This year neither of the girls could figure out what to make because to their minds, they've "made everything." (See previous years.)
The dress G. made last year, with zipper, was a great project to build on her sewing skills. But she wasn't interested in making another dress because she hardly has occasion to wear the one she made last year. She decided to go the more practical route and make a tote bag.
She needed a large bag to carry her riding gear to the horse farm and couldn't find one at the store that fully met her needs. I knew she was capable of a more advance sewing project for the Revue but decided it was more important to encourage her to make a project she actually wanted to make - and could really use.
Grandma gave her some great horse material for Christmas but it was white and she was sure that within one to two visits to the barn, the bag would be a mess.
So she found some durable brown quilted material for the exterior of the bag and used the white horse material for the lining.
It turned out to be a more challenging pattern than she had anticipate with sewing curving lines for the bag handles and matching the lining and pockets correctly. Then there was the added challenge of working with thick material on a standard (and cheap) sewing machine.
But the bag, which is very large, easily fits her size 11 riding boots, helmet, water bottle and other things she takes to the farm every week. And for the most important outcome after doing this project - she LOVES it.
L. on the other hand, decided not to sew this year. She opted to try a crochet project and make a "pig something." After much indecision about what sort of pig thing to make (trust me when I say that she explored *all* options from stuffed "amigurumi" pigs to slippers with pig faces and drove me crazy with her indecision), she finally decided on a scarf.
She crocheted 40 granny squares and sewed them together to make the base of the scarf. Then she tried a couple of different ways to crochet a circle, which was easier said than done for her, and for me (teachers should be able to do the thing they're teaching but it turned out she got things figured out despite my lack of ability). Depending on the pattern, circle stitches have a tendency to curl and not lie flat. But after a lot of practice (it requires an even, consistent stitching hand, something hard for beginner - and lefty - crocheters) she made a flat circle to use for the pig face.
And then she decided it would be fun to make another circle for the back of the scarf. But instead of a face she had a different idea.
A curly pig tale.
This project was quintessential L. and like G., was the perfect project for her this year.
I have no idea what the girls will come up with next year for the Revue but there is one thing I have come to truly appreciate through their years of participation...
They have the skills to make - and customize to their specific interests - anything they want to.
The Fashion Revue was larger than in the past couple of years. I didn't get pictures of all the adorable Clover Buds (the 5-8 year olds who made pillows and scarves) but I caught a few of the great projects the older kids (and a couple of the younger ones) made for the revue this year. The projects were as diverse as the kids who participated. Projects starting from top left - tote bag, party dress, balaclava, skirt, historical costume, linen pants for historical re-enactments, crochet purse, grocery tote bag, pillow, historical costume, pillow, crochet scarf and tote bag.
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