From start to finish I made something for Sarah today!
Rich took me to a fabric store and I bought everything I needed (except the pattern, which I already had, I ordered it online a few weeks ago).
As you can see by the above photo, I found some really sweet fabric. The first one I used today was the one under the top piece in the picture….a soft pretty flannel. As soon as I got home, I washed and dried everything, the fabric and the bias tape.
I used this new but vintage 1950’s pattern to make a long kimono, I thought it looked so sweet modeled by the baby on the cover.
I had some little distractions, but because Rich is home today he was able to watch Seth for the last hour, so I could finish up my project without worrying that he would pull the iron onto his head or step in pins.
As soon as Grace noticed that I was sewing, she simply had to join me. She is making a little stuffed bear for Sarah, out of the leftover flannel from the kimono.
We enjoyed spending time together, talking now and then. She is so precious to me. She asked me if Sarah could sleep in her room with her. She asked me if I would make clothes for her babies someday. She thought the piece I made today was so pretty, and said she couldn’t wait to see Sarah in it. She’s in the bath now, but when I look over at my pincushion, I can see that she formed a letter “G” on it, out of pins.
We listened to music, and she began to get so sleepy in her chair as she stitched, she was so relaxed.
We lost track of time, really.
Step by step (this was the first sewing pattern I ever did by myself) I completed the directions, without any major mishaps. The only thing I wish I had thought about, was buying thread that matched the bias tape, rather than the flannel. I bought a soft beige color, not even thinking that I would be sewing over dark red for the majority of the project.
See the completed project:
I held it up so Ethan could take a picture. This is me, after sewing all afternoon with my daughter, for my next little daughter. And I’ll tell you what, I’m tired out, and my lower back is hurting something fierce…I need to get a cushion for the chair in front of my machine!
I think my most useful little purchase today was a pincushion for my wrist. So convenient!
*****
Jacob’s reaction: “Oh, now that looks great! It looks…..sellable!”
Ethan’s reaction: “It looks like something real! That you would buy in a store!”
I had to laugh.
Good to be Home 
That is so adorable! Great job hon. I can’t wait to see pics of your wee one in it!
That is just lovely!! You did a fantastic job, and I just smiled as I read about you and Grace spending Mommy-Daughter time together.
it’s so cute! and what a good job you did on it! sewing seems to be a dying art, and one that i am rather fond of, so I love that you and Grace were working on sewing together. I can’t wait to pass this art onto my daughter someday!
Good job! So fun creating things, and things that look good enough to “buy in a store” =)
You did a great job!!
That looks just like the kimonas that my Sweet Mama would make for her babies when I was a little girl. I was her third baby, born the day before her fourth wedding anniversary. After me, she had three more and they were spaced about three years apart so I remember some of those days of preparation. I remember the excitement and how she was almost too busy with working on the farm with Daddy to get the sewing done like she wanted, but she had all her babies at home after a terrible experience with her first one at the hospital so it took a bit of preparation. She had to sew big thick pads to protect the bed during the birth, and laid in supplies that puzzled me then — and sometimes even today, I’m not sure what they were all used for. She would wash up the baby things, and buy some new, soft receiving blankets. There were the kimonas and sack like things that had drawstrings at the bottom. There were little undershirts and socks and cotton diapers. Diapers!!! She would buy stacks of long diapers that she folded into the size that she wanted. Her diapers were the whitest white, and she never made it seem like a chore to empty the huge diaper pail and wash those mountains of white diapers and hang them on the line. She also sewed “belly bands” that they always used around the tummy with an opening for the belly button to stick out through. Mama always said that if the navel wasn’t supported properly, it would herniate. To this day she thinks it just doesn’t seem “right” the way navels are almost ignored. The one thing I would say is that of the six of us, there was not a single belly button problem — not a single “outie” as we called them. My Daddy said it was because our Mama took such good care of the stump until it fell off. She always used Baby Magic lotion on her babies, too. To this day, the smell of Baby Magic brings back a flood of memories, and I was so happy when I found it for our babies, and now, Christina uses it for our grandbaby, although it seems to be increasingly hard to get. Ah, my dear friend! This is an exciting time, such a deliciously, deliriously joyful time. I know it isn’t all fun and games, but this is a time for which you were made — to be a wife and mommy and to birth new life, and to find joy in the preparation of it all. I pray that God will give you a sense of peace and partnership with HIM in these golden days. There is nothing quite like it. Love you!
That is precious!!!
I love it! It looks great Shanda. You are inspiring to sew things for my little one! I went to a baby shower today and the grandma had made this adorable little sleeper…it looked store-bought. Also a cousin made little soft shoes like you did! Even though the shower was an hour away, that girl, I found out, lives near me, so she said she’s teach me how to make the shoes! Can’t wait to find out the gender and start making some things. I’m glad I’ll have all summer to work on some things.
So Sweet great job!
I applaud your efforts. It turned out darling! And, I loved your story about Grace. Boy! I can actually remember when patterns cost 50 cents!!!
“It looks like something real!” haha.. that made me laugh too!! :)the little kimono is precious~
Good job!! She’s going to be the best dressed girl in town!!
that is adorable ! what a great job! lys
That little kimono is adorable. I like the bright red trim. I dressed my boys in some soft kimonos when they were babies, that my mom made for us in the later 1950’s and had saved. She made them in lots of pastel colors, with various trims. They do work well for lots of diaper changes with newborns. Your time with Grace sounds so sweet! I loved hearing about it.
