As my morning sickness continues to plague me even this late in the game, I have had to find some means of distraction.  Standing on my head is one of them, sewing is the other.  Both require focus, patience, and creativity.  The yoga gives me energy and strength, but it’s the sewing that sustains my life at home.

Together, the yoga and sewing have created a sort of synergy.  Some of the spoils of that synergy?: two Oliver + S Sailboat Tops.

Mira stood by the machine just waiting for it to be done so that she could get it on her body.  For her, we agreed on a fabric we both loved and went with it.  She loved her top.  End of story.

To tell the truth, though, I find it so difficult to sew cute things for Liev.  Besides the basics, which are lovely but, um, a little boring, fabric is a challenge.  Plus,it seems like American patterns for boys, to understate it, lack the hip factor.  Despite a couple of no-go’s when he was in his twos and protesting most things, he has wanted to wear the things I make him.  When he’s gotten special mama-sewn garments in the past, Liev has loved them with all his heart, requesting to wear a pair of pants every single day even when the pair of pants was in the wash pile.  It seems that I just have to get more creative–or perhaps just more European or Japanese-with my boy clothes-making.

This is Liev’s second beloved Sailboat Top, and even though I was not sure how it would go over, since there are no animals and no shades of blue (his most favorite-est) involved, he beamed when I put it on him.  Then he promptly refused to take a picture.

He zoomed off to his room as the words he trailed behind himself revealed something about needing to get his backpack.  When he returned a few minutes later, his backpack was loaded to the hilt with all of the various stuffed animals he takes care of, binoculars, stickers, and his favorite blue cape.  At that point he let me know that he would take a picture now with, he specified, his backpack.  So, if his top looks a little wonky, please ignore that one sleeve looks about five inches too short and appreciate the full effect.  A boy.  A mushroom shirt made with love.  A backpack filled with love.  A little moment before he zoomed off once more.

Back to my machine I will go for at least a few more weeks.  The other things that have come out of this prolific streak will hopefully get shared here as well.  The TYM pre-baby sweatshop is in full force while the nausea rages.