Written by Jill Sheets, Relate Contributing Writer

In the coming weeks, I will be talking to two talented sisters from Missouri. We have been blessed to know 14-year-old Hannah and her 12-year-old sister Amanda for around four years now. Watching these two talented Missouri sisters grow has been amazing. To hear them sing in church for the Christmas cantata to watching them get their patches from Awanna has been great, and we are looking forward to the years to come. But there is more to these busy sisters, and we had the honor of interviewing them about their awesome sewing and fashion projects…projects any girl could do right in her own home! What about making clothes for your pet? Making artsy quote/poem wallets? Would you consider a handmade Team Jacob pillow!? The list goes on!

Our first interview is with 14-year-old Hannah.

Relate: Tell us about the Christmas Gifts that you made for your family and friends?

Hannah: This Christmas, I made all my friends polka dotted pillows in the shape of the first letter in their name. Also a couple of my friends received black rectangular pillows that said Team Jacob in different neon colors. This year, I didn’t make any gifts for my immediate family because I didn’t have the time. But, in the past I have made scarves, pillows and stocking hats.

R: I think it is great that you made your family and friends gifts for Christmas. Tell us about the hotpads you made for your family?

H:My aunt gave my sister and I a sewing machine of our very own, so the hotpad I made went to her. I sewed different holiday fabrics together, and then the machine quilted it.

R: At what age did you start to sew?

H:My mom started teaching me how to sew at a very young age. I was probably about 6 years old when I started using an actual sewing machine, but before then I would hand-sew and make my own creations out of anything I could find. One Christmas when I was really little, I made my mom arm warmers out of an old flannel shirt that was my dad’s. I cut the sleeves off, threaded yarn through the top of the sleeves [so they would stay on] and decorated them with paper flowers and butterflies. Mom still has them to this day.

R: Tell us about your pocketbooks that you make?

H: One of my best friends likes to write poems; she gave me one of them and I thought it was really good. So I typed it up in fancy lettering, printed it, laminated it, cut it, and finally sewed it up just like it were fabric. It turned out really well and I gave it to my friend. Also, I made a wallet out of colorful duck tape.

R: How long does it take you to make one?

H: It doesn’t take too long- probably about 20 minutes.

R: You also knit. What kind of things do you knit?

H: The only thing that I’ve actually knitted was a scarf that I made for mom. But, I have this ring type thing called a nifty knitter that I’ve made hats with.

R: What other things do you make?

H: I sewed a halter tank top shirt this summer and entered it in to the County Fair. Hopefully this winter sometime I will make the pajama shorts I’ve been waiting to make. I used to make purses out of old jeans, but I did make one bag to carry my clogging shoes in. Also, I sometimes make clothing and costumes for my cat and bunny.

R: I heard that you cook. Who taught you how to cook, and what is your favorite dish to cook or bake?

H: Mom and grandma taught me how to cook. I love to bake desserts. Brownies, cakes, pies, cookies, anything sweet. I like to try out new recipes and sometimes make my own.

R: What other talents do you have?

H: I play volleyball and also pole vault. I’m part of a dance team that clogs. I’m in Student Council and I also like to swim.

R: What are your future goals?

H: My future goals would be to finish high school with good grades and go to college to be a doctor. I’m not sure what kind of doctor, but I know I want to work somewhere in the [medical] field. I would like to have a family of my own and be a great mom and wife.

Stay tuned for sister Amanda’s interview next week! Have any questions for Hannah? Send them to thescene@relatemag.com! Comment below about your own DIY ideas for winter.

Tags: Do-it-yourself pillows, handmade pocketbooks, scarves, sewing for young girls, Team Jacob pillows, teen sewing