Saturday, July 6, 2013
Boy stuff
I'm not sure how to start this post. I made a tent. But not really a tent. It's really a place for Logan to go to escape from a world that is too much for him. I haven't said it on the blog before, mostly because I've been working through it myself. Logan has autism. Sometimes, he just needs somewhere he can get away from all of the noise and stimulation around him. So, I made him his own place.
It started out as a table that Mitch made for the kids. The top is covered with Lego plates, so I couldn't just make a tablecloth and call it good.
This is the table before. As you can see, it gets used. A lot. And I didn't want to lose the functionality of it as a play table, but I did want to start with something that Logan saw as a safe area.
Instead of a cover, I made four panels and attached them to the sides of the table with velcro. This has the added effect of making it easy to get in and out of, since there are openings on all four corners. I attached the soft side of the velcro to the table, so that when/if we remove the panels, the table still has a soft edge.
Thomas had to check it out first, before Logan was sure about it.
It looked OK on the inside...
Yay! He likes it! Sometimes it's good to do some unselfish sewing.
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34 comments:
I love the Cars fabric you used! It's a great little private space! I've used the velcro curtain trick in both my sewing room palladian window and my kitchen window where there was no room for a curtain rod - works great! Very smart to use the fuzzy side on the table in your case. =)
Lucky kid to have such a crafty mom to make a time-out from all this BS tent!
One should always have a place of ones own- great idea!
Very cool how you made a special space without losing function. This is a great unselfish sewing project.
Smart way to attach the velcro, Katie.
(I would probably not think of that and do it the other way, causing frustration).
Yeah for multi-function!
Adorable Tent Katie! I love it! I would have loved it as a child too! The best to you and Logan!
Greay Katie.
What a great idea! I think it's good for all of us to have our own space to retreat too.
A fantastic idea for giving him a place to just kind of get away from it all! Autistic or no, I think it's important for everyone to have a safe haven where they can have some time to think and dream. I wouldn't be surprised if the other kids decide they want their own place now too. :-)
Lovely, Katie. And clever. I wish your family all the best with your journey.
This is such a good idea! and it is used :-)
Wonderful!!!
Mommy, and Logan, win!
Logan will just love this little chill-out zone you have lovingly created for him. A great place to pop a cushion, or any other sensory item he can relax with...and Thomas as well!
Great tent. I would have loved this when I was a kid
And . . .
Hugs to you & Logan.
The table is really wonderful . . . expressions of you & Mitch using your creative capacities to make his life (and thus yours) a little easier.
BRAVO!!!!!
Very clever. I am sure he will enjoy it.
You are brave to share this disorder with us. And your get-away-area is terrific! Very creative, and you are in all your creations!
agreed! a room of one's own is vital! what a lucky boy to have an accommodating mum. :)
You and Mitch are so clever... the escape zone will be great for you all for different reasons.
I totally need one of these for me.
Brilliant idea, and I love the awesome fabric. Actually I'd like to make one for my desk at work, we could all use a little space sometimes. I hope Logan gets a lot from his sanctuary
Clever idea, Katie, and excellent execution!:) Looks like a nice place for a child to hang out in and relax a little.
Very nice! He's going to love this. I have two kids with autism, so we have lots of special places in our home and I've done lots of unselfish sewing in their behalf. Weighted blankets, weighted lap pads, sensory swings, etc. If you do any other projects related to his sensory or adaptive needs, please post them! Us parents of autistic children need all the support and DIY ideas we can get to help our kids and families cope and thrive. :o)
I have two boys 7yo and 9 yo who both have autism. Being able to sew is a darned good thing when you have children with autism.
Very clever creation, Katie! One of the best gifts a parent can give to their children is understanding their individual needs, and helping them fulfill those needs. You're such a great mom!
Darling little hideaway! I also have a son with autism. At 13, he wouldn't fit under that little table! My recent sewing project for him was a Star Trek uniform shirt. Not so much sensory or adaptive as geeky!! He would have me sewing for him full time if I were that unselfish--luckily I'm not.
Katie! This is wonderful! Logan is a lucky lil guy to have such caring and accommodating parents. If we don't hear from you for a few days, do we assume you are "under the table and dreaming"? I'm pretty sure I would be spending a little time there too. Ha!
He's a precious guy, and I'm glad that he has you to love on him in the ways that he needs to be loved on. I hope this cave is a wonderful little safe haven for him.
We had a Little Tykes castle in the playroom (which had no furniture), and one child or another would often retreat to the quiet of the castle if the world bothered him. So it's not just autism, but sometimes it's that a child needs a quiet place to hide. Logan looks like a happy boy, and that's what matters most. That, and having a wonderful Mommy who makes pants that feel good and a tent into which he can retreat. I love the fabric you used for the sides; Logan might find that he has competition for his quiet place!
Oh, that is such a sweet project, and such a great little place for him to chill out when he needs some safe space. So cute!
What a great solution! Easy to get in and out of, didn't affect the function of the table--a perfect little getaway.
My 10 year old grandson Jacob has autism. He still loves to get away from us all sometimes. I made a cover for our card table with that same idea in mind.
You rock. I'm glad that he has you as a mom, and you have him to love and support. Your family is awesome :)
Perfect :-)
Others have said it, but Logan is so lucky to have parents so in tune with his needs! (She says, wistfully...)
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