Flannel nightgowns and kissing hands

Back in November or so, when it was really cold, I promised the girls I'd sew them flannel nightgowns. Now that it's April, and still cold at night but not November cold, I finally got it done.

One for Magpie ... (Photo by Bo:)

 
 And one for Bo:

Of course, she tested the twirl factor right away. And, yes, that left sleeve is bigger than the right. I've never been a perfectionist.

I started making the nightgowns following Butterick 6659, but please. The instructions for the sleeves and other trim details were ridiculous, so I only used the pattern for the main shape of the dresses.

And still they came out too big, so I tucked the fabric under a bit and sewed little darts, attempting to channel this dress by Spokane kids' clothes maker Chris Mark. (Check out more of Chris' cute stuff in her Etsy shop.)

 

Bo had picked out the fabric--Amy Butler Tumble Roses flannel in pink from her Love line--at Buttercuppity the other day.

The girls are pleased as peaches with their nighties. I don't have the heart to tell them the forecast calls for 70+ degrees this week.

Do you all know that book, The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn? Our school district included it in Bo's kindergarten registration packet. It's about a little raccoon named Chester who's afraid to go to the first day of school, so his mom kisses his hand and tells him that whenever he's feeling unsure, he should just put the "kissing hand" to his cheek and he'll feel his mama's love. I'm going to spoil the ending for you, but basically Chester decides that his mom needs a kissing hand, too. Yeah, I didn't quite make it through without my voice cracking the first time.

Even though the book was meant for Bo, Magpie has taken quite a liking to it. She's been carrying it around the house all week and kissing my hand in the sweetest, most I've-completely-forgotten-about-that-temper-tantrum-you-threw-20-minutes-ago way.

The last page of the book shows you how to say "I love you" in sign language. Here's Magpie attempting it on my lap this morning:

I've heard people say that "the days are long but the years are short" when you have young kids. Sometimes that phrase gets me through a rough moment. This morning could have stretched out a little longer, though. I wouldn't have minded at all.

Comments

[katrinia olvera]

What a lovely story. I will look for that pattern next time I go to town and have my little one pick her fabric. Thank you for this blog. I really enjoyed it.

[Kelly]

love the nightgowns.

and sounds like a great book to check out, thanks!

[Apryl]

wow. 'the days are long but the years are short' so true. granted....i haven't made it quite a year yet...only 3 1/2 more weeks then it'll be one year...but this last 11 mo. have flown by...;) cute post.

[Tracey]

That's my new favorite quote, Megan. "The days are long but the years are short"..... so, so true. Adorable nighties!

[Angie]

They read that book for the kids on the first day of Kindegarten this year. The kids loved it, and I am the first to admit that I was gulping back my tears at the end....
Cute nighties too!

[Megan]

Thanks, guys!
I should properly attribute the quote. My friend Sam Bennett said it to me one night last fall. I don't think she made it up, but maybe? If you're a teacher, check out her book about workshop-style teaching:
http://www.amazon.com/That-Workshop-Book-Structures-Classrooms/dp/0325011923/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206719886&sr=8-1

[qudsya]

Oh thats our fav. too :) its so hard to gulp all those tears though,hey but isnt that wt we moms do most of the times:)
and the night gowns are cool too!!!

[Carrie Jarvis]

Cute nightgown. My grandmother made my sisters and I nightgowns and I loved everyone of them!