18 Pairs of Pajama Pants Down

Yesterday, I successfully helped 18 girls finish pajama pants and a pillow case in 3 days of 3 hours or sewing; 2 classes of 9. It was undoubtedly nothing but fun! The process can be stressful at times, but I feel I have really mastered the art of our annual Camp Snowy Nights class at the store. It really is a science. I have a time line for each step and know when girls are falling behind, because this is about the 7th year I have taught this class.

Their excitement as the finish their hems and run to the bathroom to change to get ready for the class photo, is priceless. It's that innocent bliss that fills their face and it is honestly a moment that shines above any of the stressful moments during the 18 hours that I may have.

My excitement as I clean the classroom on the final camp day, slowly drains and I realize I have to wait until Spring Break or the Summer to teach this class again. Regardless of any frustration during the class, I am sad when it is over but glad they all of successfully completed pajama pants and pillowcases. Luckily, I still have my weekly and monthly classes throughout the school year that are set up differently then these camps, but are just as rewarding.

Fitting the pants this year was like any other year; unexpected. You really can not know or ask the sizes of the girls, and many of them are child sizes while others are adult sizes. This year I went with a children's pattern and planned to do the pillowcase on the first day so that I could figure out who might need an adult pattern and could prepare for the next day. It worked out fine and I did have a pattern crunch moment, but it all worked out.

I think 18 pairs of pajama pants that make 18 girls happy, is really the end goal here. They really enjoyed the process and the fun we had in class. They made friends and they made pants. Because these 2 camps filled up so early, I added another 6 hour class on Saturday just for making the pajama pants. I am a little worried about the length of time for girls aged 7-10, but it should be another full days of sewing, with the same priceless bliss that ends it all.