the blue blog archives: a stitch in time saves $39.50

A few hours before the big snow came this weekend, I was busy reattaching the straps on wee's snow pants from last year. I bought a size 3 for my then 1 1/2 year-old and she was tall enough then that I was already worried about how they'd fit this year. Sure enough, when we tried them on the now 2 1/2 year-old wee one a couple of weeks ago, there was a good inch wide gap between the two snappy parts of the bib snaps that no amount of tugging could bridge. Hubby examined the straps carefully, looking deep in the snap contraption for a way to save the cash for another pair of snow pants. And after a minute, he said that we could get rid of the plastic piece the top strap was woven through (the one that allows you to adjust its length) and then we could sew the strap straight to the top plastic bit, thereby giving us another inch and half or so of fabric. And by we he meant me.

But, dang it, if it didn't just work! I used my strongest thread (in a, let's call it coordinating, shade of black) and, bob's your uncle, no more giant wedgie, no more tears and no more money spent!

posted by alison at 9:16 pm | in handmade holiday 2009 , sewn , smells like snow

Comments

Sounds (and looks) like a perfect solution to me!

Posted by: Toni at December 22, 2009 6:50 AM

Alison, you remind me of my Mom. She could fix anything and make it last just a little longer. With 6 kids, that was important. And when a new pair of snow pants is 40 bucks, it's even more important! Merry Christmas!

Posted by: Libby at December 22, 2009 7:24 AM

Smart.

Posted by: Krissy at December 22, 2009 8:49 AM

That's great! I hate the idea of only getting one season's worth of use out of something, though I'm resigned to that being the case when I have kids. It's good to know that a bit of ingenuity can go a long way!

Posted by: Seanna Lea at December 22, 2009 9:09 AM

I can so see him examining the pants, making his declaration of plan and then moving on...for you to implement.

Posted by: Darci at December 22, 2009 12:58 PM

Lovely solution. Don't really love the 'we' that means 'me'.

Posted by: Robby at December 23, 2009 6:56 PM

So awesome, that your sewing skills came to such practical use. I don't think altering etc. necessarily sounds like fun, but I think being able to do these things instead of just "throwing it out" is fantastic. 39.50 you can spend on some fabric perhaps ;-)

Posted by: Sara at December 24, 2009 9:08 PM

Great solution!!! My older daughter grew like a weed. I always had to worry about her out growing things. Snow pants were always a particular thorn because of their cost (I swear I spent as much in the late 70's early 80's as you do now) & the fact that you can never be sure how much wear they'll get. Some years that are mild with only a little snow maybe only once or twice. At first I saved them for her little sister but little sis was always wee - very small for her age & grew very slowly. She actually had the same winter jacket for 4 years straight (1-4 grades)! It soon became just too cumbersome to have several years worth of girl clothes (ESP since we lived on apartments &oved every couple years when they were young). Half the time by the time they fit her they were so badly out of fashion that I couldn't bear to have her wear them.

Posted by: Donna at December 28, 2009 11:57 PM

Fantastic.

Posted by: Orli at December 31, 2009 5:40 AM