Sewing lessons

Several years ago, I began showing my oldest daughter how to sew. I am by no means a

seamstress or anything near that, but I really enjoy making things. I especially enjoy making

dresses for my daughters.

I tend to take sewing in spurts though. I'll sew for a while and then put it down for a while. I

haven't sewed much lately. Seems school and sports have taken a great deal of our time.

Now that we've completed our school year, I'm planning to set a time each week to work on some

sewing projects.

Last week, I asked her (9 year old daughter) to make a list of 5 things she'd like to make or

complete projects that we've already started. (Yes, we have began things and never finished

them.)

She was very eager to look at her patterns and sewing book she received for Christmas

and make her list.

Today we began working on a doll shirt that we started a few months ago using this pattern:

We worked on sewing the facing to the shirt front and back. I think it looks pretty cute myself.

And she loves it and that makes it worth all the time in the world!

Using a clothesline

Well, don't ever say "never again". After living in North Africa for a few years I promised I'd never use a clothesline again. We hung our clothes out every day on the rooftop of the apartment building. They'd be dry in no time, but still I missed my dryer. Well, here I am 8 years later and I asked my husband to make me a clothesline. I'm trying to cut down the electric bill since times are tough and I thought this might help. He is all about saving money, too. Plus, he's very handy and he had it up very soon. This is my third week using my clothesline (although I still use my dryer occasionally). I hope to see a drop in that next electric bill. What about you? Do any of you use a clothesline? And does it save money? Side note- I'm actually enjoying hanging out the clothes, but don't tell anyone :) shhhhh