Accepting the Challenge

"I sometimes wish every girl had access to a sewing machine and training in how to use it. She could then make her own attractive clothing. I suppose this is an unrealistic wish. but I do not hesitate to say that you can be attractive without being immodest. You can be refreshing and buoyant and beautifully in your dress and in your behavior. Your appeal to others will come of your personality, which is the sum of your individual characteristics. Be happy. Wear a smile. Have fun. But draw some rigid parameters, a line in the sand, as it were, beyond which you will not go."

President Gordon B Hinckley, 2004 talk "Stay on the High Road".

As a new Young Women's advisor, I've been reading and researching topics of interest for my girls. ( As you can imagine- it is quite a bit different than working in Scouting or the Nursery!)

I love this quote!

I am a firm believer that your never to old to learn a new skill or develop a new talent.

And while I don't have much experience or success in sewing- I am not afraid of the challenge. (I actually thrive on challenges.) I am excited to find creative ways to SEW SIMPLY. Using just basic sewing skills to make modest alteration to clothes.

I hope you are willing and eager to experiment along with me.

My challenge is to come up with easy projects using hand-me-downs or second-hand clothes.

While I don't get many hand-me-downs, now. I remember as a youth- I lived in hand-me-downs. "Use it up, wear it out, make it due or do without" is a good pioneer motto to live by-

Plus- while we are just experimenting and learning how to sew- it's good to use free/unwanted clothes. It takes the pressure off of having to have a wearable end product.

So before you cut anything... or attempt any of the projects... ask permission first! Don't cut up your mothers wedding dress or your fathers dress shirts. Make sure you have the green light: to go and re-make an outfit before you start.

YOUR CHALLENGE:

1. I would like ideas of projects you would be interested in-- so post or email me your ideas

2. I would LOVE to see your projects if you create something! Email me a picture (with parent permission) and I'll post it. If you blog: I would be happy to link to your blog where you explain how you made your project.

3. If you make one of the projects from our site: email a picture. I would love to see your version!

4. I would love to have "guest" writers - if you would like to write about a topic relating to fashion, modesty, morals, virtue, really any of the Young Women Values... I would be happy to post it.

(email: Laurabethblum(at)yahoo(dot)com)

Let the GAMES/CHALLENGE Begin.................!