Wear BLUE! April 2013 - Child Abuse Prevention Month

Wear BLUE today and show your support!

Learn more here.

Pattern Review - Butterick 3318 Gown

It's that time of year where I start stitching up warm PJs for my bunch. Two of my girls really like to wear gowns, so I decided I'd make them a few. I had so much fun with these that I actually got a bit carried away! :)

I've used the Gown Pattern E from Butterick 3318 with a few small modifications and the result is the perfect gown for my Lil' Bit!

She is currently head over heels for Toy Story, and I just happened across some remaining flannel with good friends Buzz & Woody printed on it, from some PJs I made my boys. If you follow on facebook, you probably remember seeing me share this one already. This is her absolute FAVORITE!!! And she even got a matching pillowcase making for 1 very happy little girl! 

The pattern calls for velcro at the shoulder seams. Velcro can be kind of scratchy, something we certainly don't want, especially for bedtime clothing....so....I made some adjustments. I sewed the shoulder seams and then cut a slit in the center back of the gown about 5-6" in length. Folded the raw edges in 1/4" and ironed, then again, and stitched in place making for a nice finished seam. I added a snap for the closure. The gown is still easy to get on and off without any concern of velcro irritation.

 The gowns were all trimmed around the collar and hemline with either Extra-Wide Double Fold Bias Tape or a plush Fold-Over Elastic in coordinating colors.

Here are a couple of other flannel prints....Big Sissy has matching gowns for these I'll share soon. 

 And last but not least, this one made from a super soft and cozy Hello Kitty microfleece and trimmed with the sweetest "Princess Crown" print Fold-Over Elastic and finished with a Night Owl's Menagerie label. 

SUMMARY

Sewing Experience Level: Confident Beginner

Size Range: 2-5 Years

Special Techniques: Attaching sleeves and bias trim.

Pattern Format: Paper

Materials Used: Flannel, Fleece, Bias Tape, Fold-Over Elastic, Snaps.

Personal Notes: With the modifications listed, this is now one of my favorite PJ patterns to sew! It fits great and my Lil' Bit loves wearing each of the ones I've made her. I'm sure to use it again when she sizes up.

Give Hope - Foster Siblings

If there is one group that gets consistently and abundantly overlooked, it's the children of foster families. The biological or adopted children already a part of the home. 

This REALLY, REALLY, REALLY bothers me.

I've actually been racking my brain for ideas of how we could serve these specific children in very special ways, the children who assume the role of "foster siblings" and I would welcome any suggestions you may have!

While not only overlooked, these children sacrifice so much.

They sacrifice their parents time and attention.

They share their rooms...their toys....their clothing.

They see and hear things that they NEVER would have had they not been part of a foster family.

Sometimes they are forced to "grow up" a bit faster or face the often harsh realities of life at an age that may be too tender to understand. 

Sometimes there are no answers to comfort their concerns.

They can sometimes be confused about the hows and whys of the foster system and even become afraid of the possibility of being taken away from their family.

They love unconditionally.

They learn compassion on levels that many adults may never obtain.

They see things clearly for what they are. 

They allow themselves to maintain HOPE always.

They are a friend.

These children are a breath of fresh air and frankly, I am beyond proud and undeserving to be Mama to several of them. 

While I could make a list of material "rewards" to shower on them, if I was asked what would have been most meaningful to my children during some of our most challenging moments as a foster family, they would all have chosen time with their daddy and I. Special "dates" where one of us would take one of the children somewhere special for some undivided attention. Something as simple as a visit to the ice cream shop or a movie or when one really needed some soaking time, an all day adventure to the local theme park. It was always remarkable the impact these times could have on our attitudes and ongoing function as a team. So, while I'm not sure how best to cultivate such, perhaps just as I mentioned yesterday, providing childcare for the other children in the home to allow for this type of getaway on a regular basis might be the greatest way to show support. I suppose tickets to a special event they could attend together might also be a fun contribution.

Either way, I think what is important is that these children also be made aware of their worth and importance. That they be reminded that their sacrifices are not unseen and that what they are doing truly does make a difference. I had a beautiful friend remind me of this during a very difficult time for our family and getting to share that message with my children was a healing encouragement to us all. 

Sometimes, often times, it is the simplest things that have the most significant meaning and lasting impact. The simplest gestures that truly "Give Hope".

"Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do so little." - Edmund Burke

Give Hope - Foster Care & the Children

This is kind of a heavy topic for me. 

I want to be real, but I also want to remain hopeful.....so bear with me. I'm going to attempt to take a more factual approach, but not without the reality of some of the emotions surrounding the situation.

