Parenting a very young child is exhilarating and challenging. (I know that's not a particularly new piece of wisdom that I'm spinning out into the ether.) Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of parenting is discovering one of your children's interests and fostering the exponential learning curve that follows.
M began learning about knights when we acquired a Playmobil castle, knights, and dragons from our neighbor's garage sale. His dad built him a gladius out of a wooden stake and some duct tape; apparently a modest knighting ceremony followed in the garage.
Using wool felt, some glittery nylon fabric, and a simple iron-on transfer, I sewed some simple, suitable armor for chasing after bad guys and searching for wild lions. The patterns for the chain mail, armor, and helmet all came from Bend the Rules Sewing, with a few minor alterations.* The beauty of felt, which facilitated an easy evening of sewing and crafting (a Christmas miracle!), is that it doesn't require hemming. Just a few simple seams and, lo! A knight of the castle, prepared for battle or whatever chivalrous deeds may follow.
It must be obvious, but allow me to say it anyway: oh, I love that boy.
*As I've said before, I do not really sew. I certainly do not do so competently. But I've come to think of this book as the sewing book for sewers who do not sew, but happen to own a sewing machine. So there. (Another pattern I've made from the book can be seen here.)
That is cutest thing I have seen. What a wonderful mother to play into the imagination on thier children. I hope they know how lucky they are.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Will | January 05, 2010 at 06:24 AM