Elis' condition, achondroplasia, is a disproportionate form of dwarfism, while his torso is average sized his arms and legs are shorter than average. As a newborn the difference wasn't noticeable but the older he gets the more the growth in his limbs slows in relation to the rest of him. It's worked alright to roll up his sleeves and dress him in smaller sized trousers (as long as the waist line hasn't been too tight). But now he's well and truly on the move, as well as weaning, I find his sleeves keep coming undone, becoming filthy and soaked in no time.
I learnt to sew as a child but it has been the best part of a decade since I used a sewing machine, that is up until six months ago: I requested a machine for my birthday earlier in the year and have had a great time making the girls cute reversible dresses. Now I'm venturing to unknown territories though as I'm starting to alter Elis' clothes. Sewing in jersey isn't easy as the material stretches (you even need to use a different type of needle) and I don't think I have any previous experience with jersey fabric, I definitely haven't attempted these kinds of modifications before and have felt a bit out of my depths. But if I start practising already now his clothes will hopefully look tidier as he gets older, here's hoping anyway! I'm sure there are mothers out there with plenty more experience just like there are mothers who have never picked up a needled before. Either way I wanted to write this segment to show some of the work that goes in to altering a piece of clothing and shed light on what a struggle finding clothes that fit nicely can be for some people.
I'm no seamstress so don't mind the messy bits - there were a lot of expletives thrown about trying to sew this, a lot thanks to the "calm environment" my children helped create.
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| I turned the top inside-out and undid the stitching down the inside of the sleeve. I just folded the sleeve a couple of times to give myself a straightish line to go by before cutting. |
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| I actually ended up undoing far more stitches than the photo shows as I realised it would be a lot easier to sew the fold if it wasn't attached, just didn't get a second photo in the chaos. |
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| Finally I sewed the seam I had undone in the first place back up and turned the top the right way again. |
It's already such a puzzle trying to figure out what sizes to dress him in and I know we are only at the very beginning of that journey. Some things don't need altering (I've found a lot of Polarn.o.Pyret baby clothes quite handy as a lot of their clothes are designed with quite a wide rim both on sleeves and trouser legs so you easily can fold them to fit), some things we've just cut the feet off of (mostly jammies) so they fit better. I go for the combination of right sized t-shirt body (currently 6-9 months) on him with a long sleeved top in a smaller size over, but it won't be an option for long.
I hope more brands start making more inclusive clothes, there are already people, like Sinéad Burke fighting for major changes in the industry but there's a lot left to achieve. In the meantime there are mothers out there learning new skills, trying their best, but probably feeling inadequate along the way - I do anyway. If you're one of those mums, you've got this, whatever way and for whatever reason you make your adjustments. |
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| Not perfect, but more comfortable for us both than folding sleeves that are two times too long. |
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