As we move into November, with Halloween and all the hoopla associated with that frenetic event, I am busy making Thanksgiving outfits for Laurel, Robert and little Alastair. This is the first time I’ve had three little ones to sew for.   I am really looking forward to seeing them all together, sharing DNA, matching outfits and family fun.
The children love to participate in dinner preparations and at 2 and 3 years old, Robert and Laurel had limited opportunities to do anything more than get burned. So they handled the Sister Schubert rolls, painting them generously and sloppily with melted honey butter. Two years ago, Robert and Laurel’s garments were made of green pima cotton, self lined and appliquéd with a monogrammed pumpkin pocket. Robert has always been enamored of pockets so making a free standing pumpkin appliqué was a design element I knew would appeal to him. 
As I do so often, I resorted to the jumper and Jon-Jon patterns in the Martha Pullen’s book, Martha’s Favorite Appliqués. The large buttons were chosen for the strong pop of color and their playful look.
Easy care is an important part of the garment design process. As you can see in the photo below, after dinner and before laundering,  Robert’s outfit required significant pre-treatment. Realistically, I knew these outfits would be worn no more than a few times, so neither their mother nor I  gave much thought to stains.
I try to make the children’s table as festive as the adult table. They always enjoy their special decorations and in years to come might notice that they, too, have a linen table cloth and napkins.
Have you made matching outfits for siblings and cousins? Do you do it for holidays or family pictures? My grandchildren now range in size from 12 months to 5. This year, fabric is about the only thing that ties them together, as two will have machine embroidery and one smocking. What patterns have you used for this wide size range? I’m always curious about what others have sewn.
