Sewing Dragon Scales

 Saul, do you remember what the special project is that we’re sewing for today? - Elyse
“For the (next year's) Rainey Room’s dragon costume!” - Saul, 3.8 years

Saul absolutely loves to sew, and we've been thinking a little bit about this upcoming project over the past week or so.  Brown Room has been working (since January) on a dragon costume inspired by their experience with the Chinese New Year.  They invited Saul, who is also a member of the Brown Room, to sew a scale for the costume.  

We also got to share this experience with Lucia, who is part of the Rainey Room B pod on campus.  Lucia is also excellent at sewing and arranging her materials on the fabric.  Lucia and Saul made a great sewing team. 

To begin, we looked at a few photos/images of Chinese dragons.  

“It’s a big dragon.” - Saul, 3.8 years
It is, and this is the dragon that inspired the Brown Room. - Elyse

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I’m going to hold it up close so that you can see the scales. - Elyse
“I do see the scales!” - Lucia, 3.11 years

“You see those yellow and red ones!” - Saul

“I’m adding beads to different beads.” - Saul 
“I’m adding beads because it’s good!” - Lucia 
“These are beads with tall bottoms and squishy tops.” - Saul 
“I have a few of those.” - Lucia 

“Now I’m going to add this little silver one.” - Saul 

“It (thread) came out of the fishy’s mouth!” - Lucia 

“Elyse, I’m going to keep sewing my dragon scales.” - Saul

Your beads remind me of the dragon. - Elyse
“They are the silver ones.” - Saul 
I wish I had some of those. - Elyse
“You can get them from the bead supermarket.” - Saul

What to do when you make a mistake.

When I shared that I had accidentally looped my thread around the hoop, which makes it hard to continue, Saul responded with a helpful thought:
“So, you made a wrong. Try to be more careful.” - Saul

Oops, I poked myself with the needle. - Elyse
“Be more careful.” - Saul 
Yeah. I wasn’t paying close attention. - Elyse
“Well, you can try again.” - Saul 
[A few minutes later.]
“Ugh, I poked myself.” - Saul 
I did that too, and do you remember what you told me? You told me that I had to be extra careful. - Elyse

Observing Costumes and thinking about sharing the scale

The Brown Room is working together. - Elyse
“But for now we’re working on sewing projects.” - Saul 
“I want to keep it at home for a little while.” - Saul 

“Maybe I can wear a dragon costume.” - Saul 
Everyone will be able to wear it together. It will go to the Rainey Room with you. - Elyse
“Even I can wear it?” - Saul 
They are going to sew the scales onto the costume, and everybody can wear it. - Elyse
“Even me?” - Saul 
Yes. The dragon costume is a collaborative project, which means everyone is going to work together, and then everyone gets to wear it. - Elyse
“I don’t really have a dragon, so I’m going to get one in my class. Oh, I better wear it.” - Saul 

Do you see the way it moves? -Elyse
“Look! They’re sewing it!” - Saul 
It does look like that; like the up and down movement of our sewing. - Elyse

Looking backwards and forwards (to Rainey Room)

Naama and Kim discovered that they knew each other from when Riva was at St. John's in the Brown Room and Loren was in the Rainey Room! It's always wonderful to reconnect with old friends! 

[looking at the Brown Room's work on the costume]
“Tucker room is a huge room.” - Saul 
The Rainey room is really big too. You’ll be in the Rainey Room, and I’ll be in the Tucker Room, but we’ll get to see each other sometimes. - Elyse
“But I’m going to be in the Tucker Room too?” - Saul 
You’re going to be in the Rainey Room. - Elyse
“Are you in the Rainey Room?” - Saul 
I’m in the Rainey Room this year; sort of. - Elyse
“But this is your office.” - Saul 
Well, technically this year I’m at home, doing virtual with you. You and I are our own classroom. - Elyse
“But don’t forget that I love you.” - Saul