Sew much fun.

So we've been shopping online for wedding attire, decorations and such. Jade is quite frugal and is really not impressed with how much everything costs.

"I think I'll make my dad's outfit," she says. "Will you help me? I've never really sewed much."

Now, I should have clued in to how little her experience was when she referred to the pattern as a stencil, but the real clincher was when she asked what the foot pedal was for when I was setting up the machine.

I know how to sew. But I don't love it. And I'm a lazy sewer. If there's a short-cut I'll take it. I cannot count the number of times I said to her, "This is what you are supposed to do... but this is how I always do it. Do as I say, not as I do."

I made her do some little practice exercises that I can remember learning in school decades ago, and then we jumped into the project. And I have to say I'm quite impressed at how it's turning out. Most first-time projects don't include facings, collars, set-in sleeves, braided trim and vinyl trim. And most people who have never touched a sewing machine before don't begin by tackling the outfit for the father-of-the-bride. But we are not most people.