I spent three pleasurable hours helping her make this:
Here she is sewing at my new Janome 6600:
She was funny...talking about how the sewing machines weren't this advanced at school...and she loved the automatic thread cutter. Then when I showed her how to use the serger, she was beyond herself because they don't have sergers in their classrooms at all. Okay, I find this hard to believe because there was an industrial serger in my home ec room when I took sewing classes so I can't believe they don't have a home version of a serger in the sewing classes in high school now!
A few stats...
She used a polyester knit print from the collection and this pattern:
It's an OOP Simplicity from my daughter's pattern collection that she generously donated. My niece plans on wearing the top as a vest with a turtleneck or alone when she goes out to party.
One final shot of her in the top...
Oh to be 17 with a skinny body again! *LOL* Anyway, I am working on my second SWAP dress...so more later!!!
She is too cute in her top! You must be too proud of her. We actually didn't have sergers in my HS sewing class either. I wonder what is usual?
ReplyDeleteAnother fashionista in the making. Great lookting top. I am sure this day was a pleasure for both of you!
ReplyDeleteCute top, darling girl and oh do I hear ya about the age-body thing! The only time I lament the passing of my youth is when it comes to clothes. As to not having a serger in the classroom, my sewing teacher friend tells me the kids misuse them and they were always having to take them in for service so they were either taken out of the classroom or used after class in a one-on-one with the teacher.
ReplyDeleteShe looks so pretty and so happy! What a super-fantastic aunt you are.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to spend a few hours. This time with you gave her a head start when she returns to school. Darling girt and darling top.
ReplyDeleteSorry - I meant to type girl. Have been typing all afternoon and this was one of my lesser mistakes. Thank goodness for WORD!
ReplyDeleteLydia
She looks great ion her new top. What a great way to spend a few hours. She will be proud to wear her top.
ReplyDeleteVery cute and she looks so pleased with herself.
ReplyDeleteBravo, Auntie C, for being such a wonderful enabler. She'll silently thank you each time she looks at (never mind wears) this top. And, Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYour niece is pretty cute, and so is the Janome. How do you like it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to spend some time together. She did a GREAT job.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Patti
I'm so glad they still offer home ec! (We didn't have sergers in my school either.) Hopefully, you've planted the seed for another sewist. I wish we had more enablers.
ReplyDeleteGreat top! I wonder if you've created another life long sewist. ;)
ReplyDeleteI too look back on my unappreciated thin body. I didn't know what I had before. As they say... Youth is wasted on youth.
Her smile says it all. She is totally happy with her top!
ReplyDeleteYay! Another sewing fanatic!!! Please tell her she did a wonderful job. I teach at a suburban HS and our "Fashion Design" class does NOT have sergers, either. What's truly sad is that the only garment the girls make is pj bottoms. Ridiculous...
ReplyDeleteWait, you mean there are 17-year-old girls who actually WANT to sew?!!! I am so glad you documented this because I didn't think they existed!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHow fun is that!?! I bet you taught her all sorts of things that will enable her to be more confident.
ReplyDeleteRe: Sergers--Granted, is has be *cough* years ago, but I don't remember a serger in my home ec class, either. In fact, in my college-level fashion design sewing lab, we only have six industrial sergers (two set up for 4-thread, two for 5-thread, and two for knits only). At any given time, only half of them are working because students seem to have a way of mangling them instead of asking for help. We never could use the hemmer because someone broke it. *frustrated look*
You niece's top looks very cute! In our schools here they don't even offer sewing and fashion class any more. My guess is the budget to keep up the sergers is too much.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are helping her with her sewing. I can't wait til my granddaughters are old enough to learn to sew. Hopefully they will want to. Love your blog and your sense of style
ReplyDeleteLooks like you beautiful niece did a great job. OF course, having a great teacher helps, too!
ReplyDeleteCissie
Adorable top on an adorable young lady. :) She is lucky to have you helping her.
ReplyDeleteNice top. The print suits your niece very well! Lucky she that she is learning from one of the best!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful . . . I do believe I see a special sparkle in her eyes because she knows she's made that gorgeous top! What fun to pass along your knowledge and skills to future generations!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to teach your niece to sew! I'm sure it was an afternoon you will both remember. And I'm glad to hear schools still teach sewing. That was my introduction.
ReplyDeleteShe did a wonderful job. She looks really cute.
ReplyDeleteMan oh man, I wish I was YOUR niece!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to share your craft with another generation, and to support your niece in what could become a great hobby for her!
ReplyDeleteAlso, nice to see your Janome. I've been wondering what your new machine would be. I have the same one, so it's nice to know such an experienced sewist made the same choice.
How wonderful to be able to pass your skills on to someone else. I'm sure your niece will remember this for a long time. She looks gorgeous in her new top. I hope we see more of her projects in the future.
ReplyDeleteShe looks so happy! What a fabulous aunt! I bet you had a ton of fun.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you two had a wonderful time! I loved the times I shared sewing with my nieces - many happy memories.
ReplyDeleteAwww how fun is that?! Love it!
ReplyDeleteYour niece did a nice job on the top. Both are cute! I notice books in the background of the photo of her at the sewing machine - are they your sewing book library? I've seen photos of your fabric closet, and where your machine is, but don't recall seeing where you keep your library.
ReplyDeleteYour niece is adorable. It's so nice that she came to you for help; how wonderful that she knew she has such an excellent resource.
ReplyDeleteAs for sergers, I didn't even know what one was until hubby found one about 10 years back and bought it for me because he thought I'd like it. So I never saw one in a home ec classroom either.
Very cute! I have never used a serger. School didn't have one and my mother(who sewed all my clothes) never had one either. What kind do you have and would you recommend it for a beginner serger? I have used my Bernina for 35 years and don't sew knits. It is time. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteHey...I've the same machine, marvellous one, I should do such nice things as u do, 17een abd sewing, my regret, I'm 44 and began few years ago, learning by myself and website kind sewer help (that the reason why I make tutorials, preceasin I'm autodidact of course)
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