I’ve been refreshing my sewing skills the past couple of months in an effort to create heritage costumes or Norwegian bunads for each of us as well as a few other random projects. I haven’t sewn in many years so I have had a lot of frustrating moments. My mother came over to help me a few weeks ago and we finished my bunad. The vest I created still needs some minor changes – I’ve decided that I don’t like the peplum and will likely remove it as well as add a few tucks for a better fit.

I had picked up a wool skirt and a shirt at the Goodwill in hopes that I could make a few alterations and thereby create a costume for DD that would grow with her. I didn’t get the hem even all the way around and the tucking I did in the back could use a few modifications. However, I am very pleased with how it turned out. The shirt I initially purchased for myself works perfectly for her… and she can use it for years to come.
With all the sewing I have been doing, Sweetie has taken an interest as well. Charlotte Mason advocated the child’s learning handicrafts. In her day, those handicrafts could help to support and enable the child as he or she grew to adulthood.

Four succinct points should be kept in mind when selecting handicrafts and life skills.

1. The end-product should be useful. The children should not “be employed in making futilities such as pea and stick work, paper mats, and the like.”
2. Teach the children “slowly and carefully what they are to do.”
3. Emphasize the habit of best effort. “Slipshod work should not be allowed.”
4. Carefully select handicrafts and life skills to challenge but not frustrate. “The children’s work should be kept well within their compass.”

She hasn’t stuffed it yet – as I didn’t have any Polyfill – so it’s off to the fabric store this afternoon. Her seam lines are pretty good though there are a few places we’ll have to touch up by hand. She plans to enter it in the county fair in August. I don’t imagine there will be many entrants for 6 year olds in sewing.