Ottobre 03/2004-29 Faux fur jacket - Jungle style!

We've had some chilly weather around here lately. Myra has a nice warm wool coat that I made her last year. Sadly, she has decided that she is too sophisticated for a pointy gnome hood... Fortunately, I had a piece of faux fur that was just the right size for a Myra coat.

She loves it so much that she refused to take it off after I gave it to her. She even wore it over her nightgown when she got ready for bed. I'm so happy that she loves it! Faux fur and satin are an unholy combination. There was a significant amount of seam ripping, and I even managed to sew my finger trying to get this bulky stuff to feed.

But all is forgiven, because it really is adorable. The pattern I used is from the 03/2004 issue of Ottobre. It is designed for faux fur, so the sleeve cap is quite low and has no ease. There isn't any shaping in the body, which works for this bulky fabric. The wrists and top of the hood are fitted with elastic, which makes them even cozier.

Size-wise, I made it a size larger than she usually wears, and patterns from this era of Ottobre tend to have more ease than the more current ones. As a result, it is large on her, and I'm hoping it will still fit her next winter, since we don't have a whole lot of winter left this season.

The coat is lined to the edge with hot pink crepe back satin. It's nice thick satin, which should serve to block the wind. The fur itself is quite thick, with a heavy knitted backing, so the two layers together are plenty warm for our climate.

Myra is particularly enamored of the round patch pockets. I lined them with the pink satin, and she loves how soft they are. Overall, this coat is a total win. And thanks to Myra's love of all things animal print, we're still on for Jungle January!!

Ottobre 03/2004-17 toddler dress pants

It's been a while since this cute face has graced the blog. Poor Duncan just happens to have hit the size range where I really sewed a ton for Logan, so he has many hand-me-downs to destroy before I need to sew for him. Even the shirt he's wearing is one I sewed for Logan. You can see it here.

Except in the area of dress pants. Logan is really hard on dress pants for some reason! As a result, the ones that survived to be passed on didn't have much life left in them, and Duncan has finished the job of wearing them out.

So, I pulled out Ottobre 03/2004-17, which I had made for Logan when he was this size, so the pattern was already traced. The version in the magazine has a ton of decorative panels, which I skipped since these are church pants.

The fabric is a wool/poly blend suiting that I've been slowly using up for little boy dress pants. I started out with 3 yards, and am now down to just Barbie sized scraps. Yay for stashbusting!

It does have a real "big-boy" zipper fly, but with elastic throughout the waistband for comfort. I was using supplies from my stash, so the zipper is too light colored, but the fly is nice and deep, so you can't see it when worn. It closes with a snap rather than a button. Easier for all concerned.

The pockets are very low profile, but I did line them with a fun Cars print quilting cotton. Mater sees you!

The only problem is that they are ridiculously too long. My Duncan is not a tall boy. I was thrilled at his last checkup when he finally made it onto the growth curve. Despite taking off nearly an inch in the hemming stages, I still need to shorten them more.

Despite the length, they fit really well in back. The elastic snugs them up nicely back there and the fabric has a nice smooth drape.

He's a whole lost faster when I roll them up! Slow down kid. Mom needs a picture.

Ottobre 03/2004-20 sweatpants

My jeans are just a few stitches away from done (just belt loops and hems), but there was a sewing emergency when Logan blew the knees out of the third pair of pants this week. I asked him if he wanted to go get new pants at Target (He had nothing else to wear to school today.), but he said no. He needs me to make them. Awwww.

Of course, I couldn't refuse his plea, so I burnt a little midnight oil last night making up Ottobre 03/2004, model 20.

This is a very basic pattern, but that really is what Logan prefers, so that works out for me. I used a nice soft fleece backed sweatshirting for the pant. The pattern calls for poplin for the pocket lining and facing, so I used a fun quilting cotton with a Thomas the Train print.

Logan likes his Thomas pockets.

The pocket design is actually pretty fun, as there is a small cutout in front that allows the printed lining to peek out intentionally. I managed to position it so that Thomas is visible on both sides.

In back, the pattern has two pocket options, either a patch pocket or a zippered welt. Since I was strapped for time, I just slapped on the patch pocket, but Logan really liked the welt pocket when I showed him the picture in the magazine, so I'll make him another pair with that detail.

Pants are tricky for Logan, as he has some sensory issues, so trying out a new pattern is always risky, but he really likes these, so happily we've found a winner that I can use for a while. This style is drafted all the way up to size 170! Yay!

Ottobre 03/2004-9 & 03/2011-20

These two patterns are old favorites, so I don't have much to say about them.

This is the fifth version of this top, which I have now made in three different sizes. You can see the other versions here, here and here. I cannot be responsible for any deaths from cuteness if you click that first link...

The skirt is an old favorite as well. This will be my fourth make of it, and the second size. The prior versions are here, here and here.

While I've made this top many times, this is the first time I've made it since I got my serger and coverstitch machine, and boy, what a difference that made! It was lightning fast to sew! I thought about using my binder on the neckline, but I really like the wide band, so I used to chainstitch function on my coverstitch to do a single line of topstitching.

