The Working Nana

The temperature today in the Ozarks was 90 some degrees with a high humidity. While everyone around me was thinking about cooling off and going to the lake, I was organizing my Christmas sewing projects. I love to make flannel P.J.’s for the kids for Christmas. In fact I now am sewing jammies for the kids AND the grandchildren.

Two years ago I had serious cardiac surgery and just didn’t feel like sewing for the holidays.  The kids understood, because they are great kids! But we all missed the tradition. So this year I’m back in sewing form.

If you have never sewed before but want to learn, try finding an adult education class in your community. I will also be doing a vlog in the future as I start sewing. The other thing you can do is get a pattern that is marked “easy to sew”. I love those patterns. They are not too fussy, usually have just a few pieces, and generally have very clear instructions.

This is a wonderful time of year to by patterns. Hancock Fabrics is having a HUGE sale on patterns. I bought McCall’s patterns last week for 99 cents each.  These usually cost $12 to $17, so that is an incredible savings. Hancock will have their Simplicity patterns on sale later this week. This is a great time to stock up!!

I have 6 granddaughters ranging in age from 2 months to 5 years. So the easiest way for me to sew the gowns for the older girls is to find one pattern that I love and then buy 3 different patterns. This allows me to have a pattern for each size. When I cut out a pattern in a size 2 for instance, I mark the front of that pattern with the size. And I keep my patterns from year to year. This year I bought 3 more of the same pattern now that I know that the girls and I love it, so I am set until the oldest one reaches size 10!

My favorite McCall’s pattern for girls is M4646.  I made 3 gowns last year and they were really easy and fit well. The girls were so pretty all twirling their new Christmas jammers.

We are fortunate enough to have 2 great discount fabric stores in Springfield. One keeps a great supply of Christmas flannels on hand year around. This allows me to buy a bit of fabric at a time. We also have Hancock Fabrics and Joann’s Fabrics in town.  Sewing isn’t necessarily less expensive than buying jammies from a discount store, but it is more fun and the kids LOVE them.

I keep a card in my purse with the amount of fabric I need for everyone so if I am out and see a great deal I am ready. Or if I have an extra buck I can grab a couple of yards of flannel. While I buy my fabric year round, I will sew all the girls’ gowns in a couple of days. My husband calls it”Nana’s sweat shop.”  It is so much easier to sew all three at the same time. You only have to learn the pattern once, but get three gowns done. Easy!!

I hope this has inspired you to get your patterns out and plan to sew a memory. It is so much fun and so rewarding. There are no sweeter words than “Thank you Nana.”  Or “Mom, can you make me some new jammies?” You bet I can!