Over the past few times the grand loves spent the night with us, Madelyn and I have been working on a project for her. I always ask her if she wants to sew when she’s here. Sometimes she doesn’t but mostly she does. And she enjoys cutting fabrics with my Crafter’s Edge machine! Since my daughter enjoys crafting, but sewing…well not so much…I encourage Madelyn every time I can. She seems to really enjoy it. I told her yesterday she would have to carry on the tradition when I’m no longer around. She started looking a little pensive so I quickly added I hoped that was a very long time from now!
We started this by letting her choose the dies she wanted to use. She decided to make a block that was 12 x 12 using the large leaf from Beautiful Posies Flower Set 2 and the Scalloped Circles in two sizes for the flower. We backed the fabric with iron on adhesive backing and she cut out the pieces.
The block languished alone in the box for a month or so and two weeks ago when she came I asked her if she’d like to make a purse with that block and she jumped at the idea!! So we cut the front and back to the size she wanted and cut two pieces of lining for it. She did not want it stiff, so we didn’t add any interfacing or batting. She then stitched down the appliques to hold them in place. Since she’s not very experienced with the machine, she allowed me to stitch in the zipper so that she would have no raw edges on the inside. Then she took over the Solaris again and stitched everything together, leaving an opening at the bottom to turn it. Next she clipped the corners and turned everything right side out. Then we stitched the opening closed and that’s as far as we got before her parents came to pick them up.
Friday night they stayed with us again so Saturday we were determined to finish the bag!! I taught her how to make tabs for the D-rings. We then cut the fabric for the strap and I showed her how to make it. She then top stitched the strap on both sides. Since there was a lot of bulk I stitched the tabs on the purse and stitched the straps through the hardware as well. She was one happy camper when we completed it – just before her parents arrived!! I think she did an awesome job, don’t you?
We had such a fun weekend – but then we always do! I love making happy memories with them!
Oh, Madelyn!!!! You did a super duper job on your purse. The block was pretty but you took it over the top and made it useful as a purse. You look like a natural at the sewing machine, so you will do a great job helping your grandma come up with new uses for all of her fabrics! {{Hugs}} I’m so glad the two of you enjoyed a wonderful weekend together! Take care! ~smile~ Roseanne
Awwww! What a sweet way to spend time with your grandgirl! I love her block …and her finished bag, too! It looks like she was very pleased with her accomplishment, and rightly so!! 🙂
How wonderful to help her learn to create using your CE machine and your big sewing machine. I’m sure she learned many techniques that give a nice finish to the project!
Great idea to involve your granddaughter in the design and sewing process too. Plus she got a beautiful purse out of it in the end! I wish I had a granddaughter to share my love of bag making and quilting with. My grandson was very interested in sewing when he was little, but not anymore.