Sewing Traditions for Christmas….New Jammies

Sometimes coming up with new gift ideas for Christmas and Chanukah is difficult. Kids grow up, tastes change, styles change. Keeping things fresh is a challenge…but then, there is something to be said for tradition, for doing the same thing, with a little twist, every year.

I recently posted this adorable pajama sewing pattern on Facebook. Simplicity 1785 in Size 2 from the 1950’s.

Someone left this comment....”these always remind me of my mother. She made each of us a pair of new pajamas to go to bed in every Christmas Eve...made it extra special.”

New pajamas for Christmas Eve. A practical gift made into a magical tradition that created fond memories lasting much longer than the pajamas. A fabulous idea.

Happy Sewing! Keep those seams straight!

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns
Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work

Friday Freebies Vintage Christmas Patterns to Crochet

 

 

 

 

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns
Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and metal work

Creating Traditions

Well, the holidays are over and life starts to normalize, at least for me. The decorations get stashed, work gets back on schedule....you know, normal. This year, though, I did something I hadn't done in years. I had a dinner party. We invited friends and family over and celebrated. Everyone brought something, pies, cake, wine and I cooked, then I cooked some more. We even ran out of chairs. So much fun. I even made these cute little coasters to give out as gifts to everyone and they loved them.
The success of the holiday dinner got me thinking I need to make this a tradition. Now I know there are a lot of folks who have family get-togethers every week. When I was growing up we had them for all occasions. If Grandma wasn't cooking we were going out to eat.
Living far from family makes it hard to keep those traditions. You have to fight to keep them. The success of that one dinner inspired me to have another and it was successful, too.
As the older generation dies off, some of us have to push to keep these all important traditions alive. So here it is. Put down the cell phone. Come to the table and eat there, not in front of the TV. In fact, turn off the TV. Nothing on the tube or on the phone is more important than the family. Use your manners. Remember to say "Thank you" and "Wow, dinner's tastes great" and mean it.
Simple things but very important to do. After a while it will be a habit and soon it will be a tradition.
I'm already planning next year's Chanukkah party.

Traditions

During the holidays the traditions we hold dear are evident. Whether the tradition is baking cookies, creating handmade ornaments, or spending Christmas Day at Grandma’s, we remember the importance of the tradition. The cookies don’t have to be perfect, the ornaments might have a little too much glue (or lack stitch or two), and that grumpy uncle might show up at Grandma’s but that’s OK. It’s the jokes, laughs, and love we share that make these traditions special.

After a long period of not holding family get-togethers, this year I held one and it was wonderful. The dinner was perfect, the cranberry sauce jelled (home made), and the company was fun. I’m already planning next year’s Chanukkah party.

Post by Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage

Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns

GoofingOff Artfire Sewing patterns, plus size patterns

Metal Woods N Water unusual stuff and  metal work

Don’t forget the children’s sewing pattern sale in the GoofingOff Shops. Get 40% off children’s sewing patterns. Sale starts at midnight 1/1 through the 15th.

First Day of Autumn

Tomorrow is the first day of autumn and with it comes traditions that I love.

   Apples                                  

 

I love the smell of fresh apples in the fall. Cool, crisp air seems to make the fragrance that much stronger. Apple pie or apple cake is a tradition in my home.

Try a new craft like this Mason Jar Candle Holder from Final Clothes Out.

I don’t can vegetables as much as I used to and have lots of jars. Good idea! Could even do this with some of those jars that can’t be used for canning.

Make a wreath

A new wreath ….maybe like this one for now

and this one for later

 

bhg.com

Make scarves and bow ties for the dogs for Halloween from these fabrics from GoofingOff.etsy.com

   Spring All Over Pumpkins

      Robert Kaufman’s Bad to the Bone

Guess I have my work cut out for me. How about you?

Simplicity J0789 Toddlers' Witch Dracula Costume Pattern Sizes 6 months to 4

Don’t forget the Halloween sewing pattern sale going on NOW in the GoofingOff Etsy and Artfire shops…..40% off all costume patterns but you must use the coupon code HALLOWEEN to get the discount. The patterns are going out the door so if you see one you like it might just be a good idea to grab it while you can.
Also, I still have skulls, bones, and all that weird stuff at MetalWoodsNWater. Think of the awesome Halloween decorating you can do. 

Post by Miss Eileen