Summer/Spring wardrobe for one year old Musa

Our sweet boy turned one year old last month and I could not think of a greater gift than lovingly made, much needed summer clothes. Okay, maybe he could do with some new toys of his own that are not broken. Santa will certainly do something about that because this little boy is the sweetest thing alive, except at night time. Shhh, let's not talk about that!

One of Musa's very favourite things to do is getting muddy in the playhouse with his sister. They play hard, sometimes for hours and get thoroughly covered in mud! It is a delight to see them enjoy themselves, although I can't say the same about hand washing their clothes! Now he has new (mostly white) clothes to make happy, muddy memories in.

Happy new year of your life Musa, our daily reminder of God's mercy and grace.

Shweshwe dresses

I recently had the opportunity to sew a few Shweshwe goodies for a friend's sweet little South African princess who was born in America. I hope she (her mama) will enjoy the dresses for months to come and may she make many happy memories in them. 

A few months ago, I was asked to make a some dresses for a lovely little girl. I was initially reluctant and came up with many excuses, some valid and some as a cover-up for my fears. What if my work is not good enough? What if the dresses do not live up to expectation? There were so many "what ifs" in my head. Yet despite such feelings of reluctance and fear, I had a strong sense that I needed to take this opportunity - and I am glad I did! I felt so vulnerable as I packaged the resulting dresses for postage, but the sense of courage and accomplishment I felt as I actually handed over the package was indescribable. 

I enjoyed making the dresses, but I felt challenged and stretched in many ways, in my skills as well as emotionally. Sewing for an order is so different to sewing for my own children. It is rewarding and wonderful in a different. I will certainly be sewing for many more little people in the near future.

New clothes for our new school boy

Our little Owen is growing up. He started school this week and has been a champion at adjusting to the new routine and major change in his everyday life. He most certainly handled his first day far better than his mama. Let's just say it's a good thing there was no chocolate in our house, but I found an even better form of therapy to comfort my mama heart, and that would be sewing of course! I used this deep need for consolation to finally completed some clothes that I has started sewing for him some months ago, perfect timing for the new school boy. Apart from the first day (pictured below), the rest of his first week of school he was rocking his mama made clothes.

I love the Mini Hudson Pants pattern by True Bias. I made him several pairs last year for his winter wardrobe, but as a two year old he didn't care much whether his pants had pockets or not. This time though, the pockets are a winner. His first remark when he tried them on was how much he loves pants with pockets and he immediately placed his hands in the pockets, which makes him look so grown up! 

The Brindille & Twig hoodie pattern is another pattern that I have used several times, and it's free! If you sew for kids you must check out Brindille and Twig, they have really lovely patterns. 

This Sailboat Top is my favorite item that I made for him this time. I sewed a similar one earlier this year for Musa and it's always in the wash, that's how much I love it! The pattern is by Oliver and S.  The fabric I used for it was gifted to me by a friend who was one of my inspirations to start sewing. I've been able to make about four or five garments from it, and I was very sad to use the last bit of it.

This is also another free pattern by Brindille and Twig, the Ringer Tee. I've lost count of how many Ringer Tees I have made. It makes for a great basics pattern for day clothes and pyjamas. Again, if you have not tried their patterns, you are missing out! Go grab the free patterns from the website to give them a try.

There is so much I love about sewing for my children. Making these clothes for Owen in preparation for the beginning of his schooling years made this major affair all the more more special for me.