The note from school said that they were making dragon heads, but if parents would like to make dragon wings, they were more than welcome. This is the kind of note that a mother, that sews, loves. LOVES. My head filled with different design options. I mentally went through my craft supply cupboards deciding on the best materials.
” No thanks”
“What do you mean – no thanks?”
” I don’t want dragon wings. “
” Oh.” The shoulders of the sewing mother dropped.
Roll on to the evening after the dress rehearsal. He changed his mind. He’d seen his friends having fun with their wings. He did want dragon wings for the next day’s school assembly. In a mere 15 and a half hours time, which included some hours that I was hoping to grab some shut eye.
Paper out, pencil swirling, design made.
No. Wings had to be on the back, not flapping ones hanging from arms. Redesign. Hmm. Needs something to preserve the structure. Hope it will look like dragon wings and not butterfly ones.
I like a challenge. The clock was ticking.
17:30 The left over fabric from the bean bags I made, was hauled out. The stiffest dress interface net was dug out of the depths of the cupboard. Coat hanger tossed to one side and plastic canvas substituted.
(interval for eating, bathing and children put to bed.)
20:40 Dragon wings cut, pinned and sewn. Turned right way round. Hand sew the finishing edge begins.
21:36 Check for the right length of elastic on now sleeping child.
22:03 Wings finished. Rest on laurels.
(sleep)
07:34 Wings tried on. Flop. Centre of gravity wrong. Despite all attempts to rearrange.
07:41 Think
08:01 Change elastic to go over shoulders, rather than around chest. Sew it to the top of wings. Try again. Yes!
09:15 Assembly. Child has wings.
He is happy and I love a sewing challenge. Nothing new was bought for the project, so my stash has been usefully reduced. They are built to last and be played with. I hope the eye-defying fabric print and gentle droop from the top makes them look more like dragon wings than butterfly ones. To him they are dragon wings, so I guess that is all that counts.
(special thanks to daughter who modelled the wings for the top photos. School broke up earlier this week.)
They are totally fab! I know where to come for inspiration when these requests start coming my way.
And the requests will come, believe me. Usually with not much lead time. Be ready for the last two weeks of any term. They tend to save all requests for then. 🙂
I totally love this post… you are an absolute legend!!! Who on earth can make Dragon Wings over night, only you. I am in awe!!!
Thanks Se7en. It really is my favourite type of challenge. I excel at doing things at the eleventh hour!
oh that fabric is just perfect for dragon wings!!!
It is just enough to make it look like scales.