The fabrics I used are both single jersey, but pretty different. The solid coral is a rayon jersey that was left over from a top that my mother made. It is so soft and silky, but also fairly hefty. The polka dot is a cotton jersey from Girl Charlee. It is a little on the thinner side, but still paired fairly well with the beefier rayon.

Lest you think I am an evil, abusive mother who forces her child out in the freezing snow just for blog photos, it was totally her idea. And we're thawing. It's actually really nice outside, as long as you stay in the sun.

Ottobre 03/2004-13 top and 03/2011-20 patchwork skirt

At Sewing Summit, there was a whole lot of quilting going on. As you all know, I am more emphatically NOT a quilter. While I admire the beauty of a well pieced top, I do not have the patience for perfect corners. But last year, we got these cute charm packs from Oliver & S. So this year, I took advantage of some of the open sewing time at Sewing Summit (where I was surrounded by amazing quilters) to attempt a little simple strip piecing.

Which I made into a skirt, because that is what I do.

I pieced the strips totally randomly, interspersing the Oliver & S charm squares with some Kona cotton solid squares that were also part of our swag last year. Then I gathered the strips like tiers into a twirly ruffled skirt.I used the "Funky Stripes" skirted leggings pattern from the 03/2011 issue of Ottobre to make a pair of little shorts for under the skirt (just like this one) and attached the skirt and shorts to the elastic waistband per the pattern. I bound the hem rather than turning it under, partly to preserve the length, but also because I thought it gave it a quilt-y sort of look that was fun with the patchwork.

Naturally, a new skirt needs a new top. And I had a couple of charm squares left. The top pattern is from the 03/2004 issue of Ottobre. I really love my older issues for great basic shapes. This top has a slight a-line and the sleeves have a bit of a flare that is accentuated with a tiny bit of shirring below the elbow. For the applique, I just turned the three squares on the bias. They came already pinked, so I just left them raw and stitched around them just inside the pinking with a narrow zigzag.

Myra was not in the mood for pictures today, but a little help from Duncan and at least she didn't scowl at me. As I have noted with prior early Otto patterns, the top did run a little wide. I just used a wider seam allowance in the body, but left the extra volume in the sleeves. It still has a pretty loose fit.

Linked up over at The Train to Crazy, Make it Wear it blog party!

Ottobre 03/04-7&8, 06/08-2

Thanks to all who chimed in about magazines. On reflection, I realize that I have browsed through a few issues of Sew News at B&N and Joann and have never picked an issue up, which tells me I probably wouldn't be too interested in a subscription. I think I'll just stick to Threads and Otto for now and keep up with the fashion part of Burdastyle through their website. Google translate can be pretty funny.

In sewing news, I delivered the baby gift this weekend, so I get to show it to you now.

My friend favors more classic looks for her kids over frilly and ruffly, and when I was hunting the stash for a completely different reason, I saw this corduroy and I knew it was going to have to be a pinafore for her newest little princess. This will be girl number 3, but the first one to be born in a cold climate, so I thought she could use more cold weather clothing for her.

The underlayer is a long tee and leggings made from a soft ponte knit left over from this dress. I can personally attest to its comfort and snuggliness. The tee is made from the 03/04 issue of Ottobre, and I made it for Myra here. The leggings are from the 06/08 issue (which I happened to have out as I was tracing). They are basic leggings, pretty much identical to the pair in the 04/04 issue that I used when I made this for Myra.

For the button loop, I used a clear hair elastic, which I've seen done by several other bloggers. What a great idea! It was so easy and looks great.

The pinafore is from the 03/2004 issue of Ottobre. I made it for Myra a couple of Christmases ago. You can see that version here. The pattern calls for elastic at the hem on the sides, but I found that interfered with diaper changes, so I left it out. I think it is pretty darn cute with the A line skirt instead. I LOVE the pleated pockets. Alas, the aren't very visible in this busy print. I topstitched with Mettler Poly Sheen thread in the hopes that the topstitching would be visible, but it pretty much disappears, too.
Overall, I'm pleased with how well it turned out. I hope that Laurie and Baby V love it, too!

Simplicity 2290 and Ottobre 03/2004-19 (and Otto 06/2009-3)

My sewing group at church just started working on PJ pants.  We're using Simplicity 2290, which is a part of their Learn To Sew line.  Thanks to Beth for recommending this pattern to me.  It is really great for learning the basics!  The instructions are very complete and clear, and the diagrams are bigger and easier to understand.  For this one pattern piece pants pattern there are 6 pages of instructions!  The pattern comes with all sizes from child size 4-5 up to adult XL in one envelope, which is nice.  I had this cute duckie flannel that was calling to be PJ pants for Logan.

Naturally, I couldn't stop at just pants.  Those duckies are too cute!  So I traced off Ottobre 03/2004-19, which is a basic sweatshirt pattern with bands at neckline and wrists and a stitched hem.

Ottobre appliqued their version with a fish motif, but I went with an octogon.  Logan has a bit of an obsession with polygons right now.  I used self fabric for the neck and wrist bands, partly because matching this particular shade of red was impossible, but also because the fleece is so soft and snuggly.

