Dressing For Success in the Home Lab
Anyone with an important role usually likes to feel that they look the part. That includes kids.
A fun way to get that feeling while homeschooling is to have lab coats for your budding geologist, chemist, or astronomer to wear when working on Science, whether it’s book work or a hands-on project.
I’m not suggesting buying official lab coats from a medical uniform distributor. And I don’t recommend decommissioning someone’s bath robe either. Something in between is what we’re going for and the answer could be as close as your husband’s side of the closet.
You’ll need a man’s white dress shirt. Don’t try to improvise with something striped – you’ll lose the effect. If the man in your house doesn’t have one to spare, or enough for all your crew, there are two options.
The first is, call a grandpa or maybe two. For one thing, the older guys have had more years to accumulate dress shirts and are likely to have what you need. For another thing, they’ll probably like being included in this small way. If that’s a bust, try an uncle. Same ‘inclusion’ benefit.
Your next option is a thrift store. Ours has a half price day once a week and it’s easy to get them for about a buck each.
Okay, there is a third way. You could go out and buy a one new. But we’re working on using our own resources, right? Plus, it’s more fun to use what you have, or re-use what you can hunt down. And, it’s great for the globe, too, which may be of special interest to your junior environmental engineer.
Sizing couldn’t be easier. Small kid? Get a men’s small. Follow that as you go. Of course they will be too big – not a problem.
For the next part, a sewing machine is VERY helpful, but you could do it by hand. No machine? Try your mom or a friend (and if you’re really blessed, they’re one and the same).
Cut the sleeves off right above the placket. You might be tempted to save the buttons in case you need an extra, but if you’re the kind of person that could find it when you actually need it, you probably already have one saved from something else.
Then sew one continuous line from the end of the sleeve up to the armpit, and down the side of the shirt. Don’t be too particular. You can run another line of stitching closer in if needed. The lab coat should be roomy but not cumbersome. Trim off the excess.
Hem the sleeves – the nicest way is a double fold hem – and you’re done. If you want to go a step further, make an ID badge to clip or stick on.
You know how great it is to multiply benefits, right? This could be a good first sewing project for your future Buzz Aldrin or Marie Curie, whether by machine or hand.
And, to add another layer of benefit, see if Gram will help your kids do the project. That would take one thing off your list, and give her a chance to help out and be a part of things.
Enough prep! Your home lab is staffed and ready for business.
