The last few months I have enjoyed sewing with some of my granddaughters that are old enough to get excited about
"Sewing Lessons with Grandma".
For their first project the girls wanted to make quilts for their American Girl Dolls.
Bailey is 10, Anni is 4 and Sydney is 7.
This is the perfect time to get those little fingers stitching and they were so excited about it.
They each got to design their own quilt, so they picked out some charm squares they
liked and layed them out.
In our first lesson we learned about the 1/4" seam. We talked about the machine and threading the needle and sewing little fingers and important things like that, but then they practiced on the machines and
stitched several lines of 1/4" seams.
That day, the girls got their squares sewn together.
Anni had to have quite a bit of help, but she wasn't going to be left out.
Bailey used my Bernina I got when I was 17. It still runs great. Seeing her
sit there and sew was like seeing myself all those years ago and reminded me of
how much I loved the many hours I sat at that machine.
To see the girls so interested and having so much fun
made my heart swell 10 times as we
spent the afternoon sewing together.
You know one of those days you
hope will come,
and there it is.
Our next sewing lesson was at the cabin, this is me helping Anni put her quilt together.
I love this little picture of her hands. So sweet.
I taught my girls to sew when they were young, but we can't seem to find any pictures of us, so I am making sure my granddaughters have evidence.
They picked it up so fast and wanted to sew and sew. Sydney didn't want to stop for dinner.
They caught the quilting bug!
Bailey said "This is the most fun I've ever had at the cabin".
Their older brother, Britton, who is 12, got right in the middle too, stitching some squares together. I love this picture because they are all so busy working.
Bailey making her "quilt sandwich".
And one very important part of Sewing Lessons is to have treats, and there were plenty. You can't see it, but there are bowls of chocolate on the table.
Chocolate is a must in my "Sewing Lessons"
Over Christmas break we had another sewing day with the girls and this time little Livvy got be there and help. She is 4 too. We made sleeping bags and pillows for their little dolls.
It has been such a sweet experience for me and hope they will remember it too!
Yesterday I got the nicest letter from Bailey's, teacher and just had to share. She wrote the sweetest note about how much she enjoyed Bailey in her class and loves to talk about sewing with her. She said some of the other girls have started bringing their projects to show so they can be part of the "sewing circle". Her teacher gave them an assignment to write about "The things that they think are amazing", and Bailey wrote this paper. She said I could share it.
I am so proud of her, my daughters, all of my grandchildren and my daughters-in-law, that have taken this passion I have and embraced it just as me and my mother did. It has been such a blessing in all of our lives and it makes me one happy Grandma to see it continue.
This
is priceless to me and I have loved every minute of our time
sewing together and to see their excitement and satisfaction in their
projects. We have made American Girl doll quilts, pillows, clothes,
bags, doll sleeping bags and are going to make some clothes for each of
the girls for our next project.
As a New Year begins and we reflect on the past year, I could be very discouraged as it was a pretty tough one for me and I have to go in for another treatment this afternoon, but that's not what I choose to focus on. There are so many things on my list of "What I think is amazing" in my life and since Bailey wrote this paper it has inspired me to look deeper. This is just one of the things and there are so many others, but that will have to be a post for another day.
As for now, I am enjoying every minute I have and feel so blessed!
Yesterday I was cutting fat quarter bundles to add to the shop
and thinking about what project I wanted to make next.
It didn't take me long to decide to make this Mini Swoon pattern by
my daughter Camille.
Yes, she is pretty talented! So proud of
her.
Hmmm... What fabric should I choose?
I hope all of you that are just beginning to sew, or are long time quilters, take some time today to think about "What do you think is amazing" in your life.
I am pretty sure sewing will be on all of our lists.
Happy Stitching and Happy New Year,
May it bring peace and happiness, health and kindness,
and time to sew with someone you love.
Bonnie
You are sweet! And very insightful. I had 1 sewing lesson with my 8 yr old grandson. He made a pillow and now considers himself an expert! So much fun...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. xx
ReplyDeleteHello Bonnie, I think you are amazing! Coping with your illness and not for o ne minute letting it get you down! Love this Post so much! What a Keepsake for you and for the grandchildren too! BLESSED NEW YEAR ♥
ReplyDeletemsstitcher1948@yahoo.com
Love this! How very special and such a fun hobby to share with your family!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post! I loved everything. I'm hoping my granddaughters will sew with me one day, too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh how precious. My daughter is nine and just hand sewed her first zip without any guidance. I am flabbergasted. It was perfect. I'm so glad you have photos as this time together will be precious for you now and more so for them in time. All the best for your treatment.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post....I had a rough year too but you reminded me to count my blessings. Thank you for sharing and best wishes for your treatment and the new year!! xx's
ReplyDeleteThis is just precious! Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteVery, very sweet! Sewing with my girls is precious (and patience testing!) and I am happy to pass on what I know. Your grand daughters are blessed!
