On Living WITHOUT Spider-Man

August 2013

Last week when we got ready for the library, Eliza came downstairs in Daniel's outgrown Spiderman costume. It's the same one he wore every day for a year when he was three.

"Can I wear this, Mom?" Eliza asked.

"Absolutely," I replied.

Then Lee put on his Spiderman costume. It was too short in the legs and was (ahem) constricting in other areas.

"Can I wear mine, too?" he asked.

"Absolutely," I replied.

When we got to the library, I noticed he didn't take his coat off despite the thermostat's high setting. "You okay, buddy?" I asked. He assured me he was, but I noticed the way he kept his coat closed and kept glancing around him.

"I want to take this off," he said, gesturing toward the costume. "I've got clothes under it."

So sitting at the kid tables in the kid section in the library, I worked to help him remove his Spiderman costume. "Can you hold it?" he asked.

"Sure," I said, rolling it up and putting it into the book bag. Then we went back to his Math workbook.

I knew. It was probably the last time he'd wear a costume out in public except on Halloween. Costumes have been a BIG part of our lives for the past five years, and Lee kept squeezing into them even as the elastic groaned and the hems came closer to his knees than his ankles.

He'll still dress up, but now it'll be trying on new skills and new identities -- Big Cousin, Trusted Friend, Bike Rider, Shoe Tier, Trash Emptier, Reader, and Young Entrepreneur.

He'll visit Spiderman's world in movies and books, but chances are good he won't believe he is Spiderman or expect others to believe simply because he's wearing Spiderman's outfit.

We are moving very, very quickly through this thing called Parenting Young Ones. As someone obsessed with newborns and infants and toddlers and young pre-schoolers, I thought my heart would break daily when I realized our baby days were finished.

Instead, though, I've got more time to notice things. Instead of running from here to there, wiping bottoms and noses and spills and tears, I get to slow down and notice. I notice the lasts.

The truly awesome thing is that we get to notice the new firsts, too. They're not those familiar milestones like smiling, crawling, walking, and talking. There aren't blank spaces in baby books for these firsts.

The first time the boys came up with their own business plan and earned money, the first time Eliza climbed up in her bed without a stool, the first time they all sat at the table and conversed for an entire meal. Politely. In public.

We've entered into a new season of parenting: one where everyone is potty trained and temper tantrums aren't as frequent. They can dress themselves and buckle/unbuckle their own car seats. We have family discussions. We can go out to eat at a restaurant where the entrees cost more than $4. I get to sit down.

I'll always cherish the memories of having babies in my arms -- those nights sleeping with a baby on my chest and singing lullabies after middle-of-the-night nursing sessions; and the days holding one on my chest, one on my hip, and one by the hand. Remembering those moments will keep me warm in my rocking chair someday.

But right now I'm looking forward to big kid things. We're planning to take the kids on the AT this spring and to help them train for their first road running race. Lee is reading, and the whole world is about to open up to him.

We may not be living with Spiderman, and the boys' costume days may be over, but I can't WAIT to see what identity they try on next.

Crafting Con Guest Post: Mario

Have you heard of Crafting Con? It's a series hosted by Mae&K and Friends Stitched Together that celebrates all things nerdy. Each month there's a different theme like Star Wars or Harry Potter or Dr. Who -- and guests create tutorials and four bloggers compete with a complete outfit inspired by the theme.

This month it's my turn, and our theme was Mario Brothers! The boys got a Wii for Christmas and have been getting to know Mario and his friends. Daniel's favorite character is Mario - and he's the one who needed one more winter shirt - so, he got a Mario outfit!

Whenever I sew for Daniel, especially if it's something soft and comfortable, he is so grateful. It warms a sewing mama's heart to see him so happy. He wore these pants three days in a row until I convinced him they were stained and needed to be washed!

I wanted the outfit to be a nod to Mario - the converse shoes, slim-fitting pants reminiscent of the '80s, and pageboy hat. The appliquéd Mario silhouette is for fun!

The hat is the Newsboy Hat Sewing pattern from Butterfly Tree on Etsy. It's fully reversible and made with fabric from an upcycled robe my grandmother gave me. The pattern was super easy to follow, and I took my time and am pleased with the outcome.

The pants are the Clean Slate Pants from Blank Slate Patterns. I've made the pants a couple of times before, so they went together easily, too. I do have one recommendation: if you know yours is a slim kid and you'll be cinching the elastic quite a bit, anchor down the elastic closer to the pockets rather than the side seams. All that gathering makes the welt pockets distorted otherwise. I did widen the legs of the pants a tad for a more relaxed fit, and I'm glad. Melissa's directions for a zip fly are still my favorites.

The first time I sewed these pants was a couple of years ago (at least). I remember how difficult they were for me -- the welt pockets, the zip fly, everything. The fact that things were so much easier this time made me realize just how much all that hard work has paid off! Look -- it's even got a bar tack!

My love for the Bimaa knows no bounds! The hooded version is just as great as the others. Daniel loooooves hooded shirts. This is what? my fourth Bimaa? I won the pattern from Call Ajaire and will end up investing in the updated version that has more sizes.

