. The boy people in my life need to learn how to use it!
~W
January 28th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
I am totally impressed! Awesome job!
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I’ll tell him!
~W
January 30th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Get him to email me a price for one of those plastic bag dispensers and I’ll have to see about getting one! Right now we have all our bags shoved in a big trash bag and it’s getting to be a bit much so if he could whip up one of those do-hickeys ya got there I’ve got a good use for it here *chuckle*
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I sent you an email. (he doesn’t have that yet!) And hopefully this is a sale for him… he’ll be so happy! Thanks, Bug! ~W