It’s been so much fun to play along with Me Made May! I’m really enjoying this idea of wearing and styling the clothes I’ve made for myself, and since I switched our closets to spring and summer clothes the last weekend in April (I was feeling optimistic about the weather), it’s been fun to see all my old spring and summer clothing friends again. Also, now that spring has arrived I’ve remembered that I have actual arms and legs, not just furry sweaters over multiple layers of long underwear!
Over on Instagram the other day Rae and I started chatting about how much fun it would be to involve our kids in this idea of wearing and appreciating handmade clothes for a month. We were inspired to start a June project we’re calling Made for Kids Month, and we hope you’ll join us!
Here’s the idea: For the whole month of June, let’s encourage our kids to wear and enjoy their handmade items. Whether their clothes have been made by a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, friend, or themselves, let’s encourage them to wear it proudly!
S selected this ensemble just for you. I love it when kids feel free to express themselves through their clothing and thought this photo might encourage them to do so!
Here are a few thoughts about the project:
- Participate as much or as little as you and your kids like. This isn’t a contest, just a fun project for you to do together!
- Let your kids express their own style: Mismatched? Crazy color schemes? Eighteen different prints? Who cares? Kids love to choose their own clothing, and this project will encourage them to play and experiment. S always says that wearing mismatched socks helps her to fight “the feeling of ennui.” We could all use a little of that, right?
- You don’t need to participate every day. For example, S’s school has a dress code, and she can’t wear hand-made clothing very much during the week. So we’ll probably focus on weekends when we have time and she feels like participating.
- Let your kids be the guide here. If they don’t want to participate, that’s OK. Don’t force them! We want this to be fun for everyone. No meltdowns! (Parents, that includes you.)
- Post your photos to Instagram, the new Made for Kids Month Flickr group, Twitter, and/or your blog. Use hashtag #madeforkidsmonth so we can all find you. And feel free to post photos in more than one place, too!
- This project might give you some opportunities to talk to your children about where our clothes come from. Like with Fashion Revolution Day, let’s teach kids about who makes our clothing. Maybe they don’t think about it very much. Whether you’ve sewn just a few items (so far) or you make everything for your kids, it’s good to talk to them about their clothing. We want you and your kids to be proud of the clothing you’ve made and to enjoy spending time making things.
- If you’re able to do so, set aside a little time this month to make something together just for the fun of it. It doesn’t have to be clothing. Make a painting together, or take turns making silly faces for the camera. Let’s celebrate kids and creativity!
- And who knows, maybe our kids will be inspired to get involved in making clothing themselves, if they haven’t yet. Maybe June will be a great opportunity for your first parent-kid sewing lesson.
Will you join us? I hope so!