ReplyDeleteYour granddaughter's paper is very sweet! It is really amazing that all the females in your family like to sew! Both of my daughters are sewing. The oldest one didn't take to it until she was pregnant with her 2nd baby and she was bored and I sat down with her and taught her how to make a baby quilt. She now has a ladies' line in a store in our hometown and has a children's line she sells also. Because of sewing, she is able to stay home with her two boys
ReplyDeletePam near Nashville, TN
Love that Suze!
ReplyDeleteYou sure are a good grandma. Memories in the making.
ReplyDeleteReading about your granddaughters' sewing lessons made me smile!! I'm the mom with a 2 year old little girl who imitates mommy (she also has 2 grandmas who sew as well) - I hope someday to have that sewing time with her!!! :)
ReplyDeletecherish it!! :) Hope the treatment went okay today!
Love this post!! Sewing is amazing- it has giving me so much joy. I am a mother of three little boys and I love sewing for them. And maybe one day they will sew with me, but if not I hope for granddaughter who may learn to love to sew.
ReplyDeleteIt was so loving reading this post and to see your grand daughters carrying on your sewing tradition. Looking forward to seeing your Mini Swoon it is on my to do list. Best wishes for your treatment. Enjoy your next sewing lesson.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. All the best for your treatments and the year ahead.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely encouraging post Bonnie. And what memories you are building for yourself and your grandchildren. I love sewing too and my daughter and now my granddaughter share my passion. Best wishes for the treatment you are undergoing, I hope this year sees a restoration of good health for you. God bless.
ReplyDeleteAww this made me cry (in a good way) I'm a young mum who loves to craft and I have 1 daughter who I can't wait to be old enough to get the crafting bug. A beautiful story and photos to be treasured!! Good luck with your treatments
ReplyDeleteI love that you sew with your granddaughters! I learned how to sew from my mother and it is a gift that she gave me that I will always cherish! I have awhile before I have grandchildren but hopefully I will enjoy this time with my grandchildren as you do. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious thing, to spend time with grandchildren teaching them and watching them learn to enjoy something YOU love. I have an 8-year-old grandson who wanted to learn to sew last summer. He didn't care about fabric, just wanted to use the machine. So together we made his mom a potholder and a doll quilt for his little sister. He caught on so quickly and had so much fun and there was never any mention of "boys don't sew". In fact, he said, "Mimi, I think I could be a tailor when I grow up, if I decide to not be a farmer."
ReplyDeleteI've been a follower of yours for many years. I made all of your long legged doll patterns back in the day. That goes back a while doesn't it? Fast forward many years when I caught the quilting bug I was delighted to find your blog and recognized the name right away. I'm a displaced Idaho girl and felt a connection to you from the beginning. I love this post. Made me realize I have many amazing things in my life and it's good to be mindful of that. I also want to put together a grandma's sewing camp. It looks like such fun. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and talents. Blessings to you and your sweet family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your amazing Christmas break with your grandchildren. How fun for all. What terrific memories of learning together, trying new things, encouraging one another, and finding joy in developing talents. The school paper on "what you find amazing" is delightful.
ReplyDeleteI find amazing our ability to love and extend our most vulnerable selves into another's heart and we both end up stronger, happier, more amazed because we take a risk to share. Share feelings, talents, joys, challenges, and hope. All because something intangible like love can create a most tangible change: a smile, a giggle, a tear, a quilt.
God bless you in 2014.
I don't even know you, just from your blog, but your pictures and commentary about your granddaughters made my heart jump and almost brought me to tears. As a grandmother myself, I got it. Seeing the little one's hands like they were on her fabric, just really tugged at my heart. Is there nothing sweeter than a grandchild? I only have 4 grandsons and doubt any of them will ever want to sew, but the love you have for your girls, is the same I have for my boys. There is nothing sweeter. Thank you for sharing these pictures!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you are doing this with your grandchildren! What a precious time for you and them to spend together. AND they get something tangible to remember it by too!
