Monday 17 November 2008

Sew hard



I think I've achieved the unachievable this weekend, I made a teenager happy! So happy in fact that I was left in an alternating state of euphoria and amazement. I always know when Big sister's going out that there will be the usual lament of lack of clothes to wear. I wish I had her lack of clothes. If all her clothes ever got to the wardrobe instead of the back of the chair you would not be able to close the door on them she has so many. Strangely though whenever it's time to go out she always has "nothing to wear". So I had been waiting for this to happen in the run up to Saturday. Big Sister being a sensitive soul realised that now was not a good time to ask for some money for clothes shopping, she being the one with the most disposable income at present in the Ragged Roses household.




I have long admired her long range ability to zoom in on any food that has been brought into the house, As I walk through the door after a visit to the supermarket she is down the stairs like a shot, It seems that now she is showing the same magpie-ish talent for fabric. After a week full of compliments on the tartan taffeta I was using to make some Christmas goodies, I realised that something was afoot ... Could I, would I pleeeeeeeese make her a tulip shaped tartan skirt and a t shirt with a black crow on it for Saturday night. Also as she wouldn't be around much until Saturday, would I mind spending all of Saturday doing it? Now, I am not a dressmaker, I do not own any patterns and as I've said before have resorted to staples and glue guns for fancy dress costumes and school plays. Fortunately the stars were shining on me and I got it right!
The skirt fitted just right at the nipped in high waist, billowed at the hips and ended a couple of inches above the knees (don't ask me how I managed it). The crow on the t shirt was just the right crow, just the right size and just the right colour (and, no I'm still none the wiser about the crow! The fuzziness of the photo below shows, I'd like to think, Big Sister's reluctance to stand still and her impatience to get back to her GCSE revision - haha)



Watching Strictly Come Dancing that evening with Little Sister and wowing at all the high scores I wondered if I perhaps might even have got a 9 or 10, not for my saucy salsa or raunchy rumba (let's keep my mum dancing out of this) - not even for my poor dressmaking skills, but for that rare and quite elusive thing - a moment of complete understanding between mother and teenage daughter. Please excuse my five minutes of glory ...

40 comments:

Selfsewn said...

Wow gorgeous skirt!!
You are really talented.

Clare x

A Thrifty Mrs said...

What a gorgeous skirt!

MelMel said...

How cool is that skirt!
I love it!

Cool crow top too!
xxx

Fancy Elastic said...

Great outfit, and a miracle that you got it right... teenagers are very particular. You are very much entitled to bask in the glory!

you can just hear it now 'your mum is so cool'!

Hooray! x

April said...

wow - well done you!

April xx

Anonymous said...

I am totally impressed!

Poppy said...

You deserve your glory! having a teenage son, who is also meant to be revising, ha,ha, I fully under stand.

the skirt is gorgeous!!! xx

Willow said...

You are truly honoured indeed, to have made a teenager happy!! :o)
What a fantastic outfit, and just what she wanted! (Better hide your stash of fabric, before she gets her hands on the sewing machine!!)
Willow x

Garden Girl said...

wow Kim, how impressive! Big Sisters friends will be voting you the coolest mum for sure...it really is fabulous! and even I know that tartan is high fashion right now...don't think I'll be digging my kilt out just yet though..xxx

Ali said...

Genius! And many good mother brownie points to you.

I am also intrigued by your reading matter - tell us more!

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

Well done! What a stunning outfit! =)

beachy

Tracy said...

LOVE that skirt...and the pearls with it--sooo perfect...*SIGH*...What a smart-looking young lady. Happy Days to you all ((HUGS))

aromatic said...

I will give you a 10 out of 10 for been so clever and making such a lovely outfit.
I will also give you 10 out of 10 for been a really lovely Mum!!
Love Jane xxx

A time to dance said...

You can't possibly say you have no sewing skills, that there outfit is fab a dab a do ..... Hope my Poll's doesnt get any ideas....I am having enough problems with Pete's jumper .... Re strictly...Hurray...the love of my life - John got through again...but I think there is going to be trouble at mill... Cherie should have stayed and the leggy horse rider voted off...although one doesn't want to be too controvercial!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa said...