That's it! There's more nerdy goodness over at Mae&K, and there are some photos I didn't share here, so go check them out if you're interested!

This Moment {September 26, 2014}

Five Years Old

Happy Birthday, Daniel Webb.

Your favorite food is spaghetti, which you eat piled high with parmesan. Your favorite toy is your (and your brother's) Angry Birds, which you stack and position -- you can name each and every little rubber bird and piggie in your collection. Your favorite book is The Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, which you've committed to heart. You want to be a roboticist, and if that ends up being your profession, I wouldn't be a bit surprised. It's fitting, my boy.

The world is a better place because you were born, Love.

Spring Photos (Attempt #1) with Stellar's Vests and Bow Ties

 

Details:

Patterns: Oliver+S Music Class Blouse and Skirt (blogged here). Elegance & Elephants Stellar's Vest. Self-drafted bow tie based on this tutorial by Delia Creates. (She released an updated tutorial and free pattern recently.)

Fabric: interlock (medium weight) for the vests. plain quilting cotton for the bow ties. Both purchased at JoAnn. 

Sizes: Lee's vest is size 6. Daniels is size 5. Eliza's shirt is size 18/24 month. Her skirt is size 2T.

Fit: Lee's vest fits perfectly. Daniel is a tad big, which I expected. 

Thoughts:

• These vests were easy, quick sews. I had trouble on the first one getting that V to match up and work in the center. Heidi revamped the instructions since we tested it. (The tested version I made here was the only other time I've sewn this pattern.) My second vest was much easier. I recommend following her instructions very closely to ensure success. I ran into trouble when I tried to take shortcuts.
• The bow ties were simple to draft and assemble. Amanda wants the boys to wear bow ties in her wedding, so it's nice to already have an idea of how I'll make and tie them.
• Tying bow ties is tricky. I used velcro for fastening these, and I'm glad. It makes them adjustable so they'll fit for a while, and it means I don't have to re-tie them next time they wear them.
• It's hard to tell in the photos, but the vests are teal and the bow ties are navy. They match Eliza's skirt perfectly. 
• For the LOVE it is really, insanely difficult to get nice photos of Eliza unless it's on her terms. (and we all know how irrational an almost-three-year-old's terms can be.) My mother-in-law was with us, which was fun -- because I enjoy her company and also because it was nice to have someone to turn to and roll my eyes when Eliza was being a pill.

I'm debating on trying again or just letting it go. Eliza was crying in our family photo at the beach last summer. She was sticking her tongue out in every one of our Christmas photos. So, I think this is as good as it gets.

Our albums will be FULL of things to make us laugh someday. 

This Moment {April 11, 2014}

Tested: Stellar's Vest from Elegance & Elephants

I've been longing for a vest pattern for the boys for a while now, and Heidi has delivered a great one with the latest Elegance and Elephants pattern. (It'll be released soon!)

It's the Stellar Vest. The pattern includes a dress option (with pockets) and is designed to be layered. It's a quick, easy sew and doesn't use a great deal of fabric. (About a yard for Lee's size.)

For this test version, I used two of Ryan's old vests. I probably could have used just one vest and kept the original arm and neck bands, but because I was testing it was important to stick to the pattern's measurements and not fiddle with widths.

Here's what I really liked: the proportions of the bands are scaled appropriately, the pattern and instructions are well executed, the fit is just right for layering, and it's a great wardrobe staple.

The only challenge I had was centering the "V" and making sure it was neat. And not melting the synthetic fabric when I pressed it.

Stats:

Pattern: Stellar's Vest and Dress from Elegance & Elephants

Fabric: Upcycled Docker's vest

Size: 6

Modifications: None

Thoughts: I'll be using this pattern for the boys' Spring photos outfit! I'll choose the fabric to coordinate with Eliza's dress, and the vest will be layered over a plain white dress shirt and chino pants. Vests are kind of our thing for Spring photos.

Now if I could just find a location as gorgeous as Biltmore. . . (here are our last three years' photos) 

Raw-Edged Raglans x2 (KCW Day Two)

Stats:

Pattern: Raw-Edged Raglan from Sewing for Boys.

Fabric: Organic lightweight knit from my stash. (I miss Spiritex warehouse sales. I'll especially miss them when my stash is empty here in a few projects.)

Size: 6/7 for Daniel. Graded up to 8ish for Lee. They are both a little big, but they'll fit all winter and allow for more shrinkage. I sized up knowing a) the fit of the pattern is slim and b) this fabric has a tendency to shrink. 

Modifications: none

Thoughts: This pattern is so easy, and I've always liked the look of the raw edges. They had three versions last year, and out of all of their handmade items those t-shirts received the most enthusiastic wear. No internal itchy seams combined with soft organic cotton means these shirts are super comfortable. No hems means sewing time is cut in half.