So sweet. We make something similar at our church sewing circle for layette bundles to send to missions. Your girls are/will be blessed with love.
LOVE it! I wish i could sew…maybe someday it will just happen, I mean it just HAS to be in our genes right? My Mom is always sewing,and Robin started making quilts like Grandma. I know it will just hit me someday!
first of all that fabric that you got to choose is fantastic. i drooled a little bit over it. i loved them all, but especially the one on the bottom. so excited to see what kinds of beauty will come from them 😉 good job on making your first kimono and following your first pattern all by yourself. from what i saw on the package it looks very much like the picture..which to me always seems like a good reflection of whether you are doing it right! i’m glad that you and Grace had some good ‘girl time’ together chatting and sewing. such precious moments spent together! i adore your porch…with its beautiful view and the numerous rocking chairs available to sit in. I remember Joanna talking about her trip to visit you and how blessed it was…especially when Seth decided that she was his new best friend and would curl up with her in bed in the mornings (i think that is how the story went). Thank you Shanda for sharing bits and pieces of your life with us…you are truly a blessing.
SOOOOO cool, I LOVE it!!
Very sweet! Your boy’s comments were so….. boy!
It turned out very pretty!!! Good job for doing something out of the ordinary….every little thing adds a touch of sweetness as you wait and prepare for baby Sarah’s arrival into this world!
I love that in the picture of the ironing board little Sarah is making an apperance. 🙂
sweet as can be ~
So sweet! I love that strawberry fabric in the top picture, it looks so yummy. I actually like the beige thread over the red bias tape, it makes a nice contrast and looks deliberate. I love hearing about Grace sewing with you, that’s something I have fond memories of doing with my mother, and hope to be able to share with my girls. Right now the best I can do is hold Joy on my lap while I try to sew around her!I just recently added a seat cushion and back pillow to my sewing chair, and it has made all the difference in the world!
How beautiful! I adore the fabric you bought and the finished product is just precious! I look forward to seeing what you make out of the other fabric. And what a precious girl Grace is. How old is she again? My oldest daughter is 8 and your conversations reminded me of ours. 🙂
Yes the kimono is adorable but want to know what it even more adorable? Your little baby belly in the first picture!! You did splendidly on the sewing project. : )
I love it!!! I want another baby so I can make one! 🙂 I look forward to time spent sewing with my kids. At what age can you trust a boy (or a girl!) with a needle and thread??? 🙂 I love you, Shanda. You are such a blessing and an encouragement. I will be thinking about your sweet family all afternoon!
capital CUTE CUTE CUTE!! Love the outfit!Your sewing story reminds me of the stories you hear back in the days when moms and daughters used to sit around and sew together and my I am sure the conversations that must have taken place so many times! What a neat way to have time to talk with your daughter. Simplicity.
That looks fantastic! I wish I could sew. =(
Very nice job, it’s really cute!
Hi Shanda :-}I looked at the picture of the stacked material and thought, “ohhhh, I like the top one, but I WANT something out of that second one …” So glad you used it first ;-p And I am also glad that you didn’t think to buy thread that would match the bias tape. I like the contrast. And it helps combine the colors in the material with the trim! Good job!!!Your sons are definetly “boys”!! From their comments, to having to play right under where mommie is trying to do ‘girlie stuff’…. yup!May our Lord continue to strenghten you daily!Cheryl B.http://thebzhousethatlovebuilt.blogspot.com
beautiful!
That is SO cute!!! LOVE it!
I bought the same exact pattern last week, I cannot believe you just sewed the exact pattern I was looking at!!!!It turned out so so good, I agree with Gee I can’t wait to see little Sarah in it!!!
What a great job!! 🙂 I am sure your new little one will look adoarable in it! 🙂 I hope you remember to share pictures of her in it on here. :)I can’t wait til my daughter is older and we can share moments like that. She just turned 5 and she has her own little machine. However, right now it is stressful trying to help her and sew at the same time.. :)Hugs,Lanitha
I can’t wait to get my sewing machine out and sew for my TWIN grandbabies!!! You have so motivated me – the kimono is adorable.
You are so talented! and yes, it totally looks “sellable.” :o)
Beautiful!
You did a great job! Love it.
Soooooooooo sweet! Let’s see some photos with her wearing it.
It’s adorable and I bet Sarah will look sweet in it. Sellable – Ha! I love that Grace made a G in the pins. Very sweet.
It is beautiful and absolutely “sellable.” I love it!!
Ahhh, little Sarah will look so cute in her new outfit! It does look sellable !! Your boys are so precious.
You did such a nice job, Shan. Great work! Love Ethan’s comment, and Grace making a “G” with pins in the pin cushion.
It’s darling and Sarah is going to look so precious in it!
Love the outfit! Great job! I love sewing! I’m sure your little Sarah will look lovely in her kimono made by her mama! I enjoy reading your blog. 🙂
It is SO SO PRECIOUS, how Grace chatted with you and asked you about making clothes for her babies some day, as you two sewed together!Yes, YES your kimono looks “real!” LOL My husband read this post and actually commented to me how much he liked the fabrics you selected, especially the tiny floral print (second from the top of the stack)! You are doing a wonderful job, and it is a thrill to see these tiny, adorable clothes turn out. I can hardly wait to see them modeled!