Little boy pants

I fell in love with these pants the minute I saw them:
Ottobre 6/08
#11 "Goofy Tweed Pants"
Size: 62 waist, 80 length
Material: Polyester Suiting


I decided to make a pair for a little boy I know. Too bad my 4 year old is to big for this particular pattern. I think they are adorable. I really wanted to make them in a brown just like in the picture. I think brown lends this pair of pants a vintage flair.

Unfortunately I've only got one decent fabric store nearby, and their wool section is rather small. They had wool advertised at 50% off when I went looking for fabric for these pants, but even at 50% it would have still been $9 per yard!

So I was browsing around and I found this pretty heather gray suiting fabric for only $3.97 per yard. I only ended up needing 3/4 yard so the total cost would have been $3. Unfortunately there was an incident. I was so excited to get started so I came home traced out my pattern, and cut out all my pattern pieces. I did all of this on my living room coffee table, then I went off to my sewing room for some notion and left all my stuff out. Next thing I know I hear my son saying, "Mom E... got your scissors!" I yelled "NOOO!!! E...! NOOO!!!" as I come stumbling out of my sewing room (I keep a baby gate across the door to keep the kids and dogs out.) In a short time my daughter had made 3 cuts into the fabric!

So I had to go back to the fabric store for another $3 worth of fabric!

OK here are the pics:

Front
Back

I still need to add buttons to the leg cuffs, but I'm afraid of ruining them! I might just chicken out and do black snaps instead. My sewing machine is not reliable when it comes to buttonholes. I will do a practice run and everything will be great. When I go to do it on the garment, I can usually only make 1 or 2 buttonholes before my machine starts going crazy and will shorten one side of the button hole!

Another Capelet

I made this capelet for a trade with NuxieMade. Her only requirements where that it have pink and a cat applique. This is what I came up with:

My favorite part is the pink gingham ribbon. My daughter (2)saw it and said "oh is that my pink cat one?" I had to break it to her that it was not for her!

This is:
Ottobre 06/08
#22A "Little Rosy Cape"
Size 116/122 (about a 5-7)
Material: fleece with cat applique


NuxieMade has got the most adorable hats I have ever seen! She makes them in the most awesome color combinations! This is the hat she is making for my daughter and I can't wait to get it! Support another Stay at Home Mom and shop at Nuxiemade for your Christmas gifts! She can even custom make hats in adult sizes!





Oh and those awesome photographs were taken by www.karamayphotography.com

Swallow Capelet

Here is my first capelet:




Ottobre 06/08
#22A "Little Rosy Cape"
Size 116/122 (about a 2-4)
Material: fleece with flannel applique


I love how quickly this pattern came together. It is basically 3 pieces, 2 for the hood and 1 for the cape. I did not add seam allowances to this particular pattern and sewed it together using a 1/4" seam. Since fleece does not fray, you do not need to finish the seams. These are generously sized and should fit for at least 2 years.

Ottobre magazine

I have been a subscriber to Ottobre magazine for the last 2 years. It always amazes me how many people have never heard of Ottobre. My kids always get tons of compliments on their "Ottobre" clothes.

The magazine is great and every issue is chock full of eye-candy. But before you plop down your hard earned money here are a few things you should know.

1) Price: It may seem like an expensive magazine at approximately $50 (depending on the exchange rate) for 4 children's issues, however there are a handful of reasons why it is worth it.

2) The $50 includes shipping.

3) The magazine is printed 4 times a year (spring, summer, fall, winter

4) Each full color magazine includes approximately 40 different patterns. That's little more than $1 per pattern. I did that wrong! It's actually little more than $0.30 per pattern. (40 patterns x 4 issues = 160 patterns, $50/160 patterns = .3125)

5) Patterns range in size from newborn to teen. So even if you have a range of children in your home you'll have something for everyone.

6) Patterns are fun, stylish, comfortable, and modern.

7) There is at least 1 color photograph of each item if not more)

8) Patterns range in difficulty from beginner to experienced sewer.

9) Instructions are clearly written and explained, they are not illustrated.

10) Patterns are printed on 4-6 large sheets which you will have to trace out.

11) Patterns do not include seam allowances - you will have to add those when you trace your patterns.

12) The subscription is a standing subscription, which means that if you do not cancel 6 weeks before your subscription expires, your subscription is automatically renewed. This does NOT mean that they automatically charge your credit card. What they do is send you a renewal notice and then you send them payment for your renewal.


In my opinion the magazine is worth every penny, if you use it. At first it may seem a little daunting to see so many patterns but once you get the hang of tracing out your patterns it really is easy. There is plenty in each magazine to last you until your next issue! many of the patterns are timeless, so years from now when your newborn is a "big kid" you will find that the patterns are still stylish.

The instructions are clearly explained and even a beginner can make many of the patterns. In fact I find their instructions short, simple and clear as opposed to most commercial patterns! Plus if you need help with anything, there is an established yahoo group with lots of helpful ladies!