Phin's birthday was on Saturday; happy birthday, my sweet!
I've been thinking about sewing for Phineas lately, but more broadly on sewing for one's significant other. It's something we all mean to do and want to do, but, um, rarely do. I'm no exception. It just seems like Phin and I can't get ourselves together when it comes to the details. I've offered shirts, but he can't seem to decide on fabric. I've asked about a messenger bag, but his fabric request was so specific (traffic cone orange ballistic nylon) that I haven't been able to find anything like it. In fact, it always seems to come down to a fabric impasse. I don't have this problem with other people in my life that I sew for.
That said, in the entire history of my sewing, the most worn garment that I've created is actually the pj bottoms that I made for Phin 4 years ago. No contest. They're worn, washed and then worn again. They replaced a pair of RTW pj's I had given him years before that. When the RTW ones started to get holes, I un-sewed them carefully and used the pieces to create a pattern, which I still have.
I've noticed signs of wear and tear on these much worn pajama bottoms recently. So, for his birthday, I took all decision out of his hands and bought two different fabrics from Rosen & Chadick to make more for him. I'm sure that a box of fabric, thread and the pj pattern is one of the more unusual gifts Phin's ever received.
Rosen & Chadick is the place to go for spoiling the man in your life (read: real fabric splurge). These 100% imported cottons feel like silk. The blue is a heavier weight and will be winter pjs, and the green is summer weight with a lovely airy feel. Phineas seemed pretty thrilled for more custom pj's and has already asked for a few minor changes to the originals, like larger pocket openings. I can't wait to sew them up for him since everything I've ever made for him has become the most worn, most used things in his wardrobe. I think perhaps not giving him a choice in fabric was the way to go so that I could actually get going on the project.
Anyway, do you sew for the special person in your life? If not, what holds you back? Is it time or differences in opinion? A lack of agreement on fabric? Purely selfish sewing? Or something else? I wonder if I have an easier time sewing for people that I don't live with because they have less input simply because of proximity. What do you think?
Later this week: My (late) Oonapalooza dress. Stay tuned!
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| Phineas on our Amsterdam Trip in May |
I've been thinking about sewing for Phineas lately, but more broadly on sewing for one's significant other. It's something we all mean to do and want to do, but, um, rarely do. I'm no exception. It just seems like Phin and I can't get ourselves together when it comes to the details. I've offered shirts, but he can't seem to decide on fabric. I've asked about a messenger bag, but his fabric request was so specific (traffic cone orange ballistic nylon) that I haven't been able to find anything like it. In fact, it always seems to come down to a fabric impasse. I don't have this problem with other people in my life that I sew for.
That said, in the entire history of my sewing, the most worn garment that I've created is actually the pj bottoms that I made for Phin 4 years ago. No contest. They're worn, washed and then worn again. They replaced a pair of RTW pj's I had given him years before that. When the RTW ones started to get holes, I un-sewed them carefully and used the pieces to create a pattern, which I still have.
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| Phin's favorite pajama bottoms |
I've noticed signs of wear and tear on these much worn pajama bottoms recently. So, for his birthday, I took all decision out of his hands and bought two different fabrics from Rosen & Chadick to make more for him. I'm sure that a box of fabric, thread and the pj pattern is one of the more unusual gifts Phin's ever received.
 |
| Fabric for Phin! |
Rosen & Chadick is the place to go for spoiling the man in your life (read: real fabric splurge). These 100% imported cottons feel like silk. The blue is a heavier weight and will be winter pjs, and the green is summer weight with a lovely airy feel. Phineas seemed pretty thrilled for more custom pj's and has already asked for a few minor changes to the originals, like larger pocket openings. I can't wait to sew them up for him since everything I've ever made for him has become the most worn, most used things in his wardrobe. I think perhaps not giving him a choice in fabric was the way to go so that I could actually get going on the project.
Anyway, do you sew for the special person in your life? If not, what holds you back? Is it time or differences in opinion? A lack of agreement on fabric? Purely selfish sewing? Or something else? I wonder if I have an easier time sewing for people that I don't live with because they have less input simply because of proximity. What do you think?
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| Dragon, Milkshake and Sriracha enjoying a nap |
Later this week: My (late) Oonapalooza dress. Stay tuned!
22 comments:
I used to sew a lot for Darling Daughter, then she grew up. She grew up into a very curvaceous woman, so I do a fair bit of alterations for her, not so much sewing from scratch. She's taking up the craft for herself, but since she lives in another town, I am rarely able to act as teacher. Himself eschews "homemade" clothes because his mother taught her boys that handmade is always cheap and nasty. In thirty-two years of marriage I have not been able either to break him of this view or induce him to vote for my preferred political party. He has other redeeming qualities.
