can't blog now, too busy sewing Ottobre patterns

Oh, hello.  Here I am, taking a break from my current sewing obsession (Ottobre patterns), awkwardly posing casually hanging around in the Ottobre tunic top (5/08, #3, in linen, without the belt) I made yesterday, which might not actually be that flattering but I don't care all that much because, well, see above re: obsession, but also because it has sleeves!  And an invisible zipper!  And I made it!

My youngest started kindergarten a few weeks ago, & apparently my reaction to all of the various emotions this stirred up is to try to accumulate all the fabric in the world & then sew it into clothes for her (and me!).  You may remember the preschool graduation dress I sewed for her lo these several months ago:

That one's #12 from 2/05, & it was the first Ottobre pattern I tackled (along with some excellent linen pants for my son, which have since been abandoned in his embrace of skater fashion, so we won't talk about those).  The very most impressive thing about these patterns, I have to say, is not so much that they're lovely, which many of them, are, but that the drafting is impeccable.  Impeccable as in:  I trace the pattern from the sheet, I add my seam allowance, I cut the fabric, & even after three different opportunities to allow some slop to creep in, the pieces still go together just about perfectly.

So when it came time to start drowning my all-the-babies-are-grown sorrows, I decided to get a little more ambitious.

With a fully-lined corduroy jacket, the obvious next step.  Never let it be said that I don't believe in rolling up my sleeves & diving in.  This is #21 from 4/08, the most recent children's issue.  I actually had some problems getting pieces to line up with this one, but then it turned out that I'd sewed the yoke pieces on backwards, so I guess even an impeccable rating can't overcome sheer incompetence.  The directions in the magazine are pretty minimal (though they generally provide specific instructions for the trickier techniques required), which I love -- I do sometimes have to stop & either puzzle things out or look them up, but I think that I'm really learning a lot more than I do when I just blindly follow confusing pattern directions.

After the jacket success, I felt bold enough to tackle knits (6/07, #27).   I suspect that these little raglan-sleeve dresses maybe look sort of pajama-esque in action, but apparently they are the perfect monkey bar dresses (especially with matching leggings), & I don't think there's much higher praise to be had from my newly-minted kindergartener.

So, that's what I've been doing.  (Well, part of what I've been doing, there's a skirt & a pair of pants in the wash, I think.)  Now that the kids are back in school, I have all the best blogging intentions, & maybe even some time to actually carry them out.  After I've finished sewing all the fabric in the world, I mean.

Comments

[jodie]

Man, you are sewing up all the fabric in the world. I love that first top - it is very flattering I think.

[muralimanohar]

Ottobre is da bomb. I am still using the patterns, LONG after my own kids have completely grown out of them!! I still have many other kids to inflict upon, rofl!

[teri]

well, i was impressed with the tunic. as i read along, i was impressed with the graduation dress. then comes the fabulous jacket and sweet little dresses. my, my... you do just dive right in! nothing wrong with that. :) that's the way i learned to sew.

teri, fellow ottobre fanatic

[blair]

you looked so cute this morning in that frock. You convinced me to order that issue for myself.

Are you guys playing soccer in this rain today?

And, um....you have one more place that needs a little update ; )

xoxoxo

[nancy]

gorgeous! the tucks on that tunic? divine!

now of course i'm going to subscribe to another spendy import design magazine... sigh.

[ileana]

That coat is amazing! I'd love to have a grown-up version of it.

[tricia]

I am very impressed! I wish I had your skills/confidence for sewing clothes. I love that tunic and the jacket!

[Vonnie]

That coat is absolutely fabulous, I really like it. I'm assuming Ottobre isn't published in English - is it fairly easy to follow even if you don't understand the language?

[Claire]

Seriously impressed with your sewing skills! Glad you might be doing a bit more blogging as I love what you write, but life is slightly more important!!!

[Melanie]

They all look great. I saw them in the flickr group, and thought I'd pop over here to see if it was the same glittergoods gal, and it was. =)

[amy r]

daria - the jacket is GREAT! You have totally inspired me to just go for it and make Lucy and Mabel's coats this year. many many thanx. a

[jill]

That coat is just beautiful! Oh, and the dresses must look great on monkey bars. I love it when playground equipment sets off an outfit! :)

[Rachel]

I love that tunic! I think I'm inspired to actually try sewing clothes!

[lala]

we like miniboden for the skater fashion, also good for yr son, I'd imagine, because [redacted]. nice seamstressing; of course, am not surprised.

[Kirsten]

Everything looks great - you have been busy!

[Mama Urchin]

hee hee, I rarely make anything from any other patterns anymore.

[muralimanohar]

I *love* my Ottobres..I never use any other kind for kids anymore, and my kids haven't fit into them in a couple years, lol! Luckily for me, I am drowning in nieces and nephews, so I still have years of sewing, still. :p

That #12 from 2/2005 is one of my favorite patterns. :p I've done a bunch of things from them, and even duplicated it in American Girl size, lol.

[Linda]

That is a wonderful top. And jacket. I should be going to bed, but it makes me want to go sit down at my sewing machine.

[Nichola]

WOW! That's some seriously fabulous sewing you've been doing there. I love the first top.xoxo

[Colleen]

Where has glittergoods been?
I miss this blog =/

[cheap ed hardy]

you do just dive right in! nothing wrong with that. :) that's the way i learned to sew.

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