12 June 2012

OUT Chapter 3: Me

One of Pearl's absolute favorite books is My Chincoteague Pony by Susan Jeffers.  Mostly because it's all about horses, but I think she sees a little of herself in the girl, which is based on a true story.
You see, each year there are ponies auctioned off in Chincoteague, Virginia.  One little girl, whose heart yearns to have a pony of her own, spends all year earning money by doing chores and babysitting.  
Where do the ponies come from?  Many years ago a Spanish galleon shipwrecked off Assateague Island and the cargo of ponies swam to the island where they lived, and multiplied.  But soon there was not enough room or food for all the wild ponies, so the volunteer fire department, known as "saltwater cowboys" would swim some across the channel to be auctioned off. 
After being outbid time after time, the last pony is being auctioned off.  Slowly, strangers in the crowd begin passing a few dollars to the little girl, seeing how she is so set on buying her very own pony.  Finally, she wins the auction.  She goes home with all the joy of having a pony, but then spends another year earning money so she can go to the auction to give it to someone else who has the same desire.
We would love to take Pearl one year, even if it is just to experience the auction and those wild ponies.  Until then, we made our own herd of ponies, one for each of the kids.  They all chose the fur and yarn they wanted to use.
Pearl, our resident horse expert, drew up the template that we used to cut out our ponies.  We kept it simple and everyone did what they could to help.  For the mane and tail we wrapped yarn around another's hands, cutting on one side, tying a knot on the other.
Then we tucked the knots just inside the seam allowance with fabrics wrong sides together.  This makes it super simple for young ones to help because you don't need to turn it right side out.  They're wild, you know.  
Stitch around perimeter of the pony, using a zipper foot so you don't need to pass over the knots within the seam, leaving the back open to easily stuff the legs.  If your sewing machine has a hard time moving the fabric under the presser foot, pull the fabric with your left hand, while guiding it with your right. We used a pencil to get the stuffing down in the legs.  Stitch back shut.
We started with one strapping stallion who met a mighty fine mare.  They had a pretty cute foal in no time.
And before we knew it, there was a whole stampede going on.
And off they galloped.
One more day of Once Upon a Thread!  Although, I just ordered a whole bunch of books from the library, so I don't know that I'll be able to contain myself until the next chapter.  They might come sprinkling through my other posts until then.  Now if there were just a few more hours in the day.  Or I could do chores like the Jetsons did.  I'd prefer the Jetsons.

13 comments:

  1. Come visit! We'll go together. I have yet to see that corner of my lovely state.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What fun! I LOVE the ponies! Thx for hosting the OUT - it is always tons of fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. oh fun! we vacation in chincoteague every other summer. it's such a fun place, the beach there is so open!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have to show this to Abby... she will want me to take her to Joann's ASAP!! This is the perfect project for my horse loven' gal!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cute. I seriously need to look through my daughter's books and make something. Your OUT series is so inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  6. :) My 9yr old son passed by while I was reading and wanted to see what it was all about. Then he insisted I leave a comment about how cool this is. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think your Pearl, and my Emmie would be kindred spirits, my Emmie is a horsey girl through and through, and she loves to help me craft and sew!

    ReplyDelete
  8. We love Chincoteague! If you haven't seen it yet then watch the classic movie with your girls 'Misty of Chincoteague' I think that's the title. Loved that ballon picture :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. We love that area of Virginia, and have always longed to go to one of the pony auctions! Perhaps one day we will get there! (We live in Washington state.)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your herd! I too am tempted to keep sewing OUT! Thanks for inspiring us!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm sure your girls would love the island ponies. After many years of receiving treats from visitors there are some who don't have much "wild" left in them. A few are more likely to try to climb right into your car! ;D

    ReplyDelete
  12. That story is the best. One of the world's wonders. I'd like to join you when you take Pearl. I also love the lot of horses! Would that I even knew about zipper foots and presser foots so there could be such classic toys as these around our house too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. How did I miss this post? I have long been a reader of your blog and don't know how I missed this. My mother was born and raised on Chincoteague. She even got to ride the real Misty, and if you watch the movie, the barber is my Great Uncle Tiggy, who really was the island barber! You MUST visit the island and experience the beauty and quaintness. In July, right before the pony swim and pony penning, there's a carnival!

    ReplyDelete

Be a lamb & tell me what's on your mind.