Cozy dress.

It's that time of year again, Kids Clothes Week.  While I try most weeks to knock a few things out, I usually push myself this week to make at least one thing for each kid.  

So I started off easy, well, somewhat easy.  Ottobres are always a beast to trace.  I made #13 from the 4/2015 magazine in a cozy, soft french terry. I made size 104cm, which as far as I can tell translates pretty well to a 5t, that's the size I have started to buy for them (if I buy) from RTW.

It was a really easy sew, and she absolutely loves it.  Again, the part that took the longest and most thought was tracing off the pattern.

Pockets were a major plus in her book.  I used the wrong side of the FT for the pockets, cuffs and neckband.  The fit is a little big on her, but since she and Elizabeth still fight over clothes I made it big enough for Iz, too.

Now I have the internal debate, make another because I love it that much, or move on to another pattern as I have so.many.patterns.?

Moustache pants.

This little guy could use some more bottoms and I have a few prints in my stash waiting for the perfect pattern.  I wanted something sort of baggy with cuffs, I wasn't too particular other than that. I found myself on pinterest and etsy this morning when it hit me, Ottobre.  I have had a subscription for a while now, but it's more eye candy than anything to me.  I really need to use them more often.  So I went through my stack and found something to experiment with before I cut in to my 'good' fabric.   

I used the 3/2013 #4 Summer Sea.

I had literally just enough of this fabric to cut out the 80cm size.  I have used it in the past for Jack and he loves it, he was sad when he outgrew the tee and hoodie.  

The only thing I didn't love was how high the waistband goes up, but it doesn't but me enough to figure out how to modify it.

They are a harem style, and while I never actually thought I would make my kids this style, I don't hate it.  In fact I kind of love them on him.

The pant piece is only one piece of fabric, cut on the fold and sewn together in the back and inseam.  It took me a minute while looking at the pattern piece and instructions to wrap my head around how it would work out, but once I cut the fabric it was obvious and quite genius.

I constructed the pants and wasitband as instructed, but just folded the cuffs in half rather than add elastic to them too.

Swing top.

I am not sure how much I will get sewn this week (in case you're out of the loop somehow, it's Kids Clothes Week Challenge again!), but I am going to try!  We are currently working on an additional bedroom (yay!) and regular house/kids things always seem to get in the way, but that's life! 

So I started with something really easy, and most important, useful in the closet.  

I made #21 from the current issue of Ottobre Design (1-2014) size 92cm.  I knew the 92cm would be a little big, but that was the smallest size they offered.  It is also supposed to be a long sleeved shirt, but being she was in shorts yesterday I shortened the sleeves.

I used 17 inches for the neck binding (for my notes) and that was way too much, it gapes quite a bit, but I am hoping a good wash will help a little.  Once you put something on the twins, you don't take it off until bedtime unless you want all hell to break loose.

I really like the shape of the top, it reminds me a lot of the ones I made here and here, I am sure if I used a lighter weight knit it would drape better too.  I think it's pretty cute on her, despite the gaping neckline.

Little goldfish romper.

I have been wanting to sew a romper for the twins, I neaaarly bought a pattern the other night then a friend (Cindy, hello there!) was talking about sewing a romper from Ottobre.  Duh!  So I went through my magazines and found two.  Score.  I started with one in 3/2012, #1 Little goldfish romper.  I have only sewn from the magazines a handful of times so I was unsure which size to sew, I went with 86cm but that was a little too big.  Better than being too small though, right? Yes!

 



 

Also, I used a pink gingham and that was a mistake.  The pattern calls for poplin lined with gingham, but ya know, I thought I could get away with it.  Fail.  It is fine everywhere but the front panel, it tends to flop down.  Though, that could be because it is a little too big.  Time will tell. 

Oh, it is way too big for Georgia, but she was just rocking it so perfectly (the shirt is also too big, poor girl!).  Sparkly shoes? Check.  Upside down sunglasses? Check.  Cute little smile and adorable attitude? Double check!

The leg elastic was based more on Iz, though a little big for her too for growing room. 

It has cute crossed straps with an extra little strap to keep them crossed. 

See about the front?  I am going to use a heavier fabric (quilting cotton) and make it a size smaller, maybe keep the length though because they are both tall.  Not too bad for a first go! 

Simple skirts.

I have been lacking inspiration lately *sigh*.   Usually I have a project going, my next one fully planned and the next in the brainstorming stage.  Not this last week or so.  Hm.  So these items are all a bit boring and uninspired, but what ya gonna do?  As I was sewing them I thought, *I should have made them flat front* *I should have figured out some kind of pocket* *I should add some trim* Meh.  Sometimes simple is good. 

 

 

I fell in love with this fabric when I made four skirts with it, one for engagement pictures for a friend and three for her bridesmaids at the reception.  And I bought this yardage clear back then (nearly a year ago) and it waited to be made in to something pretty.


So when the twins woke up I tried to get them to take a picture together, first sitting down.

But Georgia didn't like the sound of that and instead insisted on petting Elizabeth.

So I finally got her to sit down and got lots of pictures like this.  So, why not stand up?

Because then this happened.  Elizabeth just wasn't digging it.