According to the most current statistics, there are well over 400,00 children in the US Foster Care System. Children come into foster care for a variety of complex reasons, with the most common being some form of neglect or abuse. Many come from situations surrounded by alcohol and drug addiction. But regardless of the circumstances that bring a child into state custody, and regardless of their age, they are often experiencing an overwhelming flood of emotions that can include confusion, instability, fear, blame, regret, depression and anger. 

Imagine for a moment a toddler removed from the only environment he/she has ever known.

Imagine a school aged child who went to school as usual that day, but was picked up by a caseworker.

Imagine a teen that was trying to get away from it all and is possibly even pregnant herself. 

These are very difficult things to think about.

I'm sure you are like me in the fact that you want to believe the children you encounter in your daily lives or even pass in the aisles at the grocery store are all being raised in loving homes where all their basic needs are provided for.  Sadly, this is not always true. Even in our own "back yards". 

In most cases, the primary goal for children in foster care is reunification with their birth family or extended family if a safe environment can be established. This means that these children are most often not currently available for adoption and can live months and sadly, sometimes years in limbo awaiting the decisions of others.

Certainly a situation where a child needs every measure of HOPE possible.

One group within the foster system that offers support specifically to the child is CASA. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, and basically is what it states, an advocate assigned to the child by the court. CASA volunteers provide a voice for the child in a system where they can otherwise easily get lost. CASA volunteers are there to help protect a child's rights. CASA is an extremely valuable resource for a child in foster care. CASA volunteers can provide a safe, reliable, caring adult for a child that could really use some stability and unconditional love. 

Learn more about National CASA here.

For the next 2 weeks I am going to provide a variety of suggestions for how you and your family can Give Hope to children in foster care. Many of the suggestions will be items you can of course sew yourself, while others will be for items you may already have on hand or regularly purchase that you can simply pick up an extra to share.

 

My hope is that many of you will seek out your local DCS (Department of Children's Services), DHS (Department of Human Services), CASA programs or even call your local Juvenile Court to find out where you can deliver your donations for children in foster care within your own communities. How wonderful it would be for you to make a connection this month that would allow for ongoing support of these precious children! (and save the $$$ of shipping!!!) :) :) :)

Otherwise, I will gladly accept any donations you'd like to send our way and we will include them with what we will be delivering to our local DCS office at the end of the month.

Thank you for allowing me to share this with you.

Thank you for caring.

Thank you for making a difference. 

Kristy

A Softie Stampede!

 When I saw the free tutorial for these adorable stuffed elephants posted over at Riley Blake, babe was sitting with me. She immediately began jabbering all about that elephant and making her insanely cute elephant sounds. Just call it motherly instinct, but I knew I was going to be sewing an elephant very, very soon. ;) 

And so became babe's newest friend who will find her way under the tree to be discovered and enjoyed.

I chose buttons eyes and of course had to add the perfect lil' tag to finish her off!

She was so cute and so easy that I made a few extra in neutral prints for a friend to distribute with other toys at our local homeless shelter. I hope there is another little boy or girl that is just as delighted to have a new little friend to love and cuddle.

 My favorite part are those EARS!!!!

A few remnants of fabric, the free pattern and a little sewing time and you've got yourself your own too cute Pachyderm Plushie! Sorry I just couldn't help myself! ;)

Happy sewing and stuffing!

Contest to support Dress A Girl!

Check out this fun contest over at Sew Delightful to support Dress a Girl Around the World!

Entries being accepted through October 15th!
A fun way to support a great outreach!

source

Every stitch matters!!!

Embroidered Treasures for Children

I lucked across this true Treasure of a book at my local used bookstore and just had to share.

 The cover images alone had me convinced! 

Look at these darling shoes....

And with my own lil' pirate in the home, I knew this little friend was a must to create as well.

There's a whole collection of his hooligan, piratey finger puppet friends to go along with him too. :)

And for the girls...

I thought this little purse was just darling!

And these vintage inspired cuties...

I didn't even see them until I got to the car and was thumbing through, and I think they may be my favorite project of all. 

There are loads of other stitching delights too, including plushies and embroidery designs from fairies and flowers to sailboats and sharks, something sure to please each of the littles in my home. Aside from all this loveliness, the book retails for $19.95 and I got it for $1.50!!! I know! I was thrilled!!!! And it's in like new condition. Can't beat it!

Hand-stitching was my first love of needle and thread, but something I haven't done much of recently. Perhaps this little treasure of a book will change that!