I bought my own sewing machine when I was about 16 and still living at home. Most of the times I've used it to adjust the length of my curtains (few and easy to count).
Being home with A I talked two other mothers (also beginners of sewing) into making princess dresses for our older daugthers (4-5 years of age).
I mean - how hard can it be?
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Three beginners, three babies and three months later we've finished.
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The dress is best at a distance but N likes it and she now have her own princess dress.