Our local library has many great sewing books. Kiko and I go there once a week since they have a story telling program for little kids. While she is in the program, I wander around the sewing and crafting section and usually end up taking out one or two sewing books.
My recent sewing project for Kiko came from the book, “Heart Warming Life Series: Girls’ Clothes by Fu-Ko basics” by Mayumi Minowa (Japanese title 作ってあげたい、女の子のお洋服）.
I made Bow Tie Dress in size 120. Japanese kids clothing size goes 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120… and they point to the kids’ height in centimeters. Kiko is little over 110cm right now, but I made it in a bigger size so she can get the most wear out of it.
The fabric is cotton with pink dots. I bought the fabric back in 2012 and made curtains for her nursery. It looked cute in the room but it did not cut out the light so later on I bought light shielding curtain which cuts the outside light completely. It comes handy for naps when she used to take one or summer nights when the outside is still bright at 7pm. Since we no longer need the polkadot curtains, I recycled it to make the bow tie dresses.
I love making clothes for her at night and surprise her in the morning. It’s like a mini Christmas. I hang the new clothes in her room while she is asleep and she finds it when she gets up. I was convinced that she would love this dress. It’s 1)dress, 2)pink and 3)bow tie. What more can a girl dream for?
Contrary to my expectation, I did not get a good reaction out of her. She did not like it at all and told me I can give it to her friend! I was furious. I thought about giving it away so she can’t wear it but she kept insisting that I should give away, so I thought maybe I should demand that she wears it even though she does not like it to teach her to appreciate things that she is given. I think she got my point.
If you sew for your children, do you get a reaction “I don’t like this”? When that happens how do you react?
作ってあげたい、女の子のお洋服（美濃羽まゆみ著）からのボウタイドレス。
とっても簡単、シンプルです。
私はカーテン生地をリサイクルして作りました。
かわいいけど、ストーンとしたナチュラル系のドレスのデザインはあまり私好みではなかったかも。。
ウエストがきちんときゅっとしまっているデザインの方が好きです。
２枚作って、１枚は娘のベストフレンドのお誕生日にプレゼントしました。
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Anushka says
The dress is beautiful, and I really sympathise with your plight! I don’t have children but I have two siblings 11 and 16 years younger than me as well as plenty of kids in my family so I have seen this situation several times. It’s so upsetting to have a gift that is so thoughtful and kind rejected! And with such a direct and no-nonsense solution! It’s kind of funny when you think about it! However, though it is hurtful, I think that it’s important that your daughter is allowed to share her opinions about what she wears. Clothing is a big part of how we present ourselves and our identities, and it’s good to learn how to make those choices. Perhaps it would be best to teach her how to deal with a situation when she does not like the gift she is given, how you should thank someone and be polite and appreciate the action, even if you do not want the gift. Then later explain that it’s not quite your style and think of how to give it away (or not; or just try it out later). That way you would not be forced to wear something that you don’t want to, but would not hurt the giver.
Sonja says
Oh no, these are so cute! It’s funny how strong and specific our style preferences are, even as kids! I hope someone wears and loves these little dresses cause they’re adorable!
Chie says
I ended up giving one to Kiko’s BFF and let Kiko keep one so they can match. 🙂