I tend to get the urge to sew myself a couple new pieces of clothing each spring, and this year was no exception. I had grand dreams of whipping up a few new tops, but the reality is that it takes quite a bit of time, of which I find myself in short supply these days (but that’s ok, because hanging out with Max is so much fun!)

So anyway, I did get one done, and eh… it’s kind of a fail, which sucks when you’ve put in so much time (maybe this is why I like quilting so much – even really bad blocks can be used in some other project, or just picked apart and used again, while this shirt may end up just languishing in my closet! Though if I’m being completely honest, I do have several quilt tops languishing in another closet!)

(does it look better when I add a baby to the photo?!)

If I were making it again, I’d cut the neckline differently, redo the sleeve length, and probably sew in the sides to fit closer to the body (so I’d change pretty much everything!). I do like the basic shape though, which is from the Shearwater Kaftan pattern.

What was fun was sewing with my sister, though I’m not sure she felt the same way. You know when you love something and you want everyone else to love that same thing? I feel that way with sewing and often try to convince my sister to sew something when she stops by. This time I convinced her that she needed to make a tunic – and she did, though I’m thinking this might be the last thing I convince her to sew. Despite the moaning and groaning about the number of steps, and through a sewing-induced headache, which required some time outdoors (“air! I need fresh air!”), she did end up making this cute Shearwater Kaftan (one which made me wish I had just stuck to the pattern!)

But anyway, how about we end this post with a photo of some clothing successes?

Take a look at that cute sweater! It’s a gorgeous little sweater crocheted by Kate of One Flew Over. We’ve had a cool, rainy spring, so Max has been getting a lot of use out of it. I’m going to be so sad when he grows out of it! And I think it’s oh so cute when paired with these little goldfish pants, which I made using Anna Maria’s Quick Change Trouser pattern (pattern from her book, Handmade Beginnings).

Maybe I should stick to baby clothes from now on!