Girls’ Purse and Bible Covers
The girls are getting so good with the sewing machine that I’m able to keep sewing myself and supervise them as they work on their projects. Last night, Naomi started with a purse. She finished up right at 8 pm — bedtime. Both the denim and the yellow floral lining were choices from the scrap bin. The girls love the scrap bin!
Naomi’s purse
This morning, Haniya was ready to sew her purse. And she did. She chose the brown corduroy with a brown floral lining.
Haniya’s purse
The purses are from a pattern from the book, “Stiches & Pins: A Beginning Sewing Book for Girls” by JoAnn Gagnon and Corrie Gagnon. The book was written in 2001 and to be honest, most of the garments in it are not that fashionable and definitely have that homemade quality to them. But the purse and the next project turned out pretty cute and the girls are thrilled.
By this afternoon, after schooling, Naomi was ready to make a Bible cover, also a pattern from the book I mentioned. She picked this paisley denim, which is a piece of fabric passed on by a friend. I love her choice.
Naomi’s Bible cover
Then Haniya made her Bible cover, also from a piece of denim from the same friend. You know who you are… thanks!
Haniya’s Bible cover
I’d say, all in all, a very productive day for the both of them. I’d like to make a Bible cover for myself, but what I’d really like is a brown or black suede. Wouldn’t that be nice? Hmm… I might have some in the scrap bin. 
I am still working on serging the inner seams of those bridesmaid and flower girl dresses. And also rolled hemming the veil and a bit of serging on the wedding dress, too. I’ve done 6 dresses and the veil so far and have 4 dresses left to finish tonight so I can return them all to the bride tomorrow. Time to get dinner on the table now.
Nice work! They have their mom’s talent for sewing, it’s plain to see. At what age did they start using the sewing machines? I’m a little worried about how to get my niece started since she lives far away and I’m not sure her mom can keep her going if I give her the intro lessons.
They started at age 7. We picked that age because that is when my mom taught me to sew. I have fond memories of her taking the time to teach me from that young age. So I knew they could do it then. If you give your niece intro lessons and stock her up with easy projects for in-between visits, I bet she could keep it up. How old is she? My girls haven’t gotten really proficient (like with me hands off) until they were past 8. And they’re not doing really complicated things either — gentle curves, straight stitches, pressing, practicing pinning, lining things up — and I help Naomi on the hardest things. She’s 8. Haniya is almost 10 and is able to do almost her entire projects without me.
P.S. Did you see the articles I referred you to about making t-shirts? I also mentioned that I would send you a copy of my tank pattern if you want it. That post is here.
Love, Wardeh
These are great and blessings to you in your training them up in such a way. My daughter is almost 5 and she is intrigued at what happens with the sewing machine.
I had never thought to make a Bible cover but considering how mine is wearing out, what a neat idea.
I’d be happy to share the directions we followed. It doesn’t make a padded cover, just a simple one. Let me know if you’d like them. Love, Wardeh
They did beautiful work, Wardeh!! How nice that they can do their own projects!! What nice gifts they will be able to make!
I am praying for healing for your from your allergies.
Love
Karen
Thank you for your prayers, Karen! Love, Wardeh
Thanks Wardeh, I didn’t see the articles. The link in your comment above isn’t working for me. Do you think I could do the t-shirt to tank conversion without a coverstitch machine? I could perhaps experiment with the wide twin needle setting on my 180E, that machine has a wide 9mm needle swing to it.
I thought I could help my niece make a few little reversible kerchief/bandanas. I could make the string ties, and have her sew the triangles together, then we could turn, press and topstitch. That would be quick enough to do during a visit, and give her something to be proud of. She could rummage through my quilting stash where I have lots of fat quarters and novelty prints.
Oh, sorry. I see now that it doesn’t. Try this. It should go to the original comments you left with my response.
I think you could use a twin needle. One of the articles should help you with t-shirt construction on a sewing machine. I will send you my pattern if you want it. Email me your snail mail address.
That project sounds great to do with your niece! I have a pattern I made up a couple years ago for making head scarves/kerchiefs. Here it is, in case it might be helpful for you.
Love, Wardeh
I ran across your blog when looking for a tortilla recipe. Thanks, by the way, they where great! I love your blog and will be checking back often!