New duds for all

Pants are too short and shirt fronts are speckled in stains- that means one of two things. Either I'm going to be spending some quality time with my friend Husqy or I'm heading to Target. I truly do enjoy sewing, especially for my kids, but at these times I usually opt for the later. Because who can pass up $4 shirts and pants in cute coordinating colors? Not I.

However, I have been convicted recently about my quick trips to the Bullseye (and other department stores) and what that means on a more global and ethical perspective. What may be saving me an hour of time may support something that I am morally opposed to. I'm not going to get into the politics and such of fair labor rights and wages, let's just say that I am concerned about the sweatshop situation and I try often to take care when I make a purchase. I'm not a saint nor am I rich, therefore I don't always make the best purchasing choices, but I'm trying to make it more of a priority. After learning about the history of and process of making chocolate, Willow and I have decided to buy only fairly traded chocolate when available.

As an intro activity to our China unit study, I had Willow read labels on clothing to see where they were manufactured. I was reminded of how much of our clothing comes from the Asian region. My heart sank as I thought about articles I had read in the past regarding labor rights, sweatshops, and clothing manufacturers. And I felt the urge to make a change.

With all that said, from now on instead of running to Target, I'm going to do my best to make the kids' clothes. I'm sure there will be an occasional Target purchase (socks, undies, tights come to mind) and garage sale find, and of course awesome hand me downs.

I'm blessed with totes of fabric and patterns given to me from relatives, and a well stocked basket ( i.e. overflowing mess) of items to be repurposed. I also have a huge basket of notions a friend found on the side of the road and donated to my collection. So, I'm all set in that department.

Willow's Easter dress is done, some retro skinnies and a fun bowling-style shirt are in the works for Cedar. All I've had to buy so far is a package of interfacing and white thread. I'm rolling up my sleeves, heating up the iron and spending some quality time with my friend Husqy.

Love is in the air

Most people go crazy for Christmas. I do love the lights, the gift giving and making, the food, and the general jolly-ness of the Christmas season. But V-day has my heart. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Valentine's day and look forward to it all year. I have no idea why. But I remember being in elementary school saving up quarters for weeks in advance in order to bless my friends with a cookie from the cafeteria on Valentine's day. My love for it went up a notch when I accepted the surname of Hart. Come on, it just fit. No wonder I always loved the Hallmark holiday loathed by so many.

January 3rd Christmas decorations went down to the basement. By 7:30 a.m. on January 4th (I have children who rise literally at the crack of dawn) our living room looked like it ate a box of conversation hearts and threw up.

Because Willow, and I to be honest, is/are never satisfied with the amount of decorations we have. . . we set to work. She thought it was very important that she and Cedar have Valentine's day pillow cases. Down to the basement we went, and up we came with some white fabric and some V-day themed scraps (thanks Aunt Jean!). After swiping a potato and some fabric paint from the art cupboard we were in the business of making new pillow covers.

I carved a heart in a potato.

Willow stamped both her and Cedar's material by dipping said stamp into red fabric paint.

They dried, then we ironed them.

I sewed three edges and added some festive heart adorned trim. . . wha-lah. . . new pillow cases.

Which also moonlight as sleepingbags for Barbie, Ken and their beach lovin', High School Musical singing friends.

Oh, hearts and love and red! Make me oh so happy!

Handmade Christmas

As I had mentioned before we didn't have as much of a homemade Christmas as we normally do, but before I start sharing posts on valentine's day crafts I thought I'd share a few things that did come from my hands and not a store.

First up, silhouette pillows of Willow, Cedar and their cousins for my parents. Despite a few moments of almost losing it, I enjoyed making them. Their were many steps involved which is not typical of a project for me. I tend to have a short attention when it comes to projects, preferring instant gratification over attention to detail and the need for patience. I used this tutorial. I have made several thing's from Jill's website and love all of them. I think this hoodie may need to be next for the little man.

This pattern was very clear and easy to follow. I added a hand embroidered initial under each silhouette. I may even make some for us. Wait, actually making something for me? What is the world coming to? I have made precisely two things for myself in the past and I think it's about time for that to change. Plus, I'm currently loving any opportunity to display silhouettes. Fun, classy, and they just plain make me happy.

Next up, ugly monsters. I had been wanting to make them for a while. They were intended for my niece and nephew but two little munchkins I know claimed them as their own. They made a good fit, suiting each of their personalities perfectly. The best part about them is that I didn't buy one thing to make them. I had the itch to make them, gathered materials that were literally laying around my sewing area, and an hour later they were stuffed and were on the receiving end of sticky hugs.

I'm hoping there will be more handmades to share following next Christmas!

New Duds

Cedar has a crazy teeny tiny little waste but a huge 'ol rear end due to his cloth diapers. It's nearly impossible to find pants to fit him. Which turned out to make this mama very happy because what else are you going to make for a boy? I spent so much time sewing Willow birthday and easter dresses, everyday dresses and skirts and the occasionally dolly accessory. I lamented over one thing and one thing only when we found out we were having a boy: no more itty bitty made-by-mama dresses *tear*. But enter tiny but Cedar and we're in business! Pants!

In the past I've just traced some of his old pants and wha-lah! Wait. Too small, need room for the. . . . big butt! Surprisingly enough, I used the Big Butt Baby Pants pattern by Rae at Made By Rae. It was super easy to follow and contrary to what Daddy Oak thinks, they do NOT look like clown pants. Thank you very much.

Next I made a shirt to match out of one of my old shirts and a way too small t-shirt. I used Dana's tutorial and think I started an addiction. I sewed the envelope part a little too tight, so I need to cool it next time.

Now to tear apart more curtains and t-shirts! and to give that boy a haircut!