'Couldn't you have sewn something for less'? was a family comment.
I possibly could have, but when? It is not their turn yet and won't be, for at least a month.
Swimwear fabric can be hard to source and the good stuff is definitely expensive.
I would have to alter a pattern, not a problem as such but definitely not quick.
They are a 'brand', it was a 'surf shop' perhaps they were 'paying for the label' but do you know what? A majority of the pieces were sewn in Australia so I have hope the machinist received a proper wage for their craft.
Besides, part of working is enjoying the fruits of your labour. The labour being cleaning our house once a week. The fruit being cash.
Do you know what you cannot put a price on? Their utter utter delight in trying on dozens of bathers and my delight in them wanting me there to share it with them.
Jed made a special trip so they could do this and he played with Trixie so I could focus on just them.
After the Surf Shop, we hit the Mall and both girls tried on outfit after outfit but didn't buy a thing.
Major buzz for Mummy.
Zara fell in love with a natty little outfit, shorts and a top but neither piece fitted that well. The XS was too big in the top and the M shorts were too tight around her derriere but too loose at the waist.
And it was $230 for both pieces.
Jed offered to take her on to Mt Barker, to Spotlight, to look for some similar fabric.
Sorted.
Roll forward a month.
Zara is not so sure she will get this made for her next turn, she thinks she has other things she needs more and she is not sure where she will wear it, so this fabric may sit in 'her' basket for a later sew.
And do you now what? For $20 it doesn't matter.
For a $230 purchase it would have mattered a great deal!
Jed and I would not have stopped her buying that outfit, we didn't stop her, just advised her to have a good look at the fit and have a good think about where she would actually wear it.
But she got the thrill of planning and making a small purchase.
I refuse to have guilt over buying fabric, I tend not to impulse buy but if I do, I am going to comfort my self that it is much less then an outfit.
Have a lovely day!
xx N
Excellent experience! And nice to know there is swimwear made in Australia!!
ReplyDeleteIt was such fun Jane. Jed taking Trixie off meant I could focus on my girls and not worry she was destroying someone's shop.
DeleteThe swimwear is very good quality, boned and underlined and several of the pieces has Made in Australia labels. They are washing really well too.
At the end of the day, they earn the money, they should be able to spend it as they see fit.
Thank you for commenting.
xx N
Those are very (!!) valuable lessons to learn - I only wish I had learnt them a bit quicker!
ReplyDeleteThank you Aynsley, me too!
DeleteThe Twins are very into 'Capsule Wardrobes' and they are quite firm with each other when shopping.
It was lovely to hear from you!
xx N
You have raised some sensible girls who really value their mum's hard work and talent. I hope to do as well with mine!
ReplyDeleteAww Masha, what a lovely lovely thing to say, thank you so much!
DeleteI am very lucky with my girls and Jed is very respectful of my sewing. If people make comments about my sewing 'hobby' he always corrects them and says it is my 'job'.
Love him!
Thank you so much.
xx N
Sounds like it was a valuable trip, fun and educational at the same time. I do love that pattern though - Cynthia Rowley patterns are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tamara, Cynthia Rowley make a lovely pattern.
Deletexx N
I love this post. :) You got to enjoy time with your girls and they clearly value your input. Zara made her own decision in the end and whether it gets made or not .... it's priceless to see her maturity in the situation :D Yay for mom sewing!
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy them Kristin, so very much. Although they are identical twins they have such different style, it is so much fun exploring that with them.
DeletePart of me wanted to push her to have the outfit made but I resisted and I am glad I did. So what if it sits there? Liddy may use it, it may be a costume.... that $2o purchase gave us both a lot of pleasure.
You are right, a big Yay for mom sewing.
xxx N
I love this post! I don't have guilt over buying bits of fabric either and I don't have guilt over buying good well made things I know I'll wear and love either, and we have had similar discussions about swimwear here too! I really need to get a little bit more organised like you and take turns at sewing for everyone in turn and getting them all to think about what they really want and need.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kate.
DeleteThe rota works really well for me. It keeps me on track (or Trixie would have far more clothes then she needs) and it makes us all think about what we need, rather then want, which can only be a good thing.
I don't find swimwear easy to sew and the ones the Twins bought are just beautiful with special lace and metal detail. Just lovely!
I was so happy to see they were ethically sewn too.
As for fabric guilt, I don't smoke or over drink or buy collectibles. My fabric is my hobby and that makes it a pretty useful one.
Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment.
xx N
You are a very good mum.
ReplyDeleteThat means an awful lot, coming from you Deb.
Deletexx N
I like this post. I think along the same lines, but I would like to be as good as you at making the clothes!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann.
ReplyDeleteThe sewing is just practice. My sewing improved so much when I discovered the O+S patterns. I don't use them as much now but I value the skills I leant.
Thank you for the lovely compliment.
xx N
Well said, Nicole!
ReplyDeleteThank you Catherine.
Deletexx N
A really lovely post - getting children to think about where stuff (not only clothing) comes from and putting together the work/money/time it takes are valuable lessons. Being with your children is worth the money they spent on their togs and fabric. My son get cross at me if there is something he thinks I ought to have taught him earlier - like how to put deodorant on properly, how to iron a shirt - just basic things. I love he has the expectation that I should teach him these time consuming but basic things. I love reading your blog and wonder at your amazing productivity.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for your thoughtful comment!
ReplyDeleteI had such a nice day with the Twins, I spend a lot of time with my children but it rare to get one on one moments (or one on two).
xx N
This is priceless Nicole. In so many ways. Fashion conscious, consumer consciousness, relationships, life... Probably seemingly incidental in your lives together but lifelong learning nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteThank you Renae.
ReplyDeleteI 'write' so many posts in my head but never get them down. It felt good to share this one.
xx N