I've got a recommendation for those sewing this pattern. I saw it somewhere, although I can't remember where (sorry!). When topstitching the seams down where the sleeves meet the front and back, and along the side seams, stitch with the shirt WRONG side out so the flattened seam allowance is on BOTTOM against the feed dogs. Otherwise you'll be lifting your presser foot the whole time trying to keep those seam allowances from puckering and moving.

The biggest size for this pattern is 6/7, but Burda has a raglan pattern for big kids. I'll get it if I make more of these for Lee and just use the same technique to have raw edges. Because it's a cool look.

In other news, my house is a disaster and The Man is getting home from another business trip today. Rest time sewing will be a bust, and late-night sewing may be ditched, so this space will likely be quiet tomorrow.

Mad for Plaid (PR&P Week 3)

This one is down to the wire, for sure. It's been an intense week around here (first peak of marathon #5 training, among other things), so when I cut it out on Tuesday there was a possibility it wouldn't be finished by the Project Run and Play sew along deadline.

Fortunately I've sewn this shirt up before and didn't have to spend a lot of time figuring out instructions.

The theme for PR&P this week is "Mad for Plaid." Two of Ryan's dress shirts made into a Henry Shirt were perfect for the challenge.

This version is for Daniel. He. Loves. It.

And now, because I couldn't pick just one, and because he was so excited to be the recipient/object of my sewing/picture taking, and because he makes my heart skip beats. . .

here is a picture overload.

This photo gives me an idea of what he'll look like at 15. Be still my heart.

Stats:
Pattern: The Henry Shirt from Sewing for Boys
Fabric: two upcycled dress shirts (one short-sleeved)
Size: 2/3 with added two inches to length
Modifications: 
made pocket taller
narrowed back pleat to 1"
used buttons instead of snaps
Thoughts: I am SO much happier with the fit of this shirt! I really didn't like the boxiness of the first version I made, but this one is just right. If I make another for Lee, I'll use the 4/5 size and just add length.

Overall we're both thrilled with the result. The whole ensemble turned out just as I'd imagined.

Next week is signature style week! I'll be back to sewing for The Girl.

Completed: The Henry Shirt Wearable Muslin

One of the main pieces I'm planning for the boys' fall wardrobe is The Henry Shirt from Sewing for Boys. I've got three planned for each of them.

There are a dozen of Ryan's old dress shirts in my upcycle pile, but it takes two large men's dress shirts to create one shirt for the boys.

Enter The Henry Shirt. It calls for two fabrics -- perfect. Two of Ryan's shirts that coordinate will make one Henry. It's a button-up style (the pattern has snaps, but I'll go with buttons) that can be layered. It will be perfect for church or dressy casual occasions.

Because I'm planning so many of them, I wanted to do a test version. The reviews of the pattern indicated that it's boxy and runs wide and short. Lee is an average sized almost-6-year-old boy, so I sewed up the size 6/7 knowing it would likely be too big.

It was. But he'll be able to wear it eventually, so no big deal. I didn't add the buttons because they'll never be used anyway.

Here are the things I love about this design:
the pockets
the box pleat
the curved yoke
the raglan sleeves
the enclosed seams and neat finish
the opportunity for embellishment (piping, anyone? embroidery on the pockets?)

Here are the things I don't love about this design:
the collar
the collar (It's worth mentioning twice. This collar and I had words, y'all.)
the boxiness

It's awesome enough that I will still sew up my planned versions.
Here are the changes I'll make:
raise the pockets higher and make them taller
use the smaller size (4/5) everywhere but length (6/7)
consider narrowing the box pleat
add 1" to the size (6/7) length
rethink that collar and maybe reduce its size. it just seems off scale.
use buttons instead of snaps
add a size tag. for the love, WHY can't I ever remember to do that?

Stats:
Pattern: The Henry Shirt from Sewing for Boys
Fabric: Ryan's old dress shirts
Size: 6/7
Modifications: None
Thoughts: This pattern is rated Advanced, and I get that. While I don't consider myself advanced, there are some curved seams and such that could offer challenges.

I didn't have a bit of trouble until that stinkin' collar. I could NOT figure out how to get the edge of the collar to conceal the top of the button placket. Ugh. It was bad. It turned out okay, but still. Too much effort there. So much so that Ryan offered to help. And I considered letting him.

The reviews for this pattern were tough. The main problem is there aren't enough diagrams in the book to explain the steps in detail. And unfortunately there was a great sew-along, but the pictures there didn't provide enough detail to help me with the collar. (Although they did answer the tricky question of which side of the collar is the top and which is the bottom.) If you sew this pattern, I highly recommend checking out the sew-along at Thar She Sews and Bilingual Baby.

Overall it's got enough awesome details that I feel it's worth sewing again.

Now if I can't beat that collar into submission, I reserve the right to change my mind.

(Project Run & Play starts September 9th. I'll be using this pattern during the "Mad for Plaid" theme during week 3. So far that's the only week to which I'm totally committed, but I've found myself daydreaming about how to re-mix the free Oliver + S Popover Dress pattern for the week 1 challenge... ... ...)