My new favorite thing to do is make boy clothes. The reason is, I love the challenge of thinking outside my natural state of mind. Just like I’ve noted in past posts about making clothes for boys, it can be tricky. Wait! As I am sitting here thinking of the next thing to write I just had a major epiphany!! Hold on, because this post is about to get a lot deeper than I intended! Okay, I’m going to tell you a story about last Christmas…. a story that will explain where my insecurities about guys clothing are rooted…here I go.
If you were a follower or an anonymous reader of my blog during Christmas time 2009 you may recall I handmade all my gifts with the exception of a couple gifts that supported my local community ( I know, aren’t I great). Anyways, I thought I was so cool, and on top of everything because I gave myself 3 weeks to get 7 pairs of pj’s, 5 clutch purses, a quilt for my brother, a minky blanket for my dad, and (DHuu) a dress for myself done. Let’s just say, come 8:00pm on Christmas eve I was still at Maisonnette sewing my butt off! My fantasy of everyone waking up Christmas morning, opening their handmade xmas pajamas and showering me with love and happiness came true…for the most part! The other part that wasn’t so fantastical was me CRYING on Christmas morning for the first time in my life, when my dad wouldn’t wear the pajama pants I made him! Apparently I had a stressed out Christmas brain fart when I choose the fabric for my dad that had dresses and diamond rings all over it!??!?! He could have spared himself from the female water works by simply putting them on and keeping his mouth shut….but then again what are dads for? To give you a glossed over plastic sense of reality? Nope, not my dad! So thanks dad, thanks for teaching me those life lessons…I will never again made a guy pajamas with anything less than macho manly fabric.
This shirt was a ton of fun to make! I love adding subtle details with contrasting fabric…and how cool is that tree/wood grain fabric by Tina Givens?! The pattern is Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt. It’s a great pattern! Try it, you’ll love it!! 
This is the short sleeve version of the Sketchbook Shirt
XOXO Madeline
http://www.maisonnetteoceanside.com/
I know what you mean. I have been endlessly sewing for our bitty granddaughter, and it is SEW much fun. Ruffles, bows….love it all. Now we have the joyous news of a grandson coming in January. The parents are a bit picky, and I feel the sewing challenge of wanting to create, but worried that I might waste my efforts!!! The shirt looks perfect….and maybe I can wrap my mind around HOW to match pattern and that laid back surfer look that seems to be what the kids will like for their Donovan. Wish me luck…and thanks for the online lesson!!!!
I love the fabric! I've been sewing for our soon to be born baby boy and yes, it is so much harder than for the girl. I have made a few things that, after they have been finished, ended up looking a bit girly. I made a lovely patchwork sleepsack from some Anna Maria Horner Little Folks (blues and yellows) that looks decidedly floral. It's beautiful though, so darnit, he's going in it!
Ha! I can totally picture the scene with you and your dad : ) My mom always had a lot harder time making things for my brothers than for me. But then, I didn't mind. She had more time to sew me cute dresses : )
Anne: we have just the ticket for you at Maisonnette! Your sewing efforts will not be in vain with our modern boy fabrics and patterns! How exciting to have a little boy in the family!
Cathy: congradulations! I would love to see your sleeping sack! I made one too from Anna Marias book and I'll blog about it soon .
Brooke: I think I've heard about their matching sailor outfits! How cute! : )