Sewing and Homemade Gifts

Two days before Christmas I did not believe I would be able to finish sewing the kids' gifts nor did I want to even try....

I thought, back in October, that it would be great if we could make homemade gifts for our kids this year. WHAT was I THINKING???

I decided to go with a simple flannel pillowcase(see photos here) for each boy (Princess does not have a pillow yet) and a hooded towel for all.  I searched on the internet for just the right hooded towel pattern - I needed one that had lots of pictures and very detailed step-by-step directions.

I am not a seamstress.

(I tried to sew an apron once and it still sits in my sewing box half finished)

I chose not to pay attention in home-ec class when the teacher decided to teach us sewing. 

I also started the campaign that led to the teacher not teaching us to sew.

I regret that.

Well the time had come for me to get sewing and I was determined to finish this project!  After a lot of frustration, ripping out seams, breaking thread and breaking the needle - I made Princess' towel (which destroyed that confidence).

After that I was ready to call it good. The boys had their pillowcases (which by the way were simple and grew my confidence a lot!) and Princess had a towel.

I did not even know how to change the needle and couldn't find the book to my sewing machine. So another quick internet search...turns out that one is really quite painless! 

One small victory! 

After putting in a heavy duty needle, I made myself began work on the next one.  Now these may seem pretty simple to put together but my brain just doesn't compute this stuff the same way as other more talented sewing-people do.  

But then then, the next one came together much quicker and done with 1 day till Christmas.

another small victory! 

Next day was Christmas Eve...I figured I would just wait on the last one and maybe it could be next months birthday present.  A sudden burst of energy hit me at nap time and I busted out the 3rd towel in record time.  Unfortunately you can tell I was in a hurry from my seams....oh well. It was done! 

One BIG Victory! 

Now I still may not be Betsy Ross but something (perhaps my inner Susie-homemaker) came thru and showed me I CAN sew! 

 

We shall see where all this positive sewing energy leads but for now I am just happy that I was able to make something useful, fun and creative that my kids love!

Check out these great links on sewing hooded towels:

I used The Cottage Home 

for Princess

and Homemade Mamas

for the boys. 

*I wanted a bigger hood for the boys so I only cut 2-3 inches off my hand towel instead of cutting it in half. These may be a little too big but I don't mind.

MadCounty Mama