My Gramma turned 90 this year!
Happy big birthday to her. I am appreciative of having her in my life for so long; so many others I know have not been so fortunate. We have always been able to communicate openly with each other and I’ve had many interesting late night talks with her.
We’re two peas in a pod in some ways. We both:
- like the movie Pretty Woman
- need to use a shower stool (that story is here)
- love the teal / turquoise / blue color family
- date canned goods
- make lists (and lists for those lists)
- feel better when organized and prepared
With this milestone birthday to prepare for, I wanted to give a handmade item of clothing. I had thick robin blue cotton jersey waiting for just this occasion in my studio. A comfortable t-shirt seemed like a great item to make for her.
My first step was to know for sure what size/dimensions to make the shirt. Mama Linda happened to go visit Gramma so I sent along a “test tee” with her. Gramma tried it on and sure enough, the standard sizing needed to be modified and customized to fit her. Doing this was a smart move that saved me time, frustration, and a possible non- or ill-fitting gift.
Once Mama Linda related the fit modification notes to me, I set to work customizing a pattern for her and forged on.
| Pattern Name/No., Source | short sleeve tee, SnickleShop |
| Size | custom (L-XLish) |
| Fabric | robin blue thick cotton jersey |
| Thread | gray |
| Embellishment | printed brushstroke heart from another tee |
| Custom Notes | – |
tacked on neckline; basted arm holes 
complete tee
Then . . .
a hunt for the “just right” embellishment. I drew from my personal supplies and found a matching swatch from a previously loved shirt. It had a heart on it in the style of Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Just right.
