Ottobre Nightingale and Tulip

I don't know when I'm going to learn about the volume on a lot of these Ottobre tunics. I took out several inches of fabric on this tunic for the suggested pintucks. The "Nightingale" tunic still turned out very wide and full. Part of the problem is that the tan fabric is a lot heavier and doesn't float nicely like the baby cord. These are the "Tulip" pants. Both pieces are from the 04/2009 Ottobre issue. I like the pants. But I had to make them twice. They are probably one of the more detailed pieces I have made with gathered front pockets, pintucks on the back pockets, zipper fly and button elastic waistband. The first version I made super slim. I cut them without a seam allowance and was generous on the seam allowances when I stitched them. When she tried them on, they were just too tight across the seat. I'm debating whether to finish them and give them to a slimmer friend of hers.

It would have been nice to have a snap press for these. I substituted velcro for the button because she would have a hard time with them at school. I am getting more comfortable with zippers and buttonholes. This project had a couple of both. A year ago I would have been reluctant to tackle this one.

Teachers Gifts Complete

I made aprons for the kids' teachers Christmas gifts again this year. I tried two new patterns this time. The patterns are surprisingly similar. The main pieces of the patterns are almost identical.

The first is the "Josephine" pattern from the "A Is For Apron" book. The main problem with this pattern is that if you're going to use their pattern, you have to enlarge the pieces from the book 400%. What a pain! I actually just used the skirt piece from the other pattern since they are so similar. Both patterns are reversible. My favorite is the "Josephine", although it does need a slightly shorter next strap. This one is for Eva's teacher. She insisted on helping sewing, so there is a little wonkiness going on with the sash. I did find that using a foot like the blind-hem that has a guide helped her keep her stitching even if she didn't have the machine going too fast.

The second one didn't photograph well. It is the "Emmeline" apron by Sew Liberated. I did use a wider sash than it called for. The biggest problem with this pattern is that the top bodice band puckers when it is worn. The piece is cut on the bias and interfaced. I've looked at several finished photographs and almost all have the same puckering. The instructions on this one are so wordy that they're hard to follow. That seems to be common though with a lot of the independent pattern makers.

Both patterns I had to deviate from the instructions because they just didn't seem the best and most practical way to get the job done. Maybe Ottobre needs a nice ladies apron in their next issue.

A Few Things for Under the Tree

I am hoping to finish my Christmas sewing this weekend. Tonight, I'm wrapping the kids' Christmas PJs and some doll clothes.
This first ones are my version of the Ottobre Kaiku for Eva's AG doll. These match 2 of the outfits I've made recently. I used McCalls M6005 as my starting point.

The second are doll PJs to match the kids' PJs. This one I was able to use Simplicity's 4297.

The last two are Ottobre's 06/2009 #34 (Night Owl) and #35 (Stripey legs). Right now this is my go to pattern for PJs since it's what I have traced for their current size. I have to make each slightly different to tell them apart. Although the kids are two years apart, I use the same size. Aiden is just skinnier and needs a slimmer wait.

Christmas Dresses

My neighbor commissioned me to make these dresses as her Christmas gifts for her nieces. She picked out the fabric for Pink Fig's Lydia dress. I don't think I could make it sewing on the side for extra income. I don't think sewing would be fun if I spent all my time making something I wouldn't see worn.

Another Kaiku

Here is another version of the Ottobre Kaiku pattern, 04/2008 #19. The pants are a lengthened and modified version of the Lokki leggings #18 that they have paired with the Kaiku. This pattern looks very nice worn. I forgot to raise the waistband a little and I still have a little wonkiness that I can't control on the waistband. This is more of the nice Chez Ami fabric. The pants are some sort of velour.

Eva actually wore this to her First Reconciliation today. She got her picture taken with Santa this morning too. Our school sponsors a Santa's Workshop. It's so nice because the wait for Santa is usually never more than a couple minutes (vs. an hour at our church). Unfortunately, the only worn photo I got was on Santa's lap.

Anemone Outfit

I finally started sewing the Chez Ami fabric I ordered. It really is nice to sew with. The top is Ottobre Anemone, 04/09 #21. A lot of people had complained that the skirt Ottobre paired with this shirt was hard to get to turn out nice. Since I wasn't sure how I would find matching corduroy, I just went with the Hepsaneikka again. It is Ottobre's 04/08 #20. Leggings are the Ottobre Lily pattern again. I did use pintucks on the top instead of gathers. Next time I make this, I would get rid of most if not all of the gather. It's just makes the top too wide. I think I should have gone with the polka dot fabric for the leggings instead.
I have a lot of fall and Christmas sewing in progress right now to post soon.

Six Little Turtles

I splurged and ordered Heather Bailey's Henrietta turtle pattern. Mine aren't nearly as perfect as her samples.

So, I figured I might as well make a lot of them. Eva and I each have one picked out for our personal pincushions. The others are being saved for gifts. For Eva's close friends, I've started giving out gift certificates for sewing lessons as birthday presents. I'm thinking the pincushions will be a nice wrappable item to go with the certificate. For the lessons, I'm giving the girls the option of making an apron, pillow, pillowcase, elastic waist skirt or nutcracker doll. The first one hasn't been redeemed yet, but she wants to make the doll. That's the most complicated. The next one, I may only give the pillow and pillowcase options.

A month ago, the kids had some friends over. While playing in their rooms, Eva had had her friend design her own pillow for me to make for her. I just find it comical how she thought this up. So, when the girls came over yesterday, I had to follow up and make them each pillows. I made quick and easy square pillows with a heart appliqued on the front. They stuffed them and sewed the opening shut themselves. The youngest was going to take hers into school to use for naptime. It turned into a bigger project when Eva and Aiden later wanted their own pillows with their names and hearts appliqued. Luckily, they both have short names. No pictures to show of those.