I am a creative person in many different areas; I was an art major in undergrad, I’m pretty good at interior decorating and I consider myself fashionable dresser.   I want to learn how to knit one day. However,  I do not know how to sew.  I wish that I did; it would be both a huge convenience and a creative outlet.  My grandmother was a great seamstress; she used to make beautiful quilts and clothes for my Barbie dolls.  She tried to teach me how to sew many times, but I could never get the hang of it; all I know how to do is thread a needle and sew on a button (and that takes me at least 1/2 hour).  The only C that I ever got was in my 7th grade Home Ec class.  I had to sew a patchwork pillow and let’s just say that it didn’t go very well.  The seams were ripped out again and again by my sadistic teacher.  Tears were shed.  I really think that she scarred me for life.

So imagine my fear when my daughter brings home a thick packet explaining in great detail a costume that I was supposed to make for a classroom Native American celebration.  Sheer panic gripped me: how could I possibly do this?  I heard through the schoolyard grapevine that buying a costume is frowned upon, so I cancelled my planned trip to the Disney Store for a Pocahontas costume.  No, this was supposed to be a fun activity for my child and I, a bonding experience.  

I put off the task longer than I should, but finally made a trek to Michael’s and Hancock Fabric.  I actually love going to Michael’s and dreaming about all the crafty things that I would do, if in fact I were a crafty person.  But at the fabric store I wonder around aimlessly lost, just lost.  The sales women are not amused that I do not know the proper name for “the stuff that you use with an iron so that you don’t have to sew” (I know now that it is properly called Stitch Witchery).

Back at home, armed with a glue gun, a roll of Stitch Witchery and an iron, I get to work with these materials: some beads, feathers, paint, fabric, fringe and trim.

I lay my daughter on the fabric and cut around her body and make a hole for her head.  Then I iron the sides with the Stitch Witchery, somehow making makeshift arm holes.  I add the fringe and trim with the glue gun.  I am impressed with what I have so far; it really looks like a dress!

So far my daughter hasn’t been involved in this process at all (unless you count being a human pattern), but now she paints Native American symbols on the dress all by herself while I put beads on the fringe.

We hot-glue the feathers on together and this is what the finished dress looks like:

And this is my daughter on the day of the Native American celebration.  She is wearing the breast plate and head dress that she made in class.

Pretty impressive huh?  I’m so proud of myself!  And not a stitch was sewn.  

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