Wiksten Harem Pants for Andy

Sewing for others isn’t always my preferred way to spend my sewing time, but sewing is how I show and share my love so it is something I enjoy doing from time to time. ❤

While I have sewn lots of small things for Andy, this project moved to the top of the list after the Hubs sent me a text one morning declaring that he was going pants shopping for Andy because he had to send her to school in her pajama bottoms (he may have been hinting strongly for the past few weeks that she needed pants. And I responded like every great mother who sews does: “I’ll make her a pair!” – knowing that I had much more fun projects on my list so it would take some urgency for me to get started on them 😉 ).

If you have been following for any amount of time, you may recall that Andy has Turner syndrome – meaning there’s one thing for sure: she’s going to be short (which was highly likely regardless since I am only 5’0″). So, it was only a matter of time before my sewing or altering her clothes would start 😉

After browsing the #WikstenHaremPants hashtag on Instagram and seeing all those little fluffy butts, I ordered the pattern.

I really like that the pants are meant to be cuffed so they can “grow” with the child.

I’m a really slow sewist so sewing something that could fit her for a while was a priority. Also, Andy’s growth has slowed a bit (which we expected as part of her having TS) so she’s been idling around the same size for a few months.

Being my child, she’s built like a brick house – small and compact. She was beginning to encounter the same issue I faced and what brought me to sewing my own clothes many years ago: if the waist fits comfortably, the pants are way too long.

As a treat to Andy because 1) I think she’s perfect the way she is, 2) We all deserve clothes that fit us well, and 3) It’s Turner Syndrome Awareness Month!!, I whipped her up an adorable pair of Harem pants.

Fabric

I think the fabric was a tablecloth – I found it at Goodwill a few years ago. It was big enough (and soft enough) to use as backing fabric for a throw-sized quilt I was working on so I snagged it. I have been holding onto the scraps – I knew they’d come in handy one day! 😉

I wanted to try the pattern out on some fabric I wouldn’t be heartbroken if the fit was a dud. BUT turns out this is a great pattern and fit my squishy girl just right.

Size

Currently Andy is wearing 9-month size clothes in RTW/ready-to-wear (store-bought) clothing with some fluctuation. 12-month pants seem to fit her best in the waist, but the length is always a little too long.

For her Harem pants, I traced the 6-12 month size pattern and used her waist measurements to determine the length of the elastic.

She’s got extra space (which we ALL love, right?) so the pants are a little baggy which I think is precious (and will also contribute to their longevity!).

Since the sizing goes up to 3T, I plan to make many more pairs for Andy (because I think she loves an elastic waist as much as her mama 😉 ).

When I decided I would make Andy some Harem pants, I immediately decided to order some mama-made tags for them.

I’m crazy about Kylie and the Machine’s tags – I knew the pants wouldn’t be completed without the “Yo Mama Made It” Tag. So, I found the closest stockist to me geographically and ordered the tags from Topstitch in hopes shipping wouldn’t take too long (it didn’t!).

These pants were a fun, quick project. Sewing is such a gift and I’m so happy to be able to share it with Andy.

I sew clothes for myself as a form of self-love. Having the ability to make clothes for Andy that fit her body and her style is a treasure and something that I plan to share with Andy as often as I can. I want her to understand that we all come in different shapes and sizes (and we can’t all fit clothes straight off the rack). The fact that we are all so unique is what makes the world such an interesting place.

February is Turner syndrome Awareness Month!

As I shared a few months ago, Andy has Mosaic Turner syndrome – half of her cells have two X chromosomes as expected, but half of her cells have only one X chromosome. She is now 13-months-old and continuing to do great (which we are so incredibly grateful for). While our journey may be smooth [so far], I wanted to share more about TS and what it’s like raising a “TS girl.”

Andy has had lots of doctor’s appointments, lots of bloodwork, lots of tears, and lots more love than we know what do with. While balancing all of her appointments can sometimes seem overwhelming, I remind myself that this is our normal. It’s all we know – with Andy being our first child, it’s all we know as parents, and it’s all she will know as a child experiencing life as it comes day-to-day.

Turner syndrome is a variable condition meaning that the health issues can span a wide range. Women and girls living with TS can be impacted in various different ways. We are taking it day-by-day. We don’t know yet how it will affect Andy.

If you aren’t familiar with Turner syndrome, watch the video below – it does a great job answering the question “What is Turner syndrome?”

 

How can you help

If you’re feeling inspired, there are many ways you can show support!

1. If you order often through Amazon, consider choosing the Turner Syndrome Foundation as your AmazonSmile beneficiary (place your orders via smile.amazon.com and they will receive a donation at no extra charge to you! Works with Amazon Prime too – same site). You can find a link to AmazonSmiles at the bottom of the Turner Syndrome Foundation site. Learn more about AmazonSmile here.
2. Donate to organizations working to support research, education, and awareness around Turner syndrome – such as the Turner Syndrome Society and/or the Turner Syndrome Foundation.
3. Order TS-awareness gear – my sister & I got this shirt at the conference last year and we find ourselves twinning in it quite often (it is soooo soft!). I ordered this shirt for my grandmother and my mom as a Christmas gift. These socks are also fun!
4. Do one (or more!) of these 8 things to spread awareness about TS from the Turner Syndrome Society.
5. Share the Turner Syndrome Awareness Month Flyer (maybe hang one up at your office, at the gym, your favorite coffee shop, etc.).

Other helpful resources:

• A Patient Guide to Turner Syndrome
• A Guide for Families from the Turner Syndrome Society
• Resources for Professionals – if you’re a nerd like me, you might like to read some of these research articles.
• Guidelines and Resources from the Turner Syndrome Foundation
• Why You Should Support Awareness Month from the TS Foundation
• The Clinical Practice Guidelines for treating girls and women with TS were updated recently (2017) – you can find the guidelines HERE & a patient/family-friendly version HERE.