This little monkey got himself a new shirt this week, rather unexpectedly. When that big pile of new fabric arrived, he was quite taken with the octopus fabric and declared, "THAT one should be a shirt! For me!". This Tuesday, Ani shifted her sewing energy to others for the day - working with me to make a bubble dress for a friend's birthday coming up, and to make this shirt for her brother. She was excited to think about each of them receiving their handmades, and eager to offer advice on the making of them, as usual. And of course, I had stories and singing from her all the while.
The fabulous octopus fabric is by Cotton + Steel, and the pattern I used was Easy Linen Shirt from the book Sewing for Boys by Shelly FIgueroa and Karen LePage (of Patterns by Figgy). I was concerned as the sizing topped out at 6/7, so I added a bit to the hem and sleeves to accommodate my not-so-small seven year old Harper. I needn't have done that though, there was plenty of room. Though now we've got inches of hems to unroll as time goes on and he grows even more (as he just keeps doing! like a weed!). We added some buttons to the neck (moose antler buttons, no less!) - he didn't love the way the shirt fell open there, and felt more comfortable being able to close it up. It is such a sweet little shirt that was easy to put together and delightful to share with him.
In the end, after a dress for a friend and a shirt for her brother were complete, there was still just a tiny bit of time for some more sewing. Having recently unearthed a pile of 'in progress' sewing, I remembered this hat I had begun years (and years!) ago, presumably for her older sister, though I really can't remember. The pieces were cut out, interfacing having already been added, and it was just a matter of stitching it up, sans pattern because honestly I have no idea what pattern I started it with all those years ago. But I sorted that out and in no time at all she had herself a new hat. Perhaps not appropriate for the season, but surely that's not something that matters to her. She was thrilled. And donning her friend's new dress (because she had to test it out before we give it away, "just to make sure it works, Mama"), and a new hat on her head, her arms were full of a shirt for her brother when he walked in the door from skiing. She handed it to him before his jacket was off, excitedly exclaiming, "It's an OCTOPUS shirt, Harper. An OCTOPUS shirt!!! Isn't that awesome???"
He most definitely agreed (and the shirt has hardly been taken off since!).
