Monday 30 September 2013

Monet and Munch for the gifted child

It seems to me, that many parents today want to raise gifted children.  There are a zillion different books, DVD's and websites on the subject.  Apparently, exposing children to fine arts at a young age helps to develop the right-sided brain abilities like creative problem-solving, enhanced photographic memory, visual and spatial thinking, musical talent etc etc etc.

So, I thought I'd help out some of my friends who recently celebrated the birth of their daughter by getting her started on the journey to unlocking the right side of her brain....

At my favourite on-line fabric store, Spoonflower.com, I discovered Edvard Munch's the scream and Claude Monet's water lilies

Foolishly, I only purchased a fat quarter of each fabric in the organic knit.  Thus, I was only able to create a sleeveless top in the work by Munch

Front - the neckline doesn't look even but it is just the way the top is placed on the hanger

size 74cm


Back

The pattern is "Diamond Deer sleeveless jersey top" from Ottobre 3/2011.

Of course, the observant will note that I overlapped the front and back pieces incorrectly.    I blame my sister: I was trying to multi-task, chatting to her on the phone and sewing at the same time...   However, I obviously need to pay more attention when it comes to overlapping shoulder seams because this is a common problem for me!


For the water lilies, I used the Oliver + S hopscotch top pattern.  I knew that I wasn't going to make any amateurish mistakes with this pattern.


size 6-12 months




Dad told me they really liked BRIGHT fabric so I also made a little dress for the new baby (just in case Munch was too much for these new parents...).  I used another favourite Oliver + S pattern: the music box jumper (view B).


 size 6 - 12 months



I lined the bodice with a dotted off-white quilting cotton, and used some decorative mother of pearl buttons.



So here's hoping that these are a hit (or should that be a scream?) with Mum and Dad.

3 comments:

  1. Wow, they are quite statement pieces, aren't they. Maybe the Munch would have suited a little boy more but hopefully the parents are open minded.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are all gorgeous but I want a Munch tank top like that for me! At least if the baby is a screamer then the parents may get a giggle out of dressing her in that top.
    I wish we were neighbours and I could split Spoonflower postage with you....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, and we could trade patterns too!
      Fortunately my friends have a sense of humour and think the Munch top will be perfect for bedtime. Obviously, it is a fairly select group who like this top. Another one of my friends I showed the finished item thought it was revolting! But I just couldn't resist getting this fabric and am so pleased I could make it into something fun (even if I continue to fluff those overlapping shoulder pieces!!)

      Delete