Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ottobre 03/2008-8 - the "Peasant" shirt

I'm not sure why Otto calls this one the "Peasant" shirt.  I think it's pretty classy!
Cute, eh?  I hope it still fits him at Easter!  It's a little big right now, so I think I got the size right.  I guess we'll see how fast he grows.
The pattern is #8 from the 03/2008 issue of Ottobre.  It isn't an exact match for Logan's shirt, and I thought about altering it to make them identical, but I decided that would be a little too matchy-matchy.  I'd rather they just coordinated.  There are a few things that I wish I had transferred though.  This shirt was much simplified, which made it easy to sew, but I think it lacks a bit.  There is no back yoke or button bands and the hem is straight rather than a more traditional shirt tail hem.
The details I did like were the cuff plackets and the bias cut pockets with flaps.  I kinda wish I had cut the flaps on the bias, but they are still cute on grain.  The cuff plackets were done a little differently in the pattern, and I have to say, I wasn't a fan.  The pattern called for the underlap to just be narrow hemmed.
As you can see, I bound it in a more traditional way.  In fact, I just used the directions from Logan's shirt.  Overall, I am happy with the shirt, since it was quite easy, but if I make it again, I think I'll draft a yoke and front bands.  I just prefer the look that way.
I got a lot of comments about the snap setter I used on the last shirt, so I thought I'd tell you about it.
Here it is!  Crazy simple - just 3 pieces of plastic.  For such a useful tool, I thought it was really inexpensive.  At SewBaby, where I got mine, they are only 9 dollars, and adapters for other sizes are 3.50.
Here is how it works.  You start by putting the prong side of the snap into a depression on the base of the tool.  Put your fabric in place on the snap.  I found it helped to push the prongs into the fabric a little, especially if there were multiple layers. Then you place the second piece of the tool which holds your fabric in place and aligns the snap to the base.  You drop the appropriate snap into the hole, then put on the cover, and hammer the snap together.  The cover has a circle that shows you where to hit.  The instructions that came with the snap setter were great.  The only thing that I found was that with my little girlie hammer (and girlie arms) I had to hit between 6-8 times to get the snap to really hold together.  The instructions only say 2.
I do have a few words of caution.
The first is to be sure that you protect the surface that you are pounding your snaps on.  This is my hubby's workbench, so I didn't bother, and you can see the little circles created by the press.  Just putting a magazine or the yellow pages underneath is sufficient.
Second, if you are using pearl snaps, be sure to get the correct adapter.  For the first shirt, it wasn't a problem, but after a while, I started cracking snaps.  I'll be ordering the adapter before I put the snaps on Myra's dress.
Overall, I think this is an awesome too, and I know I'll be using it a ton!

15 comments:

Cindy said...

Definitely Cute! That's the same kind of snap setter I used for K's Meet Up Tunic. I was impressed by how easy it is to use and definitely had fun pounding those snaps in!

Sam Rose said...

You stay classy Duncan. I am going to have to order one of those tools. Thanks for talking about it. Fabulous shirt for such a cute little guy.

Julia said...

You are right, it is a classy shirt! I've got to get my snap thingy soon!

BConky said...

That tiny shirt is so cute. But your son is adorable. What a sweet smile.

Marjie said...

First, I have to say that he looks like one happy baby! The shirt is adorable, and I agree that snaps are so much more convenient on children's clothing. They don't have the dexterity to deal with all those buttons yet, and poor Mom doesn't have that much time!

I have a snap tool, too, and it is a wonderful thing. I've never tried out pearl snaps; they look very nice.

Beth said...

What a great smile for the camera! He's darling! Can't wait to see the whole fam.

Ann Made Studio said...

He is adorable :)

Sascha said...

He's gotten so big! Also, I almost bought this snap setter after you posted it but I will wait until I actually have a project that requires snaps. I'm prone to collecting things.

michal said...

just when I thought there are no cute outfits for baby boys :-)
so adorable!

Kristy Chan said...

I've never seen a snap setter like that - I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for one. I'm so glad I've picked up a few Ottobre magazines, if I can make something half as cute as this shirt I'll be very happy!

gwensews said...

I love tht big boy shirt on an infant. So cute!

amber said...

First, your son is Adorable!! You guys make some seriously cute kids. :)

If you're looking for another good shirt pattern, I can't recommend the Oliver+S Sketchbook shirt enough. Well drafted and great instructions. Not that you need them, but I found them very handy. ;)

Big in Japan said...

Excellent pairing- cute shirt and cute baby! I love the proportions of baby clothes, Ottobre's line drawings for baby clothes are the best.

Andrea @ TheTrainToCrazy.com said...

I love that shirt. So cute and not a peasant shirt at all!

Anonymous said...

I love this! The gingham is so adorably sweet, and the pearl snaps are a perfect touch!

Do you know if there are adapters for other sized snaps besides the pearl snaps? I've resolved that my next trip to DF needs to yield a snap setter after throwing out so many ruined snaps.