and then I sewed her a dress

This morning Miss Jazzy announced to the breakfast table that she had no dresses. Not a single one. Miss Pepper has a whole cupboard full, Miss Indi has a few special ones, but not her, none.

To be honest, I had thought she was done with dresses. I had thought she was at that age where she would live in her jeans. But no, apparently not.

It might have been the warmer than usual weather. It might have been the new school. It might have even been just to make a middle child point.

But I heard her.

And this afternoon, after we had done most of the chores but before we gathered the girls from school, I pulled out some bits of fabric I thought she might like, and I got to work.

I cut out a dress that I make for Pepper often; Mixy-matchy sleeves and bodice. But I don't think I've ever made a 10 year old a dress, and the entire time I was just guessing. Wider here. Longer there. Bigger all together.

When she came home from school I showed it to her and she said she loved it, but she would try it on later. And then later, she said even later. And later.

Until it was almost dark and it just had to be then.

So she left her role as dress maker in the game she was playing with Pepper and put it on.  She looked in the mirror and turned this way and that. Then she made a funny face and stood there tugging at it.

Finally she declared that she liked the back better than the front and that she just wasn't sure. But she gave me 10 minutes in the forest with my camera, so I was happy.

I'm hoping to make her another, a bit bigger, with less pink and maybe a bit more of an a-line style, some time very soon.

But the sewing, I really, really loved the sewing. And now my mind is racing with summer sewing possibilities…twirly skirts, flowy dresses, crochet details and maybe even something for me…yay!

I love, love, love that creative buzzy feeling. I reckon you probably know the one I mean. It's the best!

What have you been making?
I'd love to know.


Big love
xx

justification.

Because it is killing me that Miss Pepper, my colourful, stripey tights, odd gumboots kid will have to wear a school uniform soon.

Because I have a very full on dead line coming up.

Because I would rather sew than have a clean house. I wish it weren't so.

Because I've never sewn her a size 5 dress before.

Because I was embarrassed when my studio builder asked me how much fabric I actually have.

Because there are 4820 things ahead of 'make a dress' on my to-do list.

Because I can.

Because I know she'll love it.

Because it is a mix of old and new fabrics that have sat around in my stash forever.

Because our 11 o'clock appointment didn't show up and I had some extra time in my day.

Because every five year old girl should have a colourful twirly dress, don't you think?

Because after a weekend spent looking after four 12 year-olds, it was such a treat to do something just for me.

Because listening to The Moth podcasts and cutting and sewing bits of fabric together is one of the best ways I know to spend some time.

Because some times when I wonder how I will fill up my time next year, I think I might sew and I had to be certain I still like to.

Because it's spring time and there is hardly any sewing time.

Just because.

How about you?
Are you a justificator?
Should you be doing something else right now?
When was the last time you said 'stuff it' and did something just for the fun of it?
Do you think I could pull off a mixy-matchy dress too?

I'm off to pick broad beans for dinner.

Later. xx