My Nephew, the Gnome!

I was given the challenge of whipping up a little something for my 6 month old nephew, Hudson, one week before the opening of the Texas Renaissance Festival, and this is what I came up with. The gnome idea was suggested by my husband, and since the little guy already looked half-way like a gnome in his natural state, it was the perfect choice! Although I had never sewn for a baby before and wasn't too sure what I was doing, it actually wasn't that hard to make, and I was really happy with how it all came together. The shirt was from a normal infant jacket pattern that I made a little longer and wider at the hem, and I only used one large button and a belt to fasten it closed. I then added a simple blanket stitch in wool yarn around the edges which added that whimsical "gnomish" look. The hat and booties were made out of some fuzzy cotton fabric similar to terry-cloth, and I just made up my own patterns for these by trial and error and a bit of beginner's luck. Little Hud was quite the traffic stopper at faire, and I already can't wait to figure out what to make him for next year! You can also see my sister-in-law, Amanda, looking quite beautiful in my fairie outfit, and Gabe, who is sporting a doublet that I made for him to wear at our wedding.