Sophie and her Birthday Gift

A couple months before her 9th birthday in June my granddaughter made a nice wish list and placed it on my fridge, just in case I needed some ideas. At the top of the list was American Girl doll clothes. I am aware of how expensive those are, so I let her know that I would probably (definitely!) not be getting those.

But then I thought, "Hey, she could learn to make some!" So for her special day I gave her a pattern and a coupon to go get fabric and have sewing lessons and make clothes for her doll.

Well, she chose great types of fabric for the projects and she cut the first outfit out: a sundress. I had her do every step herself, from pinning to cutting to gathering to making (and picking out mistaken) seams and even hemming. Plus she did handwork, including putting in a snap and sewing down the facing. It turned out pretty cute!

A few weeks later she mentioned casually that her mom had had her enter it in our county fair--I was surprised! "I'm not sure how well it will do, Sophie. They are very strict in their judging."

When I got to the hall to do some of my own pre-fair work I sneaked over to check out how her little dress did and was overwhelmed with happiness when I saw her very first ribbon: blue! A friend said that it was great feedback on her meticulous work and a wonderful way of motivating her to keep doing high quality needlework in the future.  I can't help but agree.

The Wedding Date is Advancing

Preparations for Rhiannon's wedding are coming along swimmingly. I am suddenly sewing bridesmaids dresses and contrasting boleros. Also, cap sleeves for the wedding dress. Not to mention food. I am over the food procurement, preparation, and presentation.

The first dress I made was great, just whoppingly too big for Chelsea, sister of the groom. I went by her measurements, and chose what I thought was the appropriate size. It needed major adjustment, since it's strapless and Chelsea really wants it to stay where it belongs! Taking it in was more difficult than all the rest of the work. But it's just about finished, and looked good, and will be just fine. Then it was on to Cecilie's dress. Now, Cec wouldn't measure herself for me, so I am just winging it on size, remembering how Cec looks and the sizing differential between pattern and actuality. She will be coming over today, and I have finished the top of the dress for her to try. I will not go and farther until it is proved to be the right size.

Sundaylee's dress is another matter altogether. She's the smallest of the bridesmaids, she's out of the area, and will not be able to try this on too much before the big day. I will have to ponder what to do about that one.

This is such an exciting time in family life. All of our children are in the area, and being together is a reminder of how we all came to be who we are.