Care Bear Siblings

My brother and his wife were a happy (if tired) family of five, and then this summer they made an announcement: they were soon to be a family of six! After we congratulated them for this latest addition, my brother made a comment that "not everyone congratulates you on the fourth child" which just convinced me that *I* - Auntie of Great Handmade Swag - needed to not just congratulate but actually celebrate the announcement of my brother's newest soon-to-be-arrival, and PRONTO.

So how best to celebrate? With fabric, clearly. And not just ANY old clothing would do; what I really needed was a sibling set. For four children. Fortunately, I had the fabric...

Care Bears have been a constant theme for my SIL since before my nieces were born. First I made her a cat, then some dresses for the girls, and eventually a maternity shirt and a matching kimono footie set for kid #3. To be fair, this was interspersed with other non-care-bear creations, but still. It's a fun call-back to a childhood nickname, and I stocked up on this fabric a few years ago. Even their cousin (my daughter) has gotten in on the action with a Care Bear Solis. 

For the littlest cousin, who is still gestating at the time of this writing, I went with my go-to creation, the Simple Life Pattern Company Isla - it's cute, it's fast, and it's comfortable. 

For the older girls, I wanted a little more pizzaz. I've been dying to try the SLPCo Adelyn for a VERY long time now, and I thought its long, elegant lines would look cute on the baby's older sisters. I do so love the puffed sleeves of the Adelyn, but in this case, since little sis already had plain sleeves I decided to mash the sleeves of the Isla with the neckline of the Adelyn. I like that look, it reminds me of dancers in their low-backed leotards. 

For the eldest niece used the Adelyn scoop back and the wide bow; for the soon-to-be-middle niece, I used the modest back and some inspiration from the SLPCo Molly to adapt the largest Adelyn bow as a waist tie.

The only challenge left was my nephew - he needed something that worked with the set, but was maybe a little more masculine. He got a Max Raglan with my one remaining panel, and some coordinating rainbow sleeves. It might be a little big yet - he's growing at a much faster clip than his sisters - but hopefully it will fit when little sis is born!

Here all 4 creations are together:

And here my nieces are with theirs on! This photo stunned me with how big they've gotten, but those are definitely two smiling faces!

Now I can't wait until January when our littles niece comes, so brother will wear his (at least once) and all 4 will get some use!