The fabric is more of the Black Friday fleece from Hancock.  Logan chose this dark red and told me he wanted me to make a shirt.  My turnaround time with this fleece purchase has been really fast!!  I haven't even had a chance to put it in the closet yet and already have made 3 garments from it!

Because of course, the Wee Professor needed a mini version to match his big brother!  For the wee one I reused Ottobre 06/2009-3.  Instead of binding the neckline, I just added an allowance and did a turned and stitched hem.  The fleece is already so bulky, I didn't want to add more layers of ribbing.  I'll be working on the mini PJ pants at sewing group on Tuesday!

Ottobre 03/2004-9

I'm taking a little break from the holiday sewing to fill some wardrobe holes for Myra.  My poor little princess is ill prepared for the chilly weather - and has no long sleeve tees.  So I pulled out a favorite from last year - Ottobre 03/2004-9, the wrap front tee.

I made her two versions of this tee last winter, and they were perfect!

This time I added a little stretch lace to the neckline band.  I love that there are so many opportunities to embellish this otherwise simple tee.

The fabric is a bamboo jersey that my mother used to make this top, and then sent me the rest.  I still have quite a bit left, so Myra will likely get a springtime dress once the weather warms up again.

It's a nice color on her!  The neckline is a bit more snug than she needs - I think I'll just whack of the seam allowances on the neckline and band for the next time I make it.  No worries getting it over her giant head, thanks to the wrap.

Ottobre 03/2004-17 refashion

Poor Logan just hasn't gotten much representation in the sewing room lately.  But, now that I'm thinking and sewing fall, you'll be seeing more for him!  His greatest need is long pants, so I want to sew up a few in quick fashion, but still wanted some cuteness.  Enter the refashion...  Mitch had an old pair of aeropostale khakis that he couldn't wear, but still had plenty of usable fabric in them.  So, now Logan has a pair of khakis!

They are a little big on him.  I had to roll the waistband to keep them up, although perhaps the elastic just needs to spring back into shape, so we'll see what they look like after a wash.

I used Ottobre 03/2004-17 for the basic pants pattern and the waistband/back pockets.  What I really liked about this design is that despite the zip fly (which looks cool) it still has a mostly elasticated waistband, which makes for easier potty breaks.  Logan is very independent in this regard!

I preserved the original side seams and hems, so I didn't do all of the piecing, hip pockets or back yoke of the original design.  I did make the mistake of trying out Ottobre's fly zip method.  What???  I was all over confused and ended up with a little dimple at the base of the zipper.  Grrr.  Of course, Logan will never notice, but I know.  Next time I'll stick with my standby Sandra Betzina/Jalie method.

I also managed to salvage the original zipper, buttons and belt loops!  So, besides thread and a jeans needle, I purchased nothing for these pants!  And I didn't have to make belt loops, which I find tedious and unrewarding.  I don't have a coverstitch with a belt loop attachment, so they never look as even as RTW.

I'm pretty happy with how well these went together (despite the zipper!).  Logan declares that he likes them, so I think I'll be making them again, this time with pockets, yokes - the whole works!  But perhaps a little less elastic in the waistband...

Ottobre 03/2004-9 in record time

Our oldest friends from here in Temple invited us over for dessert Saturday night.  This isn't an unusual invite, so I thought nothing of it, but Mitch was wise and called to see if there was an "occasion".  Somehow, I had forgotten that their littlest daughter had turned 2!!  Need a present.  Have two hours.  What's a girl to do?  Well, I'll be honest, I was all for rockin' a trip to Target, but Mitch had more confidence in me.  "Why don't you make her one of those cute cross over tee shirts that you made for Myra?  Use this fabric!"  In two hours?!?!?

Heh.  One hour and 20 minutes actually, but the pattern was already traced, since L is Myra's size but tall. After I finished, I felt it lacked a certain je ne sais quoi, so I tacked the pink bow to center front.  I think it turned out pretty cute!  I hope she enjoys it!

And after this obvious win for Ottobre - I decided it was seriously time to subscribe already.  So, it's official.  I'm an Ottobre girl.  Can't wait to get my first issue!!!

Ottobre 03/2004-7

I managed to get this little cutie done just in time for Christmas!

I originally intended to make it out of the vintage corduroy that my mother gave me, but I just couldn't bring myself to cut it for an untried pattern.   I have been in love with Vintage Dots forever, so when I saw some in corduroy at Hobby Lobby I snatched it up.  It's perfect for this little pinafore.

How cute is this little pocket?!  Myra has been tucking cars into it all morning.   This pattern has a lot of sweet little details, like the pleated, beaded pocket.  The hemline has elastic sewn in at the sides, which gives it a sweet shape.  All of the seams are topstitched.  It isn't obvious, since I used cream thread, but it is a nice touch.  The only thing I might change for the next time would be the straps.  They're hemmed on all sides, and I think I'd have preferred to make them as loops so there wasn't an underside.

But Myra's happy!  Bring on the presents!!