ReplyDeleteI bought our youngest son his own sewing machine last year because he is always asking to sew ( he's 6!). Our oldest son sewed pillowcases to donate to a shelter (he's 16). I love that they know their way around a sewing machine...in my opinion it makes them well-rounded individuals :)
Bonnie, I loved this post. I have a daughter who is caught the quilt bug. especially because she loves your fabric. I have a saying on the wall of my craft room that say's basically in 100 years it won't matter what kind of house I lived in or what kind of car I drove etc.. but the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child. This is what you are doing. Bless you. Hope your treatment went well.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I really enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post. I have a 6 yr old Grand and she is wanting to learn to sew. You have inspired me!
ReplyDeleteThis is the nicest post Bonnie. It is lovely that you are able to pass on skills and knowledge with your grandchildren but also create family traditions and history. As a self taught sewer I envy the ties that bind your family through a shared love of sewing. I continue to pray for you as you continue your treatment, God bless.
ReplyDeleteI have taught both my granddaughters how to quilt. My 10 yr. old made a quilt for her bed! It is beautiful with just a little help from grandma. My grandson made a simple illow from charm squares and my other girl has made doll quilts. Wait till they want to make doll clothes for their American Girls. I am grateful I could spend time with each one.
ReplyDeleteI started to do this with my two granddaughters. They started at 3 and 5 and have each made 3 quilts. Started out small and each one has grown in size. The oldest one hasn't wanted to do it as much as the younger one. The youngest one turned 8 last Sept and she wanted her own sewing machine. So, of course Grams just had to get it for her!! Now Sunday afternoons, she comes over and we have sewing lessons. She has done several pillow cases and now we are making pajama pants. It is "our" special time together and I love every minute of it. I learned with my grandmother and still have the first apron I made with her - almost 47 years ago!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I think you and I are kindred spirits with our love of sewing, and adoration of our grandbabies. It thrills me to see them interested in something that will bring them so much joy. I am so glad you are doing well. Johnny got a good report yesterday, his CT scan was clear, no cancer!! What beautiful words. He will have the scans every 3 mos. for a while. I would have to say that getting through this past year, with the loss of my son, and the recurrence of cancer in my husband was one of the hardest, heartbreaking years of my life. I know God has been by my side every moment, I could not have faced it otherwise. It is amazing that we are given this grace to face those things that we never imagined we could. I thank God for that every day. I pray that you will have a wonderful year, free of illness, and regaining your strength to face each day renewed. my love
ReplyDeletediannemitzel1@hotmail.com
Bonnie, what a wonderful post. I too have such special memories of sewing as a child. My best friend's mom taught me to sew all manner of things. This special lady had a group of neighborhood girls over every Monday afternoon for Sewing Club. We learned cross stitch, embroidery, quilting and garment sewing. We sewed for ourselves, we sewed for charity projects, we sewed gifts for our moms who were still having babies. How I loved Monday afternoons! Sewing Club was a part of my life from the time I was 8 years old through my early teenage years. And of course I have continued to sew all the years since then. I can't imagine who I would be without sewing in my life. My first granddaughter was born a few months ago and I hope I can share my love of sewing with her as you have done with your granddaughters. Thanks for the walk down memory lane and blessings to you in 2014. I'm praying it is a year of restoration for you.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post Bonnie. The photos are fantastic. I remember clearly my Mum and Grandma teaching me to sew in the 80s, but we have no photos of it either. Now I have taught my 10 year old daughter and 7 year old son to sew and rest assured there are plenty of photos. My only regret is they want to use the sewing machine when I'm on it!
ReplyDeletewhat wonderful memories you'll all have of this time together. i'll never forget my grandma teaching me how to make a biscuit quilt in the 80's (remember those?). it was the only craft project i ever did with my grandma, but oh how i remember it in all of its sea-foam green and peach colored glory. best of luck with your continued treatments. prayers for you and your darling family. here's to a year of good news for you.
ReplyDeleteAww so fun. I can't wait for my littles to sew with me. This really is priceless. Glad you are able to enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteI have no photos either of learning to sew from my Mom and grandma. I love this post Bonnie. My granddaughter just turned 5 and I am hoping to start teaching her soon. And many prayers and good thoughts to you in your treatments. I am 13 mo into remission but so lucky to have not needed chemo. Hugs and many happy times sewing!
ReplyDelete