Mr Hoppo Bumpo has given me the talk.
The timing of the talk took me by surprise. Sure I knew it was coming one day, but now? It caught me off-guard. If I am being honest, I'd have to say I felt slighted by the talk.
So, what was the talk?
Maybe you've had it? The one where you are told that there is a sunset clause on home-sewing the children's wardrobes. See that big red ball disappearing on the horizon? Yes that would be Argy and Bargy turning 4 and 2 and insisting upon prêt-à-porter.
At first I wasn't sure whether to be flattered (did Mr HB think I'd actually sewn that many things for Argy and Bargy??) or insulted (hey, what the heck's wrong with my sewing?). Of course instead of heeding the talk, I have been feeling kind of inclined to thumb my nose; become defiant; go underground.
So here I am making some tracky daks* for Argy. I am using some purchased trims to make them look store-bought (see above). And have made a shopping bag to put them in, when I have finished.
Rebellious home sewing will continue tomorrow, after Mr HB leaves for work ...
* tracky daks - Australian slang for track pants or sweats
What is it with men? When I was gearing up to make my first dresses for my daughters, my husband said "You're not planning on making a bunch of stuff for [Son], too, are you?" In a tone that implied "Because it's just too girlish!" I love that you're making a shopping bag to go with it! HAHA!
ReplyDeleteUgh, my first few tries were less than successful, but since then I've gotten better. But I'm waiting for my husband/son to tell me "no more!" I need a girl. :O)
ReplyDeleteHa! I've gotten "the talk" a few times. It's come to the point that he just says "More cleaning, less crafting" on his way out the door. Um, our house isn't dirty! He just would rather think about me slaving away all day rather than "playing" in the craft room. Like you, I've gone underground - or just saved my crafting for the evenings - "sorry can't watch TV with you cause I was busy cleaning all day and I really want to make this project" - ha ha!
ReplyDeleteHahahahahaha! That is so funny I have even read it out loud to CK (being a boy he just rolled his eyes but .....)
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! Underground crafting and proud (uhoh!! I feel a new Donkey coming on)
whats wrong with sewing all their clothes? I could maybe understand when they are older and want to wear clothes like the ones their friends wear, but at that age?
ReplyDeletethe trim does make it look store bought :) love the shopping bag :D
No way! You keep on sewing those clothes for the boys! If they're anything like my girls they'll love the fact that mummy made them - in fact, the other day Clare was whinging about something Stella had because "hers is handmade and mine isn't"!
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny - my sister does the opposite by hiding the shopping bags and putting the clothes straight in the wardrobe!
ReplyDeleteOh how I love the words ' trackie dacks'.... cracks me up every time.
So how's this for a different angle... on the sunset clause. It's kinda literal.
ReplyDeleteMr HB only wants you to sew during the day and then when the sun sets at night, he wants you all to himself!
I was obviously living in a dreamworld. OBVIOUSLY there's going to be a talk. But of course. And all this while I hadn't even really considered there was a cut-off point to the kid crafting. Der. So far I'm in the clear cos I suspect the Mr is worried he'll be presented with elasticated waist trousers and flowery pocket details...
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll ever get the talk from my Mr. He'd still be wearing happy pants if it wasn't for me.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine just got a different 'talk'. It was the 'I don't want you sewing while I'm at work' talk (because he can't be enjoying *his* hobbies while he's at work). (Rolleyes).
ReplyDeleteMy son is 6.5, and still enjoys homemade (not that I ever get around to making him much.) It's nice to avoid the big bad butch aggressive imagery which features on so much boys' clothing.
No offence to Mr HB but I think that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Have you seen the hideous items that chainstores sell as "boy clothes", covered in skulls and bombs and violence? If I could sew I would totally whip up funky things for the boys to wear. It incenses me the sort of sexist channeling that goes into children's wear. And your stuff rocks; you keep sewing loud and proud, I say!
ReplyDeleteLove the shopping bag! Thanks for the laugh.
ReplyDeleteKeep on sewing!
Sew on sista girl! They'll be none the wiser.
ReplyDeleteThe kids will only want Pret a porter if Mr HB puts it in their little heads!
ReplyDeleteReble, rebel, rebel! I was still wearing mum's handmade stuff when I was in uni, and I wouldn't have had it any other way!
DH is not likely to give me the talk. The way I see it is, if the kids will wear it, then I will sew it! And I just bought over 50 meters of fabric so I think I will be sewing until the kids are over 30 years of age.
ReplyDeleteSew on Liesl! Great idea using trims, etc. The paper bag adds a good touch too.
My suggestion is to make a bag and matching swing tag from something like Ralph Lauren, put it on the trackies with a massive price, let Mr HB find them and say they were the only ones that fitted Argy & Bargy other than the ones you make :-) See if he changes his mind.
ReplyDeleteA bag? What a fabulous idea. You go girl...and thanks for the laugh!
ReplyDeleteBut (and I feel like the grand old lady of the internet here) when your kids tell you themselves that they no longer want your handmade clothes (yep mine are almost 18 and 14)...it does free you up to make all manner of crazy stuff..
ReplyDeleteWhile they don't complain ...make everything ! (and take photos)
I don't see a talk like that coming anytime soon, unless Brian wants to be in charge of taking them clothes shopping. And wow, I can't imagine him telling me, or even implying "less sewing more cleaning". Maybe I'm lucky, or maybe I just have a husband who realizes he gets to indulge his hobbies as much as I do, haha.
ReplyDeleteI think it must be up to Argy and Bargy to decide when the sunset clause comes into effect. However I do think there may be a rule again sewing school uniforms!
ReplyDeleteLovely gocco bag from that exclusive boutique ;) I take it Mr HB is not an avid reader of this blog/ I curse the day I gave Mister Bell my URL!
BTW the tracky daks look very convincing! The Bug calls them twackies ;)
ReplyDeleteJodie's on the money. I love your faker shopping bag...gold.
ReplyDeleteI remember that same thing when each of my kids in turn no longer wanted the things I made for them. Now they love my handmade things again, especially for their littlies!
ReplyDeleteHa! Here's to rebellious home sewing. By the way, he should be thanking you!
ReplyDeletelol, stitching on the down-low. Love it! I haven't ever had that talk...I immediately thought you were referring to the one where el husbando refers to recent fabric purchasing being *excessive*, or some other such nonsense description, and how possibly, possibly, could I arrange for a lull in said spending for a little period? Not that I've ever been on the receiving end of *that* one, of course!
ReplyDeletehehe I love defiant sewing sooo much more fun. Now my kids are teens I don't make the day to day stuff but they ask me to make the special occasion stuff, party gear and fancy dress.. Way more fun (but not without some pressure to make it cool)
ReplyDeleteOk..underground...first thing you need is a subscription to Ottobre (hands down THE best patterns for boys, when you don't want the dh to suspect handmade), and then find a good source of readymade labels...I actually have been known to unpick labels from worn out clothes, and thrift store stuff, to sew onto the new ones I made, and make it look storebought. Fools quite a lot of people. :p Trust me...Mr.HB will never guess...these tips are too good. :lol:
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