Sewing for Christmas

I haven't been quilting but it's the next best thing.  I've been sewing Christmas gifts for all the kids.  I decided to make them all Japanese kimonos.  Fabric Depot in Portland OR had oriental prints on sale 40% off last July.  It gave me the inspiration.  I used the kimono pattern from Folkwear that I've used for years.  I must have made dozens of these since I was in high school.    It was so much fun picking out the fabric for each one; thinking about the person for whom it was being made, what it would look like on them, imagining the reaction when it was received.

I had a list of seven to construct.  In July, that seems do-able.  In November, I'm thinking it's a pretty tall order.  I went to a quilt retreat the first weekend in November, used a long table in the room and one by one, cut them all out.  My back hurt for two days afterward.

I spent some weekends sewing at my best friend's house with her two daughters keeping us company.  She is teaching both of them to sew and even though they are still fairly new at it, they do a might fine job.  Sarah, 10, was very interested in the kimono pattern.

Sarah:  When are you going to make one for me, Emi?
Me:  I don't have a pattern small enough for you.  I'll have to find one.
Sarah:  You can make this one smaller, you can do anything!

Ah, the faith of children.   It's a humbling experience to learn someone thinks that highly of your abilities.  Incidentally, Sarah, being a resourceful girl, went to Google and found me a child's kimono pattern on Folkwear, no less.  Since then, she has dropped several thinly veiled hints that she would really like a kimono.

I'm happy to say I finished the last of the seven original kimonos last night.  They are wrapped and under the tree.  I have Sarah's pattern and fabric she will love.  I'm going to devote today to making her a kimono for Christmas.