The Limon Top and Brindille and Twig Bloomers

Next week Hazel will be 10 months old.  Of course, I reflect on how quickly the time flies with a baby in the house.  But I've also found myself wondering how I've let almost an entire year pass without doing much baby sewing.  It's such a unique and short time and part of me wishes I would have done more sewing for her this year.

There's so much inspiration on social media and it makes me want to do all the things.  I want to sew more baby clothes.  I want to sew more tshirts for Jude.

Did you guys see #MeMadeMay on Instagram?  Inder's feed was epic.  Her me mades + beer photos were so awesome.  Carolyn, Cherie, and Jane also had such incredible self mades!  I often found myself daydreaming about all of the things I'd love to sew for myself.  I imagined how cool it'd be to have a mostly handmade wardrobe.  Me Made May was so inspiring!

Then there are all the non-sewing things I'd love to do, too.  Like canning and pickling.  I'd love to learn Spanish well.  I'd love to exercise more.

Last week I saw a quote on Instagram (or was it Pinterest? - I'm sorry, I love to give credit where credit is due but I just can't remember where I saw it).  It went something like, "My kids are getting in the way of me being the kind of mom I want to be."

I laughed because well, it's funny, but also ironic.  It's easy to start to feel that there are all these things we should be doing to be the best mom we can be or to be the best person we can be.  It can feel like we're not doing enough.  There's always more-more-more that we could be doing.

I read somewhere last week (sorry, can't remember where... again!) - "Don't should on yourself!"  I love that.

Right now, in this season of my life, I have all my chicks in my nest.  And I love this time.  My kids are all at such great ages, such innocent ages.  I don't take that for granted.

In this season, I connect with Jude by doing read alouds with him.  We have long conversations.  I listen to him play the piano.  We go on walks together.  And that trumps sewing his tshirts.

I'd love to make Hazel's baby clothes.  I haven't done a lot of that... but have spent many, many hours rocking and nursing and cuddling her.

In these moments, there isn't really a tangible finished product like there is with sewing.  And I like that finished product.  The days that require the most of me, the ones where I am giving the most physically and emotionally to my children, are the days when it feels like I've gotten nothing done.

 

But I remind myself that these moments add up.  Maybe it's even the small moments that matter most.

I know there will be another season in my life where I will have time to make my own clothes, to can produce, to quilt or learn a second language well.  There will be a time where my days won't be filled to the brim, often without any margin.  I do not wish these present days away.  No, not at all.  I love them so.  But I like knowing this is out there, too.

   

While I wait, I love being inspired by so many of you who have so many diverse and incredible talents.  I appreciate the inspiration and enjoy living vicariously through you.  It brings me so much joy to see women living life so passionately.

And of course, no one person is doing all the things.  We all have to prioritize the projects that bring us the most joy, the ones we find most fulfilling.  Since I don't sew for Hazel often, I'm glad that when I do, I can make something I really, really love.   Like this Limon top, a top and dress pattern by Charming Doodle.

 

I got this pattern as part of the Willow and Co pattern tour.  I wanted to make both this top and the Antalya dress but knew I couldn't swing making both in the same week. Willow and Co was cool with me making it later and I was grateful.

 

I paired the top with these Brindille and Twig bloomers, which I also made here.  This time I added an inch to the rise and went down a size in width to make them less bloomy.  I was really happy with the outcome.

 

 Here's a photo of the whole outfit since my baby is such a wiggle worm!

I finished the back like the O+S roller skate dress rather than adding a front placket.  I didn't want to disrupt those front pintucks that I love so much.  I also shortened the front pleat stitching to around 3 inches in length instead of 6.

 

The top is too big on Hazel right now but she is a little peanut!  She is such a little love.  Recently she started reaching out for me with her arms, she says, "uh-oh" and during these photos she started clapping for the first time!  Yes, while I was taking the photos!

 

If Dan tries to take her from me when she's done nursing, she darts back in to nurse - a tactic all of my nursing babies have mastered!

Hazel is so loved by all of us and never lacks attention.  When the kids go outside to play, she stands at the window and watches them.  She bangs on the window and they wave back at her.  It's pretty much the sweetest thing ever.

 I sewed up this combo in double gauze from the Gnats Shop.  Isn't Rachael from Imagine Gnats the best?  I just love her.  She's so down to earth and real.  And her fabric is tops.  I got this fabric during one of her sales at such a great price.   I lined it with some of her voile which felt more gauzy than silky  and gave this outfit the airy feel I was hoping for.  Just right for summer!