Sewing With Libby

Over the years I have tried to teach Libby different skills, so that as an adult she would have something to work at, since she has many challenges that keep her from going out into the world on her own. To my disappointment I was having no luck finding anything she would stick at and enjoyed. She might do a little work on a project and then leave it for me to finish or she'd want to do a project but it wound up being me working while she talked to me.

Needless to say I was not all the enthusiastic about making her doll a cloak when she began talking about it. When we were out at Hobby Lobby she went searching for the fabric and trim she wanted for the cloak, while I was busy looking for something else. She picked out her material and I helped her get them cut. She was very excited but I was not.

A day or two later she finally got me to what I thought was going to be "help" her make the cloak. We started out cutting the fabric. I measured and drew the cloak part and she actually cut it out. Then she took the hood pattern she'd had me print off for her and pinned it and cut it out also.

       

O.K. This was more than I thought she'd do. I was surprised when she choose to use black thread. Getting the machine ready for her, I turned the speed down to as slow as it will go. She began to sew each step I told her to do she did. Here she is sewing away with her doll Dazzle.

Well, I was surprised. Next came the hemming. I was for sure she'd stop at this point. It was a 1/4 inch hem which is not easy to iron in place, not to mention it is curved on the bottom and the hood is also curved. Once I showed her how to use the seam gage and to iron in the hem she got right to work.

When the hem was ironed in and pinned she went back to the sewing machine to finish sewing the cloak. It was now complete all except for the sequined trim she wanted to add. Since it was a thick elastic trim, I told her that it would be best for me to sew it on for her. She worked really hard on her dolls new cloak and here is the finished results.

For those of you who know Libby and her dislike of the color red, you may be wondering why she picked red for the cloak. I know I sure was surprised by her choice. Well it seems Dazzle has fire breathing dragon powers and so the red represents fire. I tell you all, I will always try to stay on Dazzle's good side.

A few days after this, I was getting ready to make a friend of hers birthday present. She announced she wanted to make it. Well I knew she'd stuck with the cloak, but I expected her to leave this project after sewing a seam or two. She stuck with the project the whole way through.

 I wish I had gotten a picture of the final project. It was a cloth bag with a large outside pocket, a little button pocket and pencil holder on the left side and a place to hold a drawing pad on the right. It turned out really nice. Maybe Libby is finally showing an interest in sewing. I've tried many times in the past to get her sewing only to have her walk away, but maybe she's ready this time. We shall see.