I LOVE Ponchos on little girls.  Who doesn’t love Red Riding Hood?  I made ponchos just like these for my girls a couple of years ago, and then I made another last year for a little girl turning 1.  And then 3 more this summer for 3 little girls turning 1. It hit me as I made this summer’s batch that I never listen to music or TV when I make these, which is odd because I ALWAYS watch movies upstairs while I sew.  The puppet theater? It’s the “He’s Just Not That Into You” theater.  Every single thing for the Butterfly Party?  Could very well be called the “You’ve Got Mail” party.  I watch the same movie over and over through a project…don’t ask me why…it’s my process.

But not for the ponchos…no noise allowed while I make the ponchos.  It hit me this summer that I have always silently prayed for the receiver while making them.  So this time around, I did so intentionally, and therefore, I started calling these “The Prayer Ponchos”.  It felt very renewing to make them this way, and to think about a healthy and adventuresome life for such sweet little children.  It was freeing.  I didn’t spend time worrying and fretting for them.  I felt bold about their futures.  Confident.  Hopeful.  For a person who spends a great deal of the day worrying, praying felt mighty good.

What I really love about this year’s ponchos was my ability to finally repeat myself.  You’re actually viewing 3 different ponchos in these pictures, 2 paired in each picture.  Even I can’t tell them apart.  I’ve never had the skill to copy my work, so these easy-to-make fleece jackets represent a big growth step for me.  I feel like I’m really sewing now.  Now if I could just get the guts to make something NEW!