The Little Man Color Block Polo Shirt

Every time my little man sees me starting a sewing project he asks "Who is it for?". And 99% of the times I answer "It's for your sister A" or "your sister B" and he walks away... head down... with a sad look... It-breaks-my-heart... 

These last (6...8...?) weeks have been sewing madness weeks. Lots of pattern testing to do, sew-alongs and series... I think I have made more garments in these weeks than in my whole life (no, seriously...)... And only two things out of a bazillion were for him... (you can see them here).

So, this week I wanted to sew something for PR&P w4 - Signature Style challenge -, and for this April's Flip This Pattern series. I immediately started to sketch something for one of my girls that could figure in both challenges... A Dress... No, a blouse... Color block... Tulip sleeves... A-line... a bit of lace... In my mind it was beautiful! 
But, again, my little man came by and threw the question "Who is that for?"... It brook my heart knowing that I was going to break is heart... again... "I am making something for you, my sweet little man!", I said. His eyes glowed! In that instant I decided I was going to make something for him.

Well, I had just put myself in a lot of trouble... I had my mind set in a project for a girl and now, all of a sudden, and with just a day to work on it I had to come up with something suitable for a little guy...

I didn't know were to turn to!
"Focus, Sara, focuuusss!"

Ok, I had something to start with - this month's project for Flip This Pattern series is the Colorblock dress from Heidi & Finn. It couldn't be a dress so... it had to be a shirt. A polo shirt! And, as always, I wanted to keep the main design or main feature, so I decided to keep the color block design.

How I flipped the color block dress to a polo shirt:

• The opening was turned from the back to the front (I add to adjust the neckline) and I added a placket (I left it open but I think I'll add snaps - I made it a bit narrow for buttons...)
• I added a collar
• I adjusted the armholes and added sleeves
• A color block pocket at the front

I used piqué cotton (after all it is a polo shirt, right?) I had in my stash, in three different colors - white, red and navy blue.

He loved it! I made it in about 4 hours (from drafting and cutting to sewing and finishing) with 4 kids at home, and just in time for him to use it for a walk to the park.
While I was trying to sew I had to bribe them saying we would go play at the park if they'd let me finish this... If you ever tryed to spend a whole day with 4 kids locked at home you know what I mean... Well, I always always always keep my promises.

So, how does this relate to PR&P s9 w4 - Signature Style challenge? It does. 

I sew 99% for my girls - it's all pink and girly colors, florals and polka dots, blouses and sweet dresses, piping and lace - this is my Signature style. But I want my signature style to be also blue hues and green shades, stars and space rockets, shirts and trousers. So, I want to take a pledge. I pledge I will sew more for my little man - he deserves it! I don't ever ever want to feel like I am breaking is little heart... 'cause I know that is one thing he will remember when is all grown up... And I want to change that. I want him to remember of all the cool clothes his mommy made him when he was a kid... And I just have a few more years for that... He is 6, you know?...

Does anyone want to join me?...



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