Laowai

I’ve finally used one of the oliver + s patterns that Brian got for me. This is the 2+2 Blouse and I really enjoyed the pattern. All the good comments I’ve heard about oliver + s patterns were true. It was easy to follow and I felt like I was having a sewing lesson while I put the shirt together. I also felt the way the pattern was designed was more creative and clever than other patterns I’ve used from the big name pattern makers. It’s almost as if those big name pattern makers have been using the same patterns for the last 50 years and they are just getting more and more watered down without any improvements or thoughtfulness going into them.

All that said – I am feeling grumpy because I’ve just made a nice little shirt that will probably never be worn. Bea hangs out and plays with buttons or pushes her cars around the floor while I sew lately. That’s nice. But when I told her I was making a shirt for her she said “I don’t like it”. Aaargh! She is so opinionated lately. I know she just wants some control over part of her life, but still, it drives me nuts. There are only about 3 things in her nice wardrobe that she ever wants to put on. It’s a major struggle when it happens to be chilly outside and I insist that she wear pants. I guess I should have her choose some fabric for the next thing I make for her. I just get so tired of the bright sugary pink that she is drawn to. Where does that pink obsession come from? 

So here’s the shirt – it still has markings on it and it needs buttons down the back. I think it would be great with some little jean shorts this summer. It’s made from some inexpensive fabric that I found in the remnants section at Vogue Fabrics back in Evanston. I miss that big grungy store – but we might go over to the next town this afternoon to check out a fabric store that I found online. I need some flannel to match some fabric I have for a baby blanket. Maybe I should just give up on sewing for Bea for the moment and make some stuff for my next baby while she has no opinions.