Gifts for little guys
* * * UPDATE: I have decided not to post the baby pants pattern after all. After scanning in the pattern I realized it represented a huge time-sink. I'm really sorry to leave some of you hanging, but it's just not going to happen anytime soon. * * *
A few weeks ago my friend Bri brought her 4 y.o. Ethan over for lunch. As I was showing her this little wristlet, Ethan pronounced it perfect for holding markers and proved it by demonstrating that it did, indeed, fit his markers perfectly. I loved that he was willing to overlook the fact that it was covered in flowers. In fact I almost made him one just like it but I had this other fabric that I thought he might like more (and would probably stand the test of time better as he inevitably gets brainwashed by gender stereotypes in school). So here's Ethan's marker case:
The fabric was purchased from Superbuzzy awhile back (see left bar for the link). I appliqued the felt "E" on by first gluing it with craft glue and then blanket stitching it by machine. It's not lined but that's probably better as the main function is holding markers.
Have you read this post on Sweet Juniper? It makes me sad when kids reach a point where they reject certain things because they are too "boy" or too "girl". But it also amazes me how uncomfortable we get if they stray too far outside their gender roles. I am fully aware that I am responsible for the gender socialization of my own baby. I just can't bring myself to put him in a dress or pink pants with ruffles. If you'd ask me, I'd tell you that boys can wear pink, yet the only pink clothing items my one year old wears are diapers.
A friend of ours has a hilarious story about sending her son to kindergarten in a dress as he threw a fit when she tried to get him to wear pants. When I've retold that story some people are horrified. Why is that? Then I ask myself what on earth would I do in that situation, and I'm just thankful we're not there yet. What would you do? Does anyone have any stories? As a new parent I'm REALLY interested in this topic.
Another recent sewing project was a couple of pairs of big butt baby pants for Loki and Leif, two babies who Elliot hangs out with who also turned one a few weeks ago:
Both of these boys wear cloth diapers like Elliot. I discovered that the classic baby pants patterns out there are not quite big enough to accommodate the cloth diaper butt, so I made up my own pattern with longer legs for my tall baby and an extra panel in the back for cloth diapers.
These pairs have pockets on the side and bias tape in contrasting colors. The size is 18 months, so hopefully they'll fit this summer or fall. I've actually scanned in the pattern, but it needs some modification (it's 7 pages long) before I'll post it. So stay tuned (as usual)!
