Sewing with Prue
One of the positive sides of spending extra time in Geraldton waiting for our car to be fixed is that Barb gets to spend some extra time with her niece Prue and her family. Prue had mentioned earlier that she would love to learn how to sew, and had even gone so far as buying an Elna sewing machine. She'd had a go at reading the manual and threading the machine by herself, but was having trouble with it. The thread kept breaking and it was all very frustrating so she'd put it away.
When Barb went over to Prue's place for a visit, they dragged out the sewing machine to see if Barb could get it working. Although Barb's used to sewing on her Janome, the Elna was a fairly basic model and quite easy to use. She showed Prue step by step how to thread the machine, change the bobbin and load thread onto the bobbin. Also how to do all the basic stitches. Prue was pretty excited to master all this. She's a quick learner!
The next day Barb went over again after first visiting Spotlight to get a simple sewing pattern, some material and a pair of decent sewing scissors. (NOT to be used by the kids or Russell ever!).
They went through how to select a pattern, measure the child for size and select the appropriate material. Then they cut out the pattern for a pair of shorts for Kara.
Prue was really good at sewing in straight lines. She learned how to zigzag the edges to finish the garment so the material doesn't fray when washed. She also learned how to iron the seams flat as you go for a better finish. It was a bit tricky to sew with baby Kara wandering around nearby wanting attention and trying to get at things she shouldn't...like the pins. Eventually she went down for a nap and Prue was able to finish off the garment. What an achievement!
Kara looks ever so cute in her new duds. I'm sure when Jade sees them she'll be encouraging her mother to make something for her too.
Barb has a great feeling that her Mum (Prue's Granny) would be very pleased if she were alive. She was a great sewer herself ( as well as an accomplished knitter and used to make all her kids clothes and things for the grandkids too.
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