Ottobre + Ananda = One Smooth Criminal

This year is probably the last year that Duncan won't have an opinion about his Halloween costume, so I kind of struggled with what to make for him.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that Duncan is something of an escape artist. We talked about several variations on that theme, but finally settled on classic jailbird stripes.

It's also a plus that this is basically a sweatsuit with stripes. Super comfy and cozy for trick or treating or just hanging around the cell block.

The shirt is from the 01/2010 issue of Ottobre. I made the size 98 because I already had it traced and his 92s are all too small. It looks like the sleeves are a little long, but I kinda like the ragamuffin look it gives.

The pants are my new favorite comfy kids pant, the Ananda. They are so comfy and go together so quickly. And since they don't have side seams, I only had to match the stripes on the inseam and crotch. Bonus!

I made the waistband (and the cuffs and neckband of the shirt) from a white rib knit. I wish it had slightly better recovery, as the pants got a little saggy with wear, but I think that was also because I hemmed them a little too long so he was stepping on them.

Wasn't it nice of him to mark the new hemline with mud? Considerate kid, I tell ya.

Even though this is "just" a costume, I did go to the trouble of matching the stripes across the seams. I didn't have quite enough fabric to match the stripes across the sleeves, but he moves so much, I don't think anyone would be able to tell either way.

The fabric I used is a soft sweatshirt fleece from Nature's Fabrics. You may have noticed that it isn't the traditional black and white stripe. I could pretend that I did that on purpose so that he could get more wear out of the ensemble, but the honest truth is that I just wasn't paying attention. I still think it gets the point across and he actually will at least be able to wear the sweatshirt after Halloween, so whatever.

Better move fast, Copper! He's outta here! And as you all know, #childproofingisfutile .

Emma's Winter SWAP: Outfit #1

Since I only have one little girl child, and her wardrobe is immense and mostly handmade, I've been in the habit of passing down Myra's clothes to her sweet little cousin. It makes me happy to think that the item that I crafted are of use to her. This winter, Myra has apparently been unusually hard on her clothes, so there wasn't much to send. I decided to take this week to make a few things just for Emma and to try my hand at my first kid SWAP (sewing with a plan).

And here is Emma's first outfit! I think it turned out really cute. Each piece was intended to be a useful individual wardrobe basic as well, so hopefully she can mix and match them a bit.

The first thing I made was the red tee. It is a simple long sleeve, cuffed tee. The pattern (and all of the patterns for this outfit) comes from the 01/2010 issue of Ottobre. This is style #22. It's a great wardrobe basic. Emma is an icy blonde, so I thought this saturated pinky-red would compliment her coloring.

Of course, I couldn't stop at "basic" and added a line of hot-fix crystals to the neckline. Every girl likes a little bling!

Since Emma lives in a colder climate, I also wanted to make her some layering pieces. I was thrilled that I had enough of this awesome cheetah corduroy to make this jacket! The pattern is # 19 from the aforementioned Ottobre. I lengthened the sleeves for warmth.

I also added some curved patch pockets. Kids need pockets.

The edges are finished with a topstitched facing. I like the clean lines this gives. I used covered snaps for the closure. I really agonized over the closures and went back and forth over several options. So, I did what any Sewcialist would do - I polled Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The vote was unanimous in favor of the snaps! And I love them. Thanks, y'all!!

The final piece in the SWAP which works with both outfits, is a basic pair of pants. This is design #13, a simple elastic pant which I've made twice for Myra. I love the shape of it. I made this out of a wool poly suiting with a thick, sweatery feel. It's really the loveliest fabric and should keep Emma nice and cozy. You'll be seeing more of it, since both Myra and Logan requested pants from it when they saw Emma's!

Satshbusting bonus - except for the snaps on the cheetah jacket, every single thing for this ENTIRE SWAP came from my stash!!! Woo hoo!!

Ottobre 03/2013-22 jeans

Now that cooler weather is upon us, Duncan is in need of some long pants. I prefer an elastic waist pant, just for ease of diaper changes, but a sturdy pair of jeans is a wardrobe essential!

Fortunately, they summer issue of Ottobre this year included a pair of slim fit jeans with an elastic waist! As you can see, we are thrilled!

The pattern is #22 from the 03/2013 issue, which Ottobre made up in fun colored denim. I decided to go with a more traditional jean for this pair.

I added a teeny tiny coin pocket, but all the other jeans details were already there, including topstitching instructions and rivet placement.

In back, a shaped yoke and big back pockets, ready for you to embellish and make your own. How awesome is that skull jersey?? You'll be seeing it again soon...

For the topstitching, I went with a dark grey color, to coordinate with the purple skulls. Regular jeans gold didn't go as well. I really like the effect and how well it coordinates with the bright silver rivets.

I did make two alterations for fit. Since the pattern was made to be cuffed, and my guy is not tall, I shortened the legs a total of 3 inches. I like the length as it is, but I didn't leave much room to grow. Live and learn.

The other alteration I made was to provide some diaper room. This pattern is in the "Big Kids" size range, so it doesn't include that. I just added 1/2 inch to the top of the back at the yoke seam, tapering to nothing at the side seams. This gives more curve over the back, which provides coverage and allows the pant to hug the back waist nicely.

I'm pleased with the fit in back. My addition gave him the room he needed, without making the pant baggy.

Functioning pockets are a must in any boys clothing! I'm pretty sure he's collecting gravel in this one. I lined the pockets with some Echino helicopters I had a few small scraps of.

The main fabric of the jeans is stretch denim left over from a pair of my jeans. I'm thrilled that this project was such a great stashbuster! All of the fabrics were left over from other projects! Free jeans!

He wore them all day, and played hard. This pattern is definitely a winner! And it is graded in all three of my kids' sizes! You'll definitely be seeing it again.

Ottobre 01/2010-13 & 22

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes! I really had such a great day and I'm looking forward to sewing up some fun new things.

I took a little detour from the items that I had planned to sew while we waited for our belongings to follow us from Texas. They still aren't here, so I don't have my serger or coverstitcher, but Myra really needed some warm PJs. The kids sleep in the basement and it gets quite chilly at night. The problem was that all of my stash, both fabric and patterns are still on a truck in Texas.(Side note: North American Van Lines was our mover and I DO NOT recommend them. We have been getting the run around about when our stuff is coming for weeks.) Fortunately, I had brought one issue of Ottobre, and fabric shopping is great around here.

Yeah, they aren't a perfect match, but I was shopping the remnants bin and beggars can't be choosers. the patterns are both from the 01/2010 issue of Ottobre. The top is long sleeve tee #22 and the pants are #13, which I have made for her before, albeit in a much smaller size and not as jammies.

I don't have much to say about the patterns. The pants have a nice shape and fit well, although I did make Myra a larger size than she currently wears in hopes that she can wear these through the winter. I did raise the waistline a little on this version as she had some gapping the last time. The tee is your basic long sleeve tee with cuffs. I love the way that Ottobre's cuffs are shaped. Very cozy. I had plenty of fleece so I did go to the trouble of matching that dominant black area across the body and sleeves. That was probably overkill for PJs, but I knew it would drive me crazy if I didn't.

The verdict? She likes them and they keep her warm. That's pretty much all I ask of jammies. And, I have a new long sleeve tee pattern to use! Sweet.