Spring tunic and leggings

This is the same pattern I used in my previous post for the monkey pajamas. The only difference this time is that I used elastic in the hem of the top as the original pattern called for. I like how the back is longer and curved -- it makes it interesting and different than what you would normally see in a store or something. This time, I also shorted up the neck elastic a smidge to avoid gaping when she bends over. I'm glad she likes it, as she is getting to the age where she is particular about what she will wear sometimes. ;)

I used a set of Nick & Nora monkey jersey sheets that I got on sale at Target a while back as fabric from which to make some pajamas. Here is the first set done. I used #34 from the 1/2010 Ottobre, "Flower Fields" tunic top in size 128, and left off the elastic at the bottom hem. The leggings were from the 1/2009 issue, #32, also in 128 cm. Other than leaving the elastic off the hem of the tunic top, I made no adjustments.

Working on a couple of Christmas gifts

loud girl outfit, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

This is going to be wrapped up and put under the tree. She'd get it anyway, but it's fun to have more presents to open, huh?

The fabric is from Chez Ami and I used the Ottobre 6/07 issue again - same pattern as the last shirt (which I just noticed I didn't blog here), but with a hood. I also modified it to have faux layered sleeves and I bound the sleeve edges. The leggings are also in that issue.



This is a preview of what I'm making for the boy. I haven't sewed him any clothes in a while, so hopefully he'll like this shirt once it's done. He told me he likes the Transformers Decepticons (the bad guys!) which was good for me because their symbol looked easier to applique. LOL

raglan nightgown

raglan nightgown, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

The neck looks wonky in this picture from the way the fabric fell, but it's not really. Ottobre 6/09, #36, size 116.

November 2009 008, originally uploaded by pearljamfanatic.

This was made several months ago, so I don't remember the pattern, but it's from Ottobre. :)

New swimsuit

A new swimsuit for the girl. Ottobre 3/09, #38, size 116. I like that it doesn't ride up her rear end. She picked out the fabric last weekend when swimsuit fabric was on sale for 50% off.

"Hertta" skirt

Here is the "Hertta" skirt from the 1/2009 issue of Ottobre Design. This one is a size 116. The only change that I left out is the petersham drawstring ribbon. I could just see that thing coming undone, untied, and the girl can't tie a bow yet. I envisioned a big knot mess or else it being pulled out altogether. Maybe a sewn on bow on the front of the waistband would be better.

Speaking of waistbands....ick. I'm really not fond of them. Maybe it's because I'm not good at them. What's the matter with a normal elastic waist treatment on a skirt like this? Next time that's what I plan to do.

The girl will love this. She was so excited watching me sew it up this evening. The next step will be to make up a top to go with it!

Little Red Riding Hood costume

For Halloween, my daughter finally made up her mind and decided to be Little Red Riding Hood. I ended up morphing some tried and true Ottobre patterns together with some improvisation by me and it turned out super cute!

Here is a snapshot of what a pattern sheet looks like in Ottobre. I use lightweight sew in interfacing as a pattern medium. I previously used that tracing material with the dots on it (sorry don't know the technical name), but I like the stiffer interfacing better. It's all personal preference.

Other patterns that need to be traced look like this as well, but are often all in black and white. Sometimes the lines for each size are slightly different to help with tracing.

Lots of people are intimidated by the aspect of tracing after looking at these kinds of patterns. It's really not too bad! And if you do mess up, so what? Try again!

I love this fabric. I'm not really into camo all that much but I bought this fabric probably because it was on sale knowing me. I can't really remember to be honest.

When I received it in the mail, however, I fell in love. It's so girly and the colors are vibrant. I think it will remain vibrant after many washings.

Pattern is from Ottobre, 3/08, #12, size 110cm.

This is the shirt that gave me fits yesterday

See? I told you it was just a simple peasant top.

I think it turned out cute even after pulling out and re-doing all the shirring. The body of the shirt was shirred too tightly after the first attempt. I pulled that out and went with a blue ribbon (same color as the bow in the photo) across the front that tied in back. It was very cute and then I pressed the shirt after it was done. Can you see where I'm going with this?

Yeah, the iron was too hot for the ribbon and it melted it a little bit. I couldn't believe how dumb I was. So I got my trusty seam ripper and took the ribbon off. I decided to go back to the 2 lines of shirring for future practicality purposes and rewound the elastic thread on the bobbin to be a bit looser. After that I was *finally* done and glad for it!

This pattern is from Ottobre 1/2007, #16, size 110cm. I modified it a bit to lengthen it and did away with all the lines of shirring (how many times in the last two posts can I say shirring?) at the bottom.

Capes and more capes!

When I was laying in bed the other night, not able to fall asleep, I was thinking about what I could put in the treat bags for the kids coming to my kids' birthday party. I didn't want to put candy or junky plastic things made in China that would get lost or broken within 10 minutes.

I thought about how cool it would be to make capes for them, but since it was only a couple of days away I figured it was too late. Surely I wouldn't have time to sew them up with family coming to town and all that.

Well, today we were at the craft store and the satin happened to be on sale and in a moment of craziness I decided to go for it! So here they are - five reversible capes. It's not my best sewing, but it was among my fastest! One is for my daughter so it's a more girly purple.

I'm sure tomorrow will be a flurry of 4 & 5 year olds running around like lunatics. But they'll have something to take with them that will last and provide lots and lots of fun and an outlet for their imaginations!

(Pattern is from Ottobre Design, 4/04 issue)

Ottobre Design

One popular magazine dedicated to children's clothing designs is Ottobre Design. I have found that a subscription is very much worth the cost, especially when sewing for more than one child. Since I do sew at least half of their clothes these days it's always great to have inspiration and new patterns on hand.

You can view inside every one of their issues online, find some free patterns, and even subscribe online if you wish. Pattern sizing is a little different being a European magazine, but not hard to follow. Sizes in each issue range from newborn to teenager and there are probably 30-40 patterns in each issue! A couple of times a year they have a women's issue as well.

You can order individual issues either from Ottobre or stateside from Sewzanne's Fabrics (super fast shipping!). Ordering from Sewzanne's also helps a WAHM!

If you do decide to get into Ottobre sewing, make sure you check out the Ottobre Flickr group as well as the Ottobre Yahoo group.