Help me to laugh about this!

Bags I have vodka – I wish I could pass a glass (or several) on. I can't remember from your previous posts how old minibags is, but I reckon she's at that age when what she does is blast ahead without reference to anyone else. It's awful, but I would guess that you and mrbags are doing a pretty good job and she'll come out the other side okay. She's a free-thinking and independently minded young woman and, I would guess, will do you great credit in the future. S**t right now – there's no comfort. Brace yourself.

It was a Christmas present. It's hers. She doesn't need to ask anyone's permission about what she does to it – it's a gift freely given. Sigh away.

Aaarghhhhhhh! Poor Bags.
Some years ago when my DD had begun taking Textiles at school, she asked if she could go through my fabrics for a few pieces to do something with. And proceeded to help herself to small cuts, a bit from this, a bit from that, as the fancy took her. What hurt most was a length of beautiful fabric I had been saving for absolutely years because nothing I was doing was quite special enough to use it. She solved that problem!! You have to smile - the alternative isn't legal

What a pretty skirt.

I must admit I had a titter

You'll feel better about it tomorrow when you have calmed down. You probably did something which wound your mum up!

I have vodka but I expect you have found an alternative by now.

I'll need a big drink to get through this evening as DH and DS3 are insisting I watch the football!

When I was in my early teens I cut the sleeves out of a blouse and proceeded to make the then very fashionable cap sleeve out of the sleeves -my mother came in and found me at the sewing machine putting them in. I can remember she asked what i was doing then turned round and went out without a word - she told me in later years that she nearly had a fit so decided to say nothing - but I did wear the blouse till it wore out even though I had not quite cut the new sleeves the right shape - did not make them smaller/ thinner as they went under the arm. Maybe Miss Minniebags will will become a famous dress designer - at least she is not afraid of the scissors!

She showed initiative, and I can't help thinking that she takes after her mum!

I agree with what the others have said! She knows her own mind, and at the back of it, knew you wouldn't approve, Bags, but went ahead anyway. Kids do that, especially at her age.

Innovative and single-minded, clearly. Just like her Mum!

Oh, you've already said that, annobel - Great minds.........

It's only a skirt
The fashions will change soon
It will be discarded eventually (or grown out of)
Use it for patchwork all in good time

Thank you all! You lot are good for the soul! I'm sad about the skirt (wanted one like that myself!) but I'm already chuckling inside. What I hadn't noticed is that the leggings she was wearing had been artistically slashed as well, and there are several sleeveless T-shirts that used to have sleeves.

DD does amazing drawings in the Manga style of fashion models wearing wacky clothes. I suppose trying them on with the available resources was the next logical step

I think I'm going to need a lot of virtual vodkas over the next few years. Thank goodness for gransnet!

Have photos of DD1(aged 4) in a woollen pinafore dress which as money was short I had lengthened by inserting a matching knitted waistband.
Whenever she sees this photo she moans about it.just because it was my design I guess and because she had to wear it instead of having a new one.

DD2 and her daughter are now having fun doing alterations and making costumes with the sewing machine I bought for her 50th birthday.
Bags sounds like your daughter is a spirited girl-guess you'll have a few tussles ahead.

Glad you're feeling better about it all, Bags. Sounds like you may have a budding fashion designer on your hands!
(I would definitely draw the line at her modifying any of your clothes, though...)

If it's any consolation Bags one of my friends at school did that trick with every item of clothing she had at the same age. She was never going to have clothes that anyone else had. She went to college to study art and fashion design and then became a fashion designer and tailor. Get her a sewing machine for her next birthday and leave her to it - she obviously has a mind of her own and is looking for an outlet!

I'm also glad you are feeling better about it Bags. It made me laugh now but when 2 of my daughters did that sort of thing with clothes it drove me nuts. That wasn't as bad as the strange hair colourings we became regularly saw. They are both ok now though!!! And both brilliant at design in one way or another - must get it from their father!

Oh bags what an inventive daughter you have..but I agree a little frustrating too! My daughters always had (still have) very good ideas that they took forward..when they were younger and my responsibility it was always a bit tough..everyone else saw the positive whilst I , like you, fumed! It is only a skirt and now its a tunic! Fashion designer, creative artist, entrepreneur , independent thinker! Be a proud mum!

When I was about four, I was standing behind my mother on the settee when she felt something cold on her back. I had carefully cut out one of the Paisley motifs on the back of her only good dress - and there was strict clothes rationing. I was supposed to be a very bright child, so goodness knows what was going through my mind.
I didn't learn though, and when I was about seven I decided I wanted to collect buttons - unfortunately, some of the buttons I collected were attached to my older sister's clothes when I detached them. She was 17 and my mother had to hide me until she had got over the worst of her rage.

she will go far bags, but I would get some vodka in for the more challenging moments

I remember when DS1 was at college he slashed his jeans in several places and looked a bit concerned when he came home. I said nothing then a couple of months later I heard a radio programme say that they do this as part of rebellion and expect to get a reaction. Next time he called home I told him off about it and he said that I hadn't mentioned it at the time so I told him why I was saying it now and we both had a good laugh about it.

I also didn't mention the earing another time but did tell the pretty girl up the road about it and said it didn't suit him. After he had been to see her on one of his visits home it came out never to return.

bags it looks like you may have a future Stella McCartney on your hands,don't knock it you could be sitting on the front row at all the fashion house shows in years to come.If she wants to carry on designing her own styles take her to your nearest charity shop cheap rail and let her imageination run wild.