New pyjamas for Olivia

She asked me to make her new pretty pyjamas! That is music to the ears of a sewing mama. I love that she loves and appreciates the clothes I sew for her, even more so when she asks for them.

I joke that I am such a "wanna-be-minimalist". In my efforts to declutter our home and live by the "less is more" motto, I decided to cut down on my sewing list for my kids' winter wardrobes, so I've been sewing clothes for my older two as the need arises. Olivia's pyjamas are currently too small, or too worn out so she really needed more sleepwear. In fact she was still wearing some pj's I made for her more than two years ago when I started sewing. I love it when they get a lot of wear from mama made clothes.

I used Heidi and Finn's "All You Need Pajama Pattern". The pattern is packed with options for both boys' and girls' pj's for all seasons. I have gotten more than my money's worth from this pattern. It is my go-to pattern for kids' sleepwear. In fact, there is no reason not to use it for day wear as well. I especially love the "girly" feel of the gathered top, it could definitely work as a day time top. 

I made this doll for her as a Christmas gift last year and she's wearing a cardigan that I crocheted for Olivia when I was pregnant with her. She adores this doll, it has a special spot on her bed and every morning when she makes up her bed, she places it perfectly in its spot. Did I already mention how much I love creating things for my children?! The doll pattern is also by Heidi and Finn.

I asked her which pyjama set she likes more and she responded, "Both, because you made them." Later , however, she said, "I actually like the butterfly ones more and can you please also make me Frozen ones with Elsa and Anna that zip up at the front."

Spring/Summer wardrobe for Olivia

Boom! It feels so good to not only reach a goal, but smash it! One of my dreams when I started sewing two and a half years ago was that I would reach a stage where most of my children's clothes are made by me. This year I set out to achieve this with Olivia's wardrobe, with a reasonable goal of fifty percent store bought and fifty percent mama made. After an audit of her clothes I am so proud to say that, apart from a few irresistible deals at some of my favorite stores, I have bought very few clothes for her and have made more than eighty percent of her clothes this year.

I started working on her Spring/Summer wardrobes a few months ago. I would start a garment when feeling inspired, leave it incomplete, and then start a new one - and before I knew it I had more than ten pieces needing finishing touches. I enjoyed making every single item, and with each one I either learned a new skill or improved one I already had. I was so enthralled with this project that I even made one of the dresses between contractions the day I went into labour and gave birth…surely one of the best distractions ever!

I love making these clothes for Olivia - not only because of the finished product, but also the funny discussions and disagreements we've had when choosing fabric and designs. It took many such chats, not to mention a little bribing, to convince this little miss that not every item of clothing should be pink with a twirly skirt and flutter sleeves...or "pretty shoulder wings" as she calls them!

The photo shoot left us both exhausted hence the funny faces and out of focus and unedited pictures! She's a trooper this girl of mine, so are her little brothers who had be patient for a while!

Autumn/Winter wardrobe for Olivia

When signs of cooling began showing a few weeks ago, indicating the beautiful season of Autumn, my dear daughter confidently announced that "just because it's getting cold, it doesn't mean I'm going to wear pants...I will be wearing dresses and skirts with leggings." I of course was more than delighted by her indirect request for mama to sew warm dresses for her. I love that she knows what she likes, and it brings joy to my heart that she appreciates mama-made clothing! I've been told by many a sewing mom to enjoy this stage while it lasts, as there comes a stage when it is just not cool to have your mom make your clothes.  I hope that stage never comes for us, but regardless I am indeed thoroughly enjoying sewing for her now.

Pattern: Japanese sewing book

Pattern: Self drafted

The more I explore the art of sewing, the more curious I am about how and where store-bought clothes are made. How on earth can they afford to charge such low prices and still make a profit? Could it be perhaps that they use cheap materials? I am fine with that and will gladly buy cheap items as long as I am not deceived into thinking it's good quality. Yet what I increasingly struggle with is the thought that cheap labour may be the primary culprit in cutting mass production costs. 

Sewing has become deeply personal for me, and so it concerns me to think that in some unidentified place, someone was paid below minimum wage to produce the clothes I wear. Of course I can try my best to be conscious about purchases and consumption, but I can never really know where all of my "stuff" originates.  Accordingly I am not deceived that the fabric I buy from my favorite shop is produced ethically. 

So these are the kinds of thoughts that go through my mind sometimes at 1 AM, when I've been sewing for hours and can barely thread my machine!

On a lighter note, back to my girl and her love for clothes. She loves nearly every item I have made for her, with the exception of the cream blouse. To this she commented, "I don't think I like this top a lot mama." But that's okay, her reaction to all the other garments was filled with joy: "This is amazing Mama", "You are amazing Mama", "I can't wait to wear this to school." Bless, bless, bless her beautiful heart, which makes mine melt in such moments!

Top pattern: Heidi and Finn Pumpkin tunic

Leggings pattern: Peekaboo Lollypop leggings

Pattern: Self drafted

Back to Autumn musings again...Amid such moments are the amazing (and admittedly frustrating!) experiences of watching little ones grow in their independence and expression of their personalities. From preparing her own breakfast and snacks to choosing her own clothes, more and more our girl is exercising independence. Of course I can do everything much faster without her help, but I am learning that this stage is an integral part of her development. It is teaching me about the power of "yes". So often as parents we are too quick to say no..."No! you may not wear that, "No! You may not stay up late", "No, I will not read an extra book." Lately, I have been thinking about all my "NO's", when they are really necessary or when I am merely exercising my authority as the parent without even thinking about my child's request. 

I could have easily ignored Olivia's request for winter dresses and skirts and insisted that she wear tracksuit pants, because I am the parent and I choose her clothes...but truly what would I have gained from that? Perhaps, a sense of satisfaction that I am in control and that my kids do not rule the home? In this instance, I would rather enjoy the benefits of saying yes and have a child who is delighted in her wardrobe, which she has had so much involvement in creating. And who knows, we might even enjoy battle-free mornings in deciding what to wear, if there is such a thing! Being deliberate about saying yes and looking for opportunities to do so does not mean no boundaries. "No, I will not buy you all Disney themed clothing", "No, we will not have ice-cream from the corner shop today", "No, you may not watch an extra episode of Dora." 

I suppose it is a tension in all aspects of life, this search for balance… Much like trying to balance my desire to sew at odd hours of the night and my body's desperate desire for more sleep!!!

Pattern: Townmouse Creations Norah dress 

Pattern: Townmouse Creations Norah dress

Pattern: Peekaboo Gloria dress

Pattern: Townmouse Creations Norah dress