Sammie and Anna

Sammie and her award

     I have had the pleasure of teaching Sammie and Anna how to sew.  Sammie started with me when she was 9 years old.  She quickly picked up the basics and moved through the first book of the program by Kids Can Sew.  She then began sewing other things such as a Halloween costume that included a zipper and matching dresses for her cousins.  But it was the stuffed animal that she made that caught her sister Anna's eye.

     Anna wanted to make a puppy for herself.  She started lessons three years after Sammie, at the age of 10.  She also picked up the basics quickly and moved through the first book.  Her first project then was the stuffed puppy.  She chose a curly fur fabric that was difficult to cut and sew but she preserved and made the cutest puppy.

     The girls became involved in making costumes for their school plays and would have to stop taking lessons at the end of the school year because of the time commitment.  They though would often join in a summer camp to continue with their love of sewing.

Anna and Sammie with their sewing bags from a summer camp

     Besides sewing for themselves they were often working on projects for their cousins and aunt.  As they got to high school things got too busy for them to continue taking lessons with me.  However they continue to sew.  

     I heard from their mom that Sammie is winning awards with her sewing.  As a freshman she was invited to a state competition which is highly unusual as usually only upperclassmen compete.   She recently was at Harper College for the FCCLA Competition.  She made a dress and placed first in her category.  She also won Most Outstanding.

Sammie's Dress

     I am so happy for her.  I am proud to have been her early teacher and hopefully instilled a life long love of sewing in her.  

Sammie and her coat

     I hear the girls are still involved in sewing costumes for school plays and making some great friends there also.  I just wanted to share their success with everyone else.  It puts a big smile on my face to know I helped inspire some new sewing enthusiasts.

Check out the lining fabric