Sewing for Kindergarten!

The big day has come and I’ve proudly sent my oldest daughter Arden off into the wilds to become a “school-ager” as the kids at her Preschool refer to the honored pack of kids who make the trek out to ride the bus each morning.  Today I get to share the outfit I made for her to carry her into her scholastic career and to participate in Sewing for Kindergarten hosted by Mie of Sewing Like Mad.

I made Arden a modified Bimaa hoodie dress.  Mods were to shorten the sleeves and add a contrast ribbing cuff, shorten the bodice to empire length, and add on a dirndl skirt.  This is my first hoodie version of the Bimaa, and I love this just as much as the two cowl versions I’ve made.  Bimaa by LouBeeClothing, among other amazing patterns (I’m a bit of a fan!)

The fabrics are both Art Gallery knits – the yellow springs are from Caroline Hulse’s (Sew Caroline) Gleeful line, and the tomahawk stripe is from April Rhodes‘ Arizona line.  I made my first purchase from Hawthorn Threads and I found their site to be easy to navigate and shipping was lightning fast.

Arden chose the fabrics and placement of the fabrics.  Buying from two lines of the same manufacturer, and thus the same substrate worked out really well as they have the same weight and feel.  And I think they look darn good together!  I’ve always been a fan of yellow and navy.

This is my first time sending a child off to Kindergarten.  And the first time sending her off on a school bus.  She hopped on with hardly a glance back and I was left fighting back tears.  Her school is less than a mile from the daycare where she picks up the bus, so for the first couple of days I drove to the school and walked her into her classroom from the bus.

Turns out I should have done the same for the ride back to daycare for the after school program.  The first day she didn’t get off the bus because she thought it was taking her home.  No biggie, the bus driver swung back around once she discovered Arden still on the bus.

Arden is attending a public school within our district, but we took advantage of the option for building of choice and she goes to the school closest to her daycare and not our home.  This really worked out well for us because the bus stops there, she can take advantage of the after school program and we’re already taking Hadley there three days a week for Preschool.

I honestly don’t remember my first day of Kindergarten.  There are glimpses of some of the first few days, like the See Jane Run and shape cards up around the room.  I was already reading when I went to Kindergarten (thanks to Mom and Dr. Seuss’ Old Hat, New Hat).  I also distinctly remember the modeling clay and the transparent colored plastic pieces that would interlock – loved those activity stations!

Gotta get a jumping shot!

We took these photos at Arden’s new school, right outside her classroom.  One thing I’ve been pleased about (and may be the norm with current technology) is the daily e-mails from Arden’s teacher Mrs. Z with updates and reminders.  I guess I should have expected things to be more tech savvy than when I was a kid, but I’m pretty excited about that!

Don’t forget to follow along with the rest of the participants in the series!  I’ve heard about some of them coming up and you’re going to be wowed!  Alida of Alida Makes is also posting today, so pop over there!