The Purl Bee Gathered Skirt + an Ottobre Sleeveless Top

Last weekend we checked out the extended weather forecast and saw we were in for another week of 100+ degree weather.  So we decided to start our homeschooling year early and are officially back at it!

First Day of (Home)school!  Sadly, Iris broke her arm this summer :( which I wrote about here and here.  

Indigo is growing so quickly, I can hardly sew fast enough for her.  Ready-to-wear (store bought) clothes do not fit her well at all because she is so tall and thin.  I'm always altering patterns quite significantly to make them work for her long and lean build - often sewing a size 6 chest size and a size 10 or 11 length.

I know it looks like Indigo is ready to head off to college, but actually she's in third grade this year.  ;)

This top is an Ottobre pattern : #28 in the 3/2014 issue .  I love having Ottobre magazines at home- they're like a treasure trove for the basics.

The only change I made to the pattern was to cut the arm scythe bindings at 1 1/4 inch instead of 1 inch.  I also sewed the bindings to the wrong side of the shirt first, turning them over to the right side for an easier finish.  This is my preferred method.

The skirt is a free pattern/tutorial by the Purl Bee called the Gathered Skirt.  I sewed it in Maureen Cracknell's Folk Plaid.

This summer Jude and Indigo took a pottery class together.  I was absolutely amazed at what they made during these 2 hour weekly sessions.  It was just incredible.

One of the things they made was bowls.  It was their first time at the wheel and the bowls turned out great ... likely with a litle help from the instructor! ;)   Not only are they food safe, but they're also microwave and dishwasher safe, too!

Their very first project was these fish plates.

Jude's is the fearsome barracuda.

They also made these turtles.  The shells come off and they can be used for storing jewelry or other special items.

These two are just the best of friends.

I think one of the things that has surprised me most about homeschooling has been how close it has brought our family.  Initially I worried homeschooling might be a liiiiitle too much togetherness. You know the saying, that familiarity breeds contempt.  I first and foremost wanted to preserve healthy relationships with and between my children.

But I've actually found the opposite to be true.   Rather than breeding contempt,  homeschooling has brought our family closer than ever.  Sure, my kids still have fights and squabbles.  That's part of growing up with siblings.  Every day we work on choosing words and actions that bring life, that build up rather than tear down, that encourage rather than discourage.

And yes, they're children so they need lots of reminders about these things, but with time, patience, and gentleness, I am seeing it taking root.  They deeply love each other, and more than that, they truly enjoy one another's company.  It's a beautiful thing to observe.

Of course, that's not at all to say their closeness is due to homeschooling, more that homeschooling has not hindered or hurt their relationships as I had initially feared.  Regardless of how it comes to be, watching your children become good friends has to be one of the greatest joys of parenting.

{These gorgeous Ethiopian dresses were a gift from Fiona who blogs at A Simply Creative Life.  She purchased them while she was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital city, on a layover.  We are so grateful for the generosity she showed toward us and for this tangible gift which connects us to Tia's amazing and rich birth culture!}