So I have been away from my blog because my laptop is completely broken….after the repair by Julia, the battery refused to charge again, so I sent it away to be fixed. After the darned thing was returned by the “authorized repair center” with a new motherboard, it completely died. Again.
Now, to upload photos, I have to take my card and insert it into my old tablet (no keyboard) and upload there…attached to my hard drive by cords (feels like duct tape). The stylus input is somehow broken on my old tablet, so with no keyboard and no screen input, I have to use an external mouse to click on the on-screen keyboard for any text….
Once I finally get photos uploaded (heaven forbid I need photoshop for anything) I have the pleasure of sitting in the living room on the family pc (a jury-rigged 10 year old laptop with a broken screen, plugged into the external monitor and keyboard.)
I apologize for my absence (in case anyone noticed), but I have spent some time developing the new (4 item) boys’ line. The “Henry” shirt is almost finished. I have the pattern drafted, and tweaked, and a muslin (actually made from “muslin” fabric for once!) made.
I have some exciting plans for boys in sizes 12 mos-8 this Spring. We’ll have a roll-up version of our “Deep Pockets” pants, the brand-new jersey-lined hoodie, “Luka,” and our retro/modern “Henry” shirt.
I’ve also taken a bit of a break from pattern-making in order to make some clothes for my own kids using some patterns that I didn’t have to spend weeks adjusting!
Peter wanted a cool shirt to wear with his new suit for julia’s 18th birthday party (wow, a lot has happened, hasn’t it?) so I pulled out last Winter’s Ottobre magazine and made the “Neptune” out of some awesome “Damask Rock” fabric from michael miller. I made him a size 152 and it was a bit snug through the middle. It is a “slim-fit” shirt, but I didn’t expect it to be THAT slim. Fortunately, tucked in, and snapped it seems to fit great, and he loves it (isn’t that what’s important?)

Added a larger seam allowance at the sides for a french seam, to keep my ultra-sensitive kiddo comfortable
For a change, I tried out a Japanese Pattern I have liked for ages, but finally found the parfect (European) fabric to justify a distraction from patternmaking. It’s a Shirtdress from isbn 4579111214 “Even Children Can Be Formal” (or something)….the followup book to the popular “New York Kids’ Style” book everyone seems to own (but me) by makie.
I only adjusted construction by adding trim and changing seams allowances for enclosed seams, (you know, so my kids will actually WEAR the clothes I make). Otherwise, it’s straight from the patternbook:
If you’re still reading, thanks for sticking with me through the not-so-brief update.”