That's alright, we'll go with a headless picture.  The leggings are from Ottobre 6/2012, Ruusunpuna leggings (80cm).  I previously made a stack of these so I knew they would work for what I wanted.  Since you would be able to see the seam I wanted it to be on the inside so not as visible.  They are a little long and the hems are more stretchy than the other pairs so they sit lower on her foot than the others.  Just means they'll last the summer, right?

I kind of like this one.  (she was still crying... and wouldn't give up the blanket, monkey or hairspray lid), it looks all artsy like I meant for it to be this way.

Then there is George.  She was the perfect little model and held so still for me:)  She mostly gave me a vacant stare slightly to the left, but she did look at me for a split second or so.

I did a single seam in the back, by cutting one of the gray strips off, same with the yellow skirt.  So, still nothing on my mind to be next, but I've got a night to think about it;)  Maybe get a head start on shorts for the oldest two?  Or some shirts for the twins... Izzy's belly is outgrowing most of hers...

Loads of leggings.

The twins have been needing some leggings to go under dresses and such, so I pulled out my two most recent Ottobres as they both had a legging pattern and got to work.  Well, the first one I totally screwed up.  My sweet friend Millie helped me figure out that I had traced of the completely wrong piece! I ruined a bit of the black and white stripe I had been saving for just the right thing.  Shoot.  So I worked out the right piece and it was such a quick, simple sew.  Gotta love those.  Then, I messed up again when I didn't realize I was to cut the second pattern's front piece on the fold.  Apparently I need Ottobre lessons... But I just constructed them differently than the instructions (obviously) and they went together just fine. 

 



 

 

The three on the left are 6/2012 #8 Ruusunpuna leggings and the two on the right are 4/2012 #2 Rainy sky.  Remember I made the Rainy sky once before?  These are all 80cm- for my notes:)

 

 

 

Doesn't big twin have the most kissable toes?  Her chubby feet are just too cute, imo.  These were made a few days ago, the rest were last night and this morning.  My twin needle bent! What?! Only one of the needles, it was weird.  But my awesome husband came to the rescue and stopped on his way home from work and picked up a few more.  He told me I was silly for only buying one at a time:) 

 



 

For George I have only tried on the Rainy sky and they are pretty roomy on her, but I kind of expected that being she fit in the 68cm last September.  Just means longer wear for her!  They have cute gathered knees and hand sewn bows at the hem.

 



 

 

I got my camera out and of course Elizabeth looks away, but Georgia was repeating "chis, chis" so I told her to go sit by her sister... and she did! If only they both didn't have snotty noses and bed hair I could have snapped my nice pic of them together in months! Oh well...

Rainy sky.

So what have I done with my Ottobre subscription? Not much, ha! Other than the one dress I made my magazines have sat in the corner. And I may have misplaced a few of the pattern sheets.  Oops.  So today I got out the 4/2012 meaning to make Abby leggings, but I ended up making a pair for the twins.  Well, turns out just small one. 

 

I made #2 Rainy sky with some jegging material I have had for ages.  I made hip size 68 with the length of 74.  They fit pretty good on George, but they are pretty tight at the ankles so there is no way they would stretch over Izzy's cute chubby feet.  It was a close one even with George.  But, that is my fault, I should have paid more attention and widened that bit.  Come to think of it, the fact that I forgot to add seam allowance probably paid a huge role in the fit at the ankle...

 



 

Also wearing her classic picnic top:)

Oh how I love these.  I have like 3 yards or so, so I will likely make another pair a bit bigger for Elizabeth.  Also, I did the elastic waistband before I tried it on either of them, so I made it right for Izzy (so big on George) and since it wont fit Iz I should take the elastic in a bit.  But we shall see, I am not really that bothered:)

What really sold me was the gathered knees and little bows on the ankles. AAH! So much cuteness!!

My first Ottobre.

After seeing many Ottobre creations in my flickr contacts stream, I decided to take the plunge and order one of the magazines to see how I liked it before I decided if I want to subscribe to it or not.
So, I received their current issue yesterday, and I am in love!! I have already traced off four items I am wanting to make asap:)  But I had to pick one to start with, but which one?? I went with #12 Kokeshi Doll Dress.  The little pleats did it for me, and though I screwed them up royally, I still love it.  And I now know what I did wrong on the pleats, and can fix it the next time around (I was too lazy to unpick everything as I had already sewn the facings on. 

I made size 80, the twins were both asleep when I finished but it looks about right for big twin at least.  Picking out the size to make was a bit stressful to me, I have no idea!! I googled inches to centimeters (hehe) and then also European to American size charts, and chose from there.  Big twin's chest measurement put her in 80, but neither of their waist measurements are even on the chart, how does that work?!  Plus, with other patterns companies that I have sewn before I know how they fit and can choose a size based on that.  So, I picked something that was taking up space in my stash in case it didn't work out:)  P.s. I now feel justified calling her big twin, they had their one year check up on Wednesday and she weighs 4 pounds 4 ounces more than tiny twin! 

Though I did mess up the pleats, and the lining isn't sticking out from the bottom of the dress like the picture in the magazine, I am satisfied with my first attempt at Ottobre. First a few Oliver + S family reunion tops then on to more from the magazine! ... and perhaps a new subscription is in my future...