Love LinB's comments! I am a selfish sewist. I am so excited about sewing my own clothes! I know my husband would be OK with a make - but he will not wear it if it doesn't quite work and that will break my heart. I have refashioned garments for my daughters (14 and 18) and have made sleepwear for them. Especially my older daughter would like me to sew something for her but she is away at school and away all summer and it is pretty hard to discuss sewing projects…One day!
Phin and I "accept" each other's voting habits. ;-)
Wow! MrLinB misses out. Not that Phin had preconceived notions, but I think how I got him into handmade was in actually recreating to a tee his beloved pj's down to the top stitching and other finishes. That I was able to improve on them was a plus. So, he definitely has an appreciation that my sewing is even better than RTW.
Yeah, I love sewing for myself too (as I am wearing a hot-off-the-sewing-machine dress today). I think the reason that I always feel like I should do more for Phineas is that he does truly appreciate and wear everything I've made him. So, I get exactly the kind of feedback and encouragement that predisposes me to want to sew for him more.
My 16 yo niece has asked a few times for me to sew her something, but the distance is tough - I wouldn't have her around for fitting or discussing the project.
Sporadically I sew for my guy and lounge shorts and pjs are is favorites. Like your guy, my guy had specific requests. I had to incorporate button fly front and pockets, since I refused to dig around for a pattern with those features. Thinking the reason for not sewing more often is pure selfishness...lol
Ha! Yeah, it's hard to sew for him when I have a list of 10 things I'd like to be sewing for myself. ;-)
But it is nice to be able to customize a pattern for him - the first thing he checked was that I would be sure to keep the pockets. What is it with men and pj pockets?
Happy Birthday Phineas! My guy wears his clothes really hard and nothing lasts very long. Usually the best-spent sewing-for-him-time is altering thrift store trousers and patching. His favorite dressy clothes are me-made (a couple silk shirts that he loves and gets complimented on) and they last forever because he doesn't dress up often!
Ooh, both of these fabrics are great! I love to browse at Rosen & Chadick- so much good stuff!
Well you hit the nail on the head! I usually do more browsing than buying. Everything they have is so gorgeous. I don't find them necessarily overpriced because their quality is superb, but they really just carry the best at what the best costs.
Oooh, silk shirts - that is spoiling your guy for sure! Go you!
Yeah, Phin tends to wear clothes hard too. I highly recommend flat felled seams on anything you sew for him!
The only thing I've ever sewed for my other half was a copy of a beloved RTW fleece top that had developed holes. He wears that a lot. But he's not interested in having 'new' clothes made for him. Probably a good thing as I am never short of sewing projects! I think you have a point about the fabric. It takes a bit of practice to match available fabrics with patterns.
I tease him that his mother "was raised in a hotel" and so had very discriminating tastes. She was, actually, raised in hotels. Her father managed big resort hotels on the east coast in the 30s-40s; her mother ran the hotel kitchens and catering. The family moved up and down the coast from New Hampshire to Florida, following the seasons. Mr. LinB's granny's Brush with Greatness was to cook Chicken Country Captain for Franklin Roosevelt and his Secret Service men, one day when they stopped at the hotel on their way down to Warm Springs, Georgia. That was a pretty big Brush with Greatness.
Best wishes from an unknown person to your better half! The pyjamas sound like the perfect gift... I only sew for my boyfriend when I like to. Which is rather seldom...
Another case of selfish sewing! ;-)
That is a pretty great brush! I hope you have the recipe!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHIN!!! with love from "the drunk," who was busy celebrating her own birthday (in a style fitting her phin-given title).
Yes, but it is for 50 people. I've been too lazy to break down the quantities for a family of two.
August is a good month!
Happy Birthday to Phin!
I agree that fabric choice can be a serious stumbling block when sewing for the man in your life, good idea to give him no choice!
My husband wears scrubs to work every day, and there are NO interesting scrubs for men so I make all of his. We used to disagree about fabric choices, until he noticed the fabrics I chose garnered the most compliments, now I get my way. As it should be with all things.
Ha! Well that's a great outcome. It really takes time to figure out how to match patterns and fabric for a good outcome. So, I can't help but feel like it's not really fair to expect them to do it. But right now Phin is so pleased with the pj fabrics that he is giving me more latitude with the messenger bag fabric too - we've settled on orange canvas and something colorful and maybe striped for the lining.
Once James realized there was no limit to what I could make, he's been very enthusiastic about me sewing things for him. He really only requests mending and I'll come up with full projects on my own and if I'm not sure I'll ask him for input. But, hey, it is guy clothing, so usually I just go look at something he already owns to answer my question! I actually like making him things more than I like making things for myself because he is a breeze to fit compared to my millions of fit problems.
There is something less pressured about sewing for Phin, too.
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