One of my deepest regrets was not learning how to sew when I was younger. When I think of all the awesome creations I could have made, the money I could have saved, and the fun I could have had, I get a little down. :/
But lately, I’ve been reading this book:

…and thinking about this quote:
For some reason, this speaks to me. It makes me feel not so bad about waiting so to learn how to do something I enjoy more than anything else in the world. 🙂
But then there’s girls like Caeley!

Caeley is 12, and a budding refashionista! She began began going through her closet to see what she could refashion (So jealous I wasn’t doing this at her age! Gah!)
To get started, she marked the length of her old sweater to where she’d like the new one to fall.

Then, she snipped off those neck tie thingies!

She pinned and stitched up the front opening…

After a quick chop, a new hem, and turnaround so the front seam was in the back, Caeley’s new sweater was complete! 🙂

Check it out!

She even included a pic of her holding a drink! She’s clearly a girl after my own heart! 🙂

Awesome job Caeley! You rock! 🙂
Wow, AMAZING! So cute. I can’t sew a single thing…in fact my boyfriend recently sewed up a hole in my sweater, and helped me make curtains. VERY sad, I know. But I am learning, which is why I love this blog! It’s constant inspiration.
All I can say is GREAT JOB!!!! She’s a rock star!
LOVE the quote!!!! LOVE IT. I sometimes see people who are doing all these amazing things at such a young age and, being in my late twenties, I often feel sad that I haven’t accomplished all these amazing things like them. Then after reading a quote like this, or reading about people who have done really important things later in their lives really makes me feel better, like, “Hey! There’s still tons of time!” So, thanks for that, Jillian!
And awesome job Caeley! 🙂
Amazing! I wish I could have done stuff like that when I was 12 (heck, I wish I could do it now!)
Great job Caeley!!! Oh and BTW, that book is AMAZING – I’ve re read it several times and never get sick of it. And it led me into more Julia Child reading/cooking, double win!
she’s so adorable and she did such an amazing job!
Wow! That’s great 🙂
You did an awesome job! I wish more girls your age had a passion for refashioned clothing. I teach high school home ec and none of my students are as talented as you when it comes to sewing.
Excellent! Love the new look!
Oh my goodness how I wish I did that at her age. Fantastic job!!!
I am one of 7 daughters and luckily, my Mom taught each of us to sew, starting at a very young age. ( I was using doll clothing patterns at age 6.) It’s never too late to learn. Find a class and go for it.
Fabulous Re-Fahs!! Also, read this book a few summer’s ago and it was an absolute inspiration to me! I too am in my early 30s (gasp!!!) and it taught me that it is never too late to learn something new and follow your passion. I loves me some JC!
What a clever and beautiful young lady!
What a wonderful young lady! Look at what your passing on into the world! Maybe you didn’t, but you told many they could!
Great job Caeley! I learned how to sew when I was eight, from watching my mom, who sewed to be fashionable and save money. I did get into a little trouble with my first sewing experience, because I cut up some of mom’s designer scarves (believe they were Pucci and Hermes, it was the 70’s) to make Barbie clothes! Oh well…she never wore them! lol I am partially self-taught, partially high-school home-ec taught. The only awards I received in high school were for sewing and interior design, so you can see where my interests lay. I hadn’t really sewn in many years, but recently started up again, making Harry Potter dolls for my daughters for Christmas… of my own design! I now sell them through my facebook page at ElliesQuirkyCreations. I started “refashioning” as a teen, pants into shorts and capris, long-sleeve tops into short-sleeve tops, taking in clothes to fit better, etcetera. Jillian, you have inspired me to get back into it, and I have refashioned several items from the thrift store recently, including two dresses, two pairs of pants, and a nightgown. You will be seeing a reader refashion from me soon!
What a great job! You’ll go far, Caeley!
This young lady rocks the house! If this is what she’s doing at 12 years old, I can only imagine what she’ll be doing 10 years from now. We may be finding her creations in the boutique of the future. Keep it up Caeley! You are really talented!
Jennifer
http://highlife.mymwalimu.org
Another great refashion, very clever!
Very cute! How difficult is it to sew a sweater? If you cut the length shorter, wouldn’t it just all unravel? Or is that a dumb question? 🙂
Caeley added a hem right away, so it didn’t have time to unravel. 🙂
Awesome, Caeley! Keep it up!
Go Caeley! Your new sweater is quite fetching! 🙂
~Jen
http://diaryofamadmama.wordpress.com
You go girl!
She did a great job!
Well done caeley!! I wish I was doing it too at her age! I’ve only recently learned to sew, although I did knit as a child. I am going to teach my daughter willow to sew soon 🙂
Click on my name for my blog 🙂
http://www.facebook.com/angelfairydustrefashionsuk
Such talent. I’m reading and enjoying that book too.
I’m reading that book too!
Super great job! I loved that book as well, one of my favorites!
I love the Julia Child quote. Thank you for sharing!
Way to go Caeley!!! Fabulous! Keep up the great work!!…Future Designer?!
GREAT job!!!!
Caeley! Love it! Love your sense of humor too with the drink!
Fantastic!
This is awesome!
A-DORB!!!! Great job, and never lose that light in your eyes, Ms. C! The world needs more imaginative, spirited and creative young women!!
Ahhhmazing!!!
Wow! Am loving this, Caeley, you just gave me a tons of ideas. Thanks!
Very Intuitive young diva seamstress!
Great job…I’m glad we are all a little thirsty. Makes me feel better about myself 🙂
Standing O… Way to go girl ! Keep up the good work.
I too need to brush off my sewing machine.
Very clever Caeley!
Caeley – you rock!!! Very impressed. Oh that I had been so fashionable at 12 years old. 😉
great job Caeley.. I am very impressed with your ability to sew.
I love that quote–perhaps I will make a future quipple out of it. I also want to learn how to re-fash, but alas, I feel like I need a sewing machine! Luckily my friend N (who introduced me to your blog!) is going to teach me some basic sewing skills this summer. N, if you see this…I’m hoping our lessons can start in July! ;D
Awesome job Caeley!!!
Very good Caeley!!!
Wow – this is incredibly inspiring for a 12-year old! SO good and love that she’s mimicking the drink in hand – a girl after my heart as well!
That’s awesome!! I keep forgetting I can turn things around – I love that I was reminded by a 12-year-old!
Awesome job!
She does rock!!! Love it!
Excellent job, Caeley!! Your eye for ‘potential’ is inspiring!
That is awesome! Great job Caeley.