On a roll

Just like kindergarten, kids are required to have multiple bags for elementary school.  At my son's school, they don't just need a randoseru.  They also need a music bag, art bag, and indoor shoe (known as uwabaki, oo-wah-baa-key) bag.

We bought the fabric on Saturday in Nippori and today, I got busy sewing.

My son, for some random reason, requested a reversible bag for his music bag and art bag.  I never feel like a seamstress, but somehow, I am able to make up patterns and create something out of nothing.  It must be genetic.  My mom can sew anything.

In fact, I think my mother would have been laughing to see me sewing today.  I was featuring crazy hair (it was raining and all my cowlicks were standing at full attention) and rocking out to John Denver.  Well, laughing in a "that's my daughter" kind of way.

I'm amazed every time I hear schools "strongly recommending" mothers to sew these bags, and how few actually do.  Typically the chore is pawned off on grandma, a seamstress, or simply purchased instead.  It isn't that I think all moms should know how to sew or even that they need to make these bags.  It is more that I view it as an honor to sew these things for my son and do everything I can to make it happen.  In the end, it doesn't matter where a kid's bag comes from.  I do think the schools should leave moms to make the decision and not pressure them into making something they really don't want to.

I finished one bag today and have 2 more to do.  I should get the second one done tonight, as I'm almost finished with that one.  I absolutely think my son will love them.  I can't wait to see his face when he sees the finished product!