3.18.2008

servitude: she feels fabulous in it





Have you noticed how servants, or people being made to act as servants for a period of time, are such a big part of children's stories? Cinderella, Snow White, the mute child frantically knitting shirts from nettles... there is really no fairy tale that I can think of that doesn't have at least a tiny element of really hard work. So I was thinking about this and wanting to make the little girls in my family simple little servant-inspired dresses (because, to be frank: it would be nice to have a bit more help around here from the under-four-feet crowd!) Here's my first product. I still have some variations in mind that I might work on later this week... especially if the kids get the message and start scrubbing.

29 comments:

Amy said...

this is a very cute shirt. and the buttons are a nice touch.

Carissa said...

Lovely white shirt. I adore the little black buttons. The idea for servants clothes is hilarious.

Audrey and the Boys said...

I love it! I'd like one in my size too please!

Anonymous said...

you make the best clothes for kids. thank you for the inspiration.
http://pinkpetunias.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

Oh, adorable. Do you know what she needs to further the servant-girl look? A kerchief for her hair.

So funny. My little sisters used to wear kerchiefs and pick the (not quite ripe) grapes from our grapevine in the backyard, pretending they were slave-girls. Poorly treated slave-girls, of course. It was apparently really fun, because they did it a lot.

Bethany said...

Lynne, this is really cute!! I'm not so sure the message has penetrated the wearer... looks like it just made her more playful! You and Melissa could definitely start your own children's line of clothing! I love everything!

sew nancy said...

love the shirt and the concept.
my son actually loves to 'help' around the house
his dusting and loading the washer are top notch
if i had to guess i would his favorite would be the vacuum

lera said...

Cute! She looks like she loves it. (and the camera, too)

meg said...

this is your pattern? It's fantastic! I would also like it in my size.

Unknown said...

We just started D on chores this week. Got any servant clothes for boys.? :)

Anonymous said...

That is the cutest little dress. Reminds me of something from Mayle.

Abby said...

gorgeous.... really and those buttons rock!!

Dawn Elizableth said...

So cute! I hope the help can keep there clothes clean while working.

oliver rain said...

She looks so sweet in this outfit. The buttons are adorable.

#A5 said...

lynne, this is such a great shirt. my daughters are going nuts over the buttons and i can't wait to see the next piece of the servant inspired line. hysterical.

Leslie said...

I love the little ruffle and her cute boots and THAT CHAIR

Lauren said...

Love the neckline and the cat buttons. She looks WAY to happy to be in servants clothing.

I went through a period last year where I realized I had a lot of shirts with black and white stripes - making me feel like an inmate...

Anonymous said...

Very cool, I love simple white shirts and dresses for little girls, and the neckline is really original.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

That shirt is so cute Lynne! I really like the neckline and buttons are a nice touch. You made that pattern up? Wow.
L. is darling! You can tell she's totally full of life.
p.s. Our wee girl likes to make that face all the time. It's her "scary face" and she always pulls really, REALLY hard. All of this energy and not enough places to channel it :) Fun stuff.

Jess said...

Fantastic!
I love the neckline detail and the buttons.
You guys are really too too much!
Thanks for the constant inspiration.

Linnea said...

I love the shirt! I hope the ploy to get more chores done works, let me know how that works out. I may have to try some boy versions for my guys!

k e n d r a said...

i second the other posts and want one for me too!

ok, now that i have been soooo inspired by the two of you, will you ladies tell me how you became such great seamstresses? i have a sewing machine, but really need a class, and all there seems to be are quilting classes. also, are these all your own patterns, or have you had luck finding great childrens' patterns? i looked at joans the other day and couldn't find one thing that i wanted to make for stella, boo! any advice would be very appreciated!

melissa said...

Lynne: your servant shirt about kills me! It is so adorable and the servant theme so hilarious! Yes you should really make a shirt that will transform any child who wears it into an obedient slave. That would be a big hit. I'll be your first client and order three of them!

erika said...

That looks so great and look howhappy your little girl is!

eBirdie said...

Great shirt - and I love your red and white chair.

Anonymous said...

bOh so sweet!

Fine Little Day said...

Happy beautiful.

Rubyellen said...

I love the buttons! Adorable! You two never cease to amaze me!