My oldest turned 13 right before Christmas. I have been saving her old clothes since 1st grade for this very day! I made her a quilt a long time ago from her baby-to-kindergarten clothes, but that one was a small little doll quilt. This one was going to be big enough for her bed! She and I revisited these clothes right before I started to cut them up. She picked out the things that she remembered as her favorites, and we had a good chuckle over her early sense of style (let’s just say matching was not a priority). It’s amazing to see how her personality has developed through her outfits.
Born a collicky baby, she basically wore pajamas for a year. Hand-me-downs from my nephew put her in blue stripes for the next year. By the time she was two, she began making her own choices. She spent the next 5 years in dresses. Only dresses. Having missed that lesson on coordinating, her outfits were very eye-catching. Right around 2nd grade, dresses were out and pants were in. Jeans and t-shirts became the new uniform. Nowadays, it’s all labels. She and her friends are like Abercrombie clones. Though lately, there are days when she throws caution to the wind and pulls out her glitter tights and gold boots. I love seeing glimpses of what her teenage style will be. Maybe we’ll even share!
I love these photos that show her personality: Determined – Belting out Annie at age 4 / Protective – Hugging her baby sister / Playful – Discovering that her sister is now a friend / Helpful – Feeding the new baby (in her fave heart sweater) / Responsible – Always ready for a photo op (in her fave plaid skirt) / Funny – Goofing around with her little sister.
Being the oldest is not always an easy role. But she carries herself with grace and poise and has an inner strength that is enviable. She’s a special girl, what a privilege it has been to grow with her!
{Tender Threads quilts}
xo, Bar
Another beautiful piece of art Bar! Love it…and how can she be 13 yrs old already?