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.

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."