Britney Spears hopes that a new career in fashion will help her see more of her precious sons. The troubled pop star is in talks with fashion designer Christian Audigier to design a range of T-shirts.

Britney, who often designs and sews her own clothes, has tried to work with designer Christian before. “Britney and Christian had long talked about collaborating on a clothing line together,” Christian Audigier spokesperson Nicole Irving tells OK!. “But the timing was never right. Now it looks like it’s finally going to happen.”

Sources close to the pop princess tell OK! that Brit wants to demonstrate to the judge in her custody battle with ex-hubby Kevin Federline that she is capable of handling the responsibilities of being in business and, therefore, can be a good parent.

“She desperately loves Sean Preston and Jayden James, and her heart breaks that she can’t spend more time with them,” the source reveals to OK!. “But she realizes that if she wants to have any hope of spending more time with her children, she’s going to have to impress the court with her progress.”

Britney’s next court date is May 6, at which time she intends to prove to Commissioner Scott Gordon that she’s knuckling down. With the help of her father, Jamie, the 26-year-old is well on her way to turning her life around.

“She used to spend her days driving aimlessly through L.A., going from gas stations to Rite Aid to Taco Bell,” the insider tells OK!. “Now, with a schedule set by Jamie that includes getting up by 8 a.m., there has been a noticeable difference in Britney’s attitude.”

Quality time spent with her boys also helps Brits’ spirit. Before her visit with Christian on April 3, the pop star spent three precious hours with her sons.

“Britney seemed really happy to see her sons,” the insider recalls. “There were lots of smiles and hugs. She had a miniature John Deere tractor that the boys took turns riding on, as her father, Jamie, watched. You could tell that spending time with her sons really buoyed her spirits.”