Clever you!
Well done for being so spot on.
I love the crow motif.
Hope Big Sister enjoyed her evening out.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today and leaving such a sweet message.
Lisa xx

Amanda and Tim said...

Oh wow - Big Sister (and Little Sister too) has such a talented and wonderful mum - way to go you!! Bask in the glory for as long as you like - you deserved it!

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

Ahhh, wonderful, that moment of connection between mother and child! Congratulations indeed! What a sharp outfit - you deserve to bask!

Anonymous said...

they look great - give yourself a well deserved pat on the back
lisa x

A Bun Can Dance said...

What a great outfit and so well made too!! You really are a dressmaker! The skirt is fab - I love the fabric. Good for you for pulling out the talent and making Big Sis very happy indeed - revel in the glory, that's what I say. Have a good week. Denise.

Thimbleanna said...

WooHoo for you! That certainly deserves more than 5 minutes of glory. Great job on the sewing but even better on connecting with a teen!

We watched Strictly Come Dancing while there and were surprised to find out how much like our Dancing with the Stars it is -- even the host is the same guy. Does he fly back and forth between the states and the UK every week???

Heart in the country said...

Hi

I've given you an award. If you would like to accept it please drop in to my blog to collect.

Kx

Niki Fretwell said...

Woohoo! Bask in that glory Kim!
Niki x

meggie said...

Well done! Nothing quite like a happy teenager!

French Knots said...

As Craig would say - fab-u-lous!!
Now you've started something and you'll need to come up with new things every week :)

This Vintage Life... said...

Incredible...and with NO pattern! I think you should be rightly proud; a new career perhaps?! Deb x

jessica daisy said...

Love the skirt, and a happy teenager to boot! Bathe in the glory while it lasts.
Looking forward to receiving the cute little lamb cushion, it's going my daughter's room, but I'm buying it for me really!
Jessx

Emma Herian said...

Oh my goodness Kim! Er and you said you didn't sew very well?

Shall I hang up the needles and hand over my little empire to ye!

I think you deserve to wallow (is that how you spell it!!??) in all the glory plus many heaps more! Tell C that she is a lucky lucky girl, I am sure E will like the outfit too!
Emx

Country Bliss said...

My 15 year old is so jealous and is drooling over the skirt, begging me to make her one!
Well done for making a teenager happy, it's a rare occurance!
Yvonne x

Cassie said...

You are such a dedicated mom, and the skirt looks great! I hope she had fun wearing your creation. Have a wonderful week.

Heidi said...

And you say you don't sew??? It looks beautiful and I am sure Big Sister must be so pleased. Bask away!

Hugs ~
Heidi

Elizabethd said...

I did laugh, remembering my daughter as a teen! Well done with the skirt.

Indigo Blue said...

I've got that book too. It makes a fantastic read. Many of the points we could use now and I think it shows us the ultimate way to recyle, make do and mend.
xx

moss stitch said...

Fab-u-lous skirt. They should sign you up to make 'strictly' dresses! A very talented mum indeed.
M
xx

dottycookie said...

That is fabulous!

Oh, and Margery Cooper must have lived near where I grew up - yes, I'm originally a Croydon girl ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's great, no wonder she's pleased!
Your bit about teenagers' clothes reminds me of my friend when we were in our teens. Her dad said that if we saw a shed appear on the common in front of their house it was just for Sheila's clothes!
Margaret and Noreen

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

So sweet! You should be so very proud of yourself - especially since working with plaids is a test of patience!!

happy day to you,
Becky

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

gorgeous...here to more moments of glory...

Poppy said...

You have been tagged don't worry if you have not got time,or you don't like doing them.xxx

Selfsewn said...

Hello you have been awarded!!
Clare

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

I am rolling in last as usual.. sorry M.. head in the clouds this week.. (all weeks)
I would have to give you a score of 11 out of 10 for your fine craftmenship and the ability to just 'knock up' something so stylish at the last minute with good humour and great panache..
And.. oh to have a figure like young Ms Roses..!!!

Love from Dx