I expect this post won’t sit well with some of our readers.  There is a funny homeschool family that even makes youtubes of them in their pajamas!  I will be the first to admit that sometimes I just don’t feel like getting dressed and facing the world.  But I still do it each and every day.  And the kids were also required to dress for the day – every day.

When I say dressed – I mean what is appropriate, practical, and presentable.  Isn’t it preferable to be decently garbed and groomed when the UPS man comes to the door?  Or how about if your mother-in-law stops by?  You should never feel uncomfortable about your appearance – or your children’s appearance.  I would also add – it is nice for your husband when he comes home from a hard day’s work, if you don’t present as a frump. 

• Wearing skirts is a personal conviction between you and The LORD.  If you truly believe in your heart, that your pants,  jeans, and shorts, are modest, practical, presentable, and pleasing to your husband and your God – then go ahead and wear them.  I no longer wear pants of any kind – but this came after many years of conviction and spiritual growth.  
• Our experience revealed that the children were more ready to learn after washing up and dressing.  It had something of the effect of school uniforms.  No torn or raggedy play clothes.  I learned also not even to allow breakfast unless they came to the table with washed faces, hair in order, and clean clothing. 
• When there was sickness, all day pajamas and nightgowns were permitted, providing the patient was too sick to do anything except stay in bed all day.  They all tried at some point to “fake it,” and spend the day goofing around instead of working.  If you’re well enough to play games, or talk on the phone, you are also well enough to do your math page! 
• If you take your job as home school teacher seriously – your children will be more likely to do so as well.  Leading by example can be expressed in how you dress.  If your kids think you don’t care – they won’t care either.
• If you are under conviction to wear skirts, it is wiser to start daughters out in skirts from the start, with leggings or shorts under the skirts for modesty during the toddler stage.  It is very difficult to get daughters to wear skirts after they reach adolescence if they have not been dressed that way from the beginning. 

I wear a “uniform” of sorts, and if I dressed any differently my family would think something was out of kilter.  When I was first married, I wore sweat pants because they were so cheap.  My husband never said anything, but I could tell he didn’t like them.  Then I tried jeans.  That was not very practical (not to say immodest) because I spend a lot of time on my hands and knees.   My jeans invariably ended up with holes in the knees – and that was even worse then the sweat pants! I was so frustrated and it was too expensive to keep replacing pants that were worn at the knees.  Patching was only a temporary fix. 

The answer came one day while I was sewing a skirt and top for a new spring church outfit.  The skirt was an aline, six panel, elastic waist pattern.  Very easy to sew, fits smoothly with no bunching because of the aline, and – the most important – it has no front or back!  Since it wears that way – it does not wear out too quickly in one certain area.  I decided to make the skirt out of denim, and voila!  Problem solved.  These skirts wear like iron.  I get several years out of each skirt, even with daily washing.

This is the pattern I have been using for a long, long time.  While it is no longer in print – some are available on Ebay, and I believe Kwik Sew sells some out of print patterns.  It is Kwik Sew 2956 – and sews like a dream.  Other pattern companies sell similar styles.  I really like this one because of the trim fit, and the full, sweeping skirt.  There is never any difficulty no matter what kind of work I am doing – it does the job.  I usually try to find denim that has some kind of embroidery on it for visual interest.  The one I have on now has red and blue embroidered stars scattered over the fabric.  Subtle, but nice. 

I pair these skirts with either a tee shirt, or a turtle neck (depending on weather) which I buy for $5 at Meijers.  Since these are so thrifty – I usually get several new ones every year.  They last about 2-3 years through daily washings.

On top of the skirt and shirt – I wear this apron.  It covers everything, has two pockets, and fits more like a dress than an apron.  I have made this pattern over 30 times.  The two deep pockets hold my hankie, and whatever else I need to tote around.  This is always made out of calico, and gets a lot of washing too.  Unfortunately, this great pattern is also out of print – but is being sold on Ebay as well. The binding is a little tedious to sew, but not difficult.  What makes this so practical, is the fact that it keeps the skirt and shirt so clean, that if I want to go somewhere like the library, grocery shopping, or Wednesday night prayer meeting, I just pop off the apron, put on a jacket or whatever – and I’m out the door!  The fabrics I choose for these can run from flowers, to leaves, to birds.   Sometimes I choose seasonal prints, for specialty aprons worn on holidays.  It is very festive – and you can function in the kitchen and still look good. 

Why only get dressed for total strangers when you go out?  Why not look good for the people you love the most?  You can be practical, modest, and lovely for your dear ones.  They deserve it!  And you will feel better too.

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Proverbs 31:21-22

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.