My mom gave Sprite a small electric sewing machine while we were in America. We brought it back to China and found a power converter for it. (The power in China is 220.) She’s enjoyed learning some basic sewing techniques and making things for her dolls. When the upholstery lady was here, she pulled her sewing machine out and sewed alongside her.
Her first finished project was an apron which we began in America and finished here in China. After it was done, she put it on and said, “I need to get in the kitchen and make something wearing my new apron!” There’s nothing like the pride of a completed project.
For her second project, she wanted to make a stuffed animal. Fortunately among some patterns that we found at thrift stores was one with pigs and ducks. A pig it is!
The weather has cooled off significantly, so it was a good time to finally go to the fabric market to buy our supplies. As you can see, it’s no fancy air conditioned Hancock’s or Joann’s. It’s just a few blocks of shops open to the street in a very noisy and crowded part of the city.
Sprite chose a black corduroy with a bright floral pattern from the “table” you see above. We paid 15 RMB per meter. That’s approx $2 per yard. The man used a wooden meter stick to measure the fabric.
She chose stuffing from a huge sack outside another shop. The shop keeper uses a scale to measure it; it costs 10 RMB ($1.50) per pound.
Then we walked over to the notions shops for thread of all colors (only 2 RMB for the ultra big spools). We bought almost one of each color we could find. I believe in stocking up rather than making dozens of trips for every little need.
This “stocking up” mindset is very Western, I think, because I constantly get comments about how much I buy. (That’s going to be another post soon.)
We contemplated zippers and buttons but decided we didn’t need any.
So far Sprite has only cut out the pieces of her pig. Her friends are back from their summer travels but have not yet started school, so they often have time to play. Of course, we are flexible to their schedule, so the pig is on the back burner until her friends have no more free time to spend with her.
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! That market looks FAB! When I lived down south I had some brilliant fabric markets but they are less popular up here in the north of England. (at least I have yet to find much available after 10 years here) I LOVE sewing when I have more time for it. I hope Sprite has loads of fun learning and I can’t wait to see the finished product!
Wish we had markets like that here:) Looks fabulous, and YEAH to Sprite for learning how to sew:)
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Crafty Goodness
I love that Sprite is learning to sew! Such a good skill to learn. Looking at the photos above, I realized how much she has grown…she is a beautiful young lady!
Boy does that fabric market look wonderful.
I love to sew too! I’m glad to see Sprite learning to sew. I’m drooling over that fabric market! I think it’s more fun than JoAnn’s.
Angel in Tx´s last [type] ..I got industrious
My son has expressed an interest in sewing and has done a few items in the past. We have decided to spend an hour or two each Sunday in making a quilt this winter. Everyone needs to learn how to sew, especially since many of the items we covet in daily life are so easily fashioned out of ordinary items or made simply. I personally love totes – easy, versatile, handy! I have a list of my own projects this fall which feature burlap and toile. Please let us know if you need project patterns. I was given a huge cache of patterns by my mother and they certainly include stuffed animal patterns I’ll not get to. (PS: we just returned from the states and relish catching up with your posts)
What a wonderful sewing adventure! Sprite is really starting her sewing young!
My girls all love browsing haberdashery stores and finding lace, buttons, ribbons and materials!
My eldest (15 years) and her dearest friend have been sewing for 3 years or so and have just launched their business! They rent out bridal gowns, bridesmaid and flower girls dresses that they have made or renewed. Sewing has been a wonderful creative hobby! Enjoy!
Your comment that “stocking up is a Western mindset” made me chuckle. We just moved and I’m in the decluttering mode and promising myself that I will never ever buy anything again. Well, not quite that extreme…
Rhonda
Can’t wait to see what Sprite will create!! My daughter took an interest in sewing last year & immediately wanted to make her own clothes!! Anytime I am sewing, she is right there with me. It is a great learning experience, a wonderful skill to have & a dying art.
I think it’s fabulous Sprite is interested!
Wonderful pictures, my 7-year-old was particularly interested and said she wanted to visit China “like Sprite.”
She then reminded me of how I want to sew quilts for this winter, which I’ve never done before, so should be an adventure in itself!
How wonderful that Sprite is working on sewing! I really wish I had started when I was her age too.
And, as always – love hearing more about the ins and outs of life in China!
Angie @ Many Little Blessings´s last [type] ..7 Quick Takes- August 27- 2010 Vol 50
Yay for Sprite! I am taking an online sewing class. It’s interesting and gives me a little accountability to actually get it done and improve my skill set.
While I dislike clutter, I love stockpiling! It’s nice to not really ever run out of toilet paper, cereal, shampoo, and coffee!
MarshaMarshaMarsha´s last [type] ..it has been 2 years
Oh my goodness! This is what I get for commenting from my reader. I was commenting on a totally different blog, but instead, it posted it to your blog. So sorry! Please go ahead and delete that garden one. You know, or don’t – but it doesn’t make sense when talking about the fabric store. LOL
Oh Jimmie, I LOVE going to our fabric market! It’s on the 3rd floor of a big market – first floor is full of dried fruits and sea creatures, so the place has a very unique smell to it (as does all the fabric we bring home!) My husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas a few years back, and I enjoy sewing so much. I probably have 5 or more projects going right now. One thing I have learned is to save buttons, lace, zippers, and other such things from clothes I’m getting rid of. Just recently I decided to use some lace for a shirt from some underwear that didn’t fit! (hope nobody will be able to tell!) Also, you can use clothing (like a large shirt to make a smaller shirt, for example) or other material like towels, bedding, etc. from a closer store if the fabric market is far away. Anyways, just some ideas from up north.
One more thing…one of the reasons that Chinese clothing falls apart is because they use inferior thread that breaks easily. If you can find a mercerised cotton/polyester blend thread, consider yourself blessed. We found it at a little shop here one time, but I think the place is closed now. I want to stock up on good thread next time we’re home (this winter!
)))
Just want to share this site with you, after seeing all your colourful spools.
http://tastykaeru.blogspot.com/2010/09/reel-thing.html
I am amazed at how similar the shops look, except of course for the store keepers
very fun.
amy in peru
amy in peru´s last [type] ..Ah ah ahhh PLUTARCH!! bless you!
My daughter took an interest in sewing a year or so back. She only made a few pillow cases. She likes coming to your blog & reading about Sprite. Her blog is doglver4ever.blogspot.com We’ve been on vacation so she hasn’t seen this post. Maybe this will arouse her to want to do more. I like to sew myself, even though it is a bit of a challenge with me being leagally blind.