See, that was the first hurdle. Hannah wanted from the beginning to have her project be sewing a dress, specifically for the renaissance period. The red flag for me was that she just got her sewing machine for her birthday in December. That she is only 13 yrs. old and has never actually sewn anything by a pattern, only just playing around with some scrap material I got for her. The other major problem is that, although I'm pretty crafty, I have never, ever used a sewing machine. Honestly, they kinda freak me out. I need to work on overcoming that fear :)
So.... my persistent daughter was completely convinced she could do this and I signed off on her proposal. I have to confess that I was overwhelmed by the whole project and by the fact that she was going to do this and I really didn't think she could. I thought this was going to be a disaster. Oh, mom of little faith.
We ordered a pattern, and went fabric shopping. I did have to burst her bubble a little because the fancy fabrics she was wanting to use -- to the tune of 14.99/yd. -- were not in the budget. We needed 16 yds. of fabric. Yikes!! Thankfully, we found some nice, fairly easy to work with fabric that she liked that color of that I didn't faint at the price tag. Once all the buying was done, where I could help stopped.I tried to help, and maybe did a little, but usually my "helping" ended in huffing and sighing, frustration on both ends. She was going to have to figure this out on her own.
Not easy for either of us.
I am not above using my blog to brag on my sweet daughter. She worked tirelessly. She (and I) learned how to read a pattern. How to cut the fabric using it. And then one Saturday, my mom came. Bless her sweet heart. They spent the *entire* day -- 10 hours --- working. Mom explaining how to baste, how to put in elastic, helping her rip out seams that were wrong. Hannah sewing, and sewing, and sewing.
She made the white undershirt, which turned out gorgeous. Then the brown underskirt, (8 yards!!!) with waist band... and then the outer part of the dress. She mastered the art of button-hole making. And hemming by hand.
I am completely amazed by this child. What she did and what she learned was and is incredible. To take fabric on the bolt and turn it into this dress. In 40 hours. While balancing everything else in her life. I am so proud of her. So embarrassed by my lack of faith in her. So inspired by her ability to learn something new, to set her heart and mind on it and to achieve it.
By the end, I learn to step back a little and let her go for what she believes she can do. She wasn't afraid to fail. She believed in herself. Exactly what I had been trying to teach her all of her life. Needless to say, Hannah wasn't the only one learning during 40 hour projects.
<<---busy hands...
<<<---this is one of my favorites. 
<<--- Learning from Grandma. Yes, my dining room looked like a Jo-Ann's blew up in it for about 2 weeks.
<<<--- the agony. Yes, honey I know how you feel. 
<<<---putting on the finishing touches at 10:30 the night before turning it in. Oh, so like her mom :)
<<<<--- TA-DA!!!
Friday she gave her presentation to the school, wearing her finished project. She did so well. I'm so proud of my girl. One year down. 5 more to go. Wonder what we'll learn next year?
***I'm not sure why my captions are coded as links --- sorry, just ignore them.***
5 comments:
How wonderful! What a skill she just learned. It looks perfect!
Congratulations, Hannah and Tammy!!! You made it. Hannah, you did a wonderful job with the sewing and I know your presentation was beautiful. Tammy, you are seeing the fruits of your mothering---teaching your children they can do what they put their mind's to. I am very proud of you and Hannah. It was a big undertaking to learn to sew and complete such a project so nicely. We all learn from one another. I too am reminded by Hannah's endeavor and success that we each can do what we dream and believe we can do. "With God, all things are possible." Thank you for sharing the photos, and your heart through this, another learning experience. I loved getting to be a part of it and share the day with Hannah.
I love you all so much.
Mom
Wow!!!! I am so totally impressed!!!! Hannah, you have so much to be proud of, honey. And Tammy, isn't it hard to have confidence and patience sometimes? But you both perservered and I am so proud and happy for both of you!!! Hannah, you look awesome!!!! Love you both. Aunt Linda
Hannah-WOW! You did awesome. I knew you would. I never seem to be amazed by your fearlessness to try new things. Now you have something to wear to the Renaissance Festival. Maybe you will become a costume designer someday. Can't wait to see what you do for your project next year!
That is simply amazing!! I'm impressed beyond words. As I sit here reading it and looking at the pics I am awe.
I'm not sure I could committ myself to do something like that and actually follow through. Way to go Hannah! And Tammy don't be too hard on yourself - but be proud of the awesome daughter you and Matt have raised!!
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