26 May, 2010
Let’s play dressmaker
Posted by andrea tomkins in: Giveaways and product reviews|Oh! Things!
Now that the girls are getting a little older their toys are looking a little different. Video games and handheld games are the rage at this age. We play our share of video games (we have a Wii) but I do like them to play with regular toys while they’re still young enough to do so.
Awhile back I was sent a Harumika set for Emma and Sarah to try out. (Pictured on the right.)
Small squares of fabric are attached to a small dressmaker’s dummy (the fabric is tucked into a space in the back with a small tool). It doesn’t take long to mix and match and the results are nice. Easy to create, easy to pull apart. No sewing skills required! (Although just as I type that I have to admit that our overall lack of sewing skills makes me a little sad. Back in the day girls Emma’s age were sewing samplers and knitting mittens! Boo.)
The girls are quite happy playing with it together, but the set doesn’t come with quite enough material to share and this has resulted in the occasional argument. :) But what I DO really like about this toy is that I can cut up pieces and add to our stash. If we knew someone else with a Harumika we could even do fabric swaps.
Our other fashion-related toy is a little design set my in-laws gave Emma for her birthday. It’s a Djeco “Fashion Workshop Craft Kit.” Emma loves it. She was working on it this morning before school and asked to bring it to school to play with during free time. It was purchased at Tag Along Toys in Kanata … but I couldn’t find it on their website, so check it out over here to get an idea of what I’m talking about. Neat eh?
I am amazed at her focus and attention while she creates her outfits. And the results are really pretty.
I don’t pretend that one of them will grow up to be a fashion designer, but it’s nice to have them sitting quietly at the table doing something creative on a rainy day, you know what I mean?

