Right, it’s the school holidays, we’ve had our holiday away (got back today - lovely it was too!  ) I’ve decided to get the sewing machine out and have a dabble with it - in the hope that as well as creating something useful (is “useful” a word which shows my age!!???) it will also inspire dd and ds1 to have a go too.

The only thing I’ve ever made is a bag which although could pass for a bag on the outside (yay!) the stitching inside was HORRENDOUS and I have no idea how to line it without messing it up completely!

Anyway, I want to make a few bandana dribble bibs for ds2 and a little romper suit (am I being a tad ambitious here??).  I just thought that at nearly 4mths old he’s not at an age where he’ll be embarrassed wearing my handywork!! (Or not so handy work as the case may be).

So, any very very basic patterns for either of those things? (I mean child friendly basic as anything more advanced will reduce me to tears and tantrums!).

And also anything my nearly 10yr old and 7yr old can have a go at too (bearing in mind both have my limited patience so it has to be something simple that will get results quickly or else they’ll give up!).

???
x x x x

Just want to wish you good luck and enjoy your adventure - I’ve wanted to have a go at making clothes for ages but not felt sufficiently motivated, although I did try making a poncho out of an old fleece blanket once - but even that was to much for me to finish at the time

ok simple projects for your kids:

bunting (2x triangles or rectangeles, sew all sides bar top, inside out, iron, attach to ribbon or bias binding. My nearly 9 yo was making himself some earlier)

bag. 2 rectangles with handles attached.

Skirt. Basically, a rectangle of pretty fabric, hemmed, then turn at the top and put in a wider hem and insert some elastic (use a safety pin to push/pull it through). Then get busy with the rick rack.

My daughter also has enjoyed making a doll, basically you cut a doll shape from skin coloured fabric, sew around it (leave a tiny hole to turn right side out) stuff and then decorate, make clothes etc.

My one good tip re kids and machines is teach them to sew in straight lines by getting them to follow a drawn line on a piece of paper. Oh and the other thing I do when they are starting out, both for hand sewing and machining, is to baste the line I want them to sew over, in a bright thread. Just makes it easier for them. Oh and raise the sewing machine pedal for them, sounds obvious but they need it at a comfortable height. Just get a sturdy box and put it on top.

good luck!

Will post in the am about dribble bibs! There’s a trick to getting them perfect that people forget! x