mermaids

I know some of you were beginning to wonder if I even remembered how to sew. Fear not! Here are photos of an actual sewing project! This baby gift is long overdue. I was worried that the teacher would return from maternity leave before I got around to making the baby gift.Inspiration came the afternoon I worked with Ms V and the boys on the soft sculpture project. We had such fun designing all sorts of silly monsters. Those silly monsters just screamed out to be included on a baby outfit. Ottobre has tons of patterns that lend themselves nicely to embellishment. The little monster face was hand embroidered weeks ago during a kali silat class. Finding the time to make the garment was the stumbling block. Staying home with a sick boy this week provided the opportunity to bring this project to fruition.Imagine my pleasant surprise when the most recent issue of Ottobre featured very similar appliques! Would it be vain to say “great minds think alike”? I thought about using a pattern from that issue, but opted for #2 and #3 from the Spring 2006 issue. The contrasting panels allowed me to use a coordinating stripe and solid knits. The fabrics are incredibly soft knits purchased many years ago at a Chez Ami sale.The sewing was quick and simple. It felt good to see the project come together. When I embroidered the monster’s face, I was not sure what shape his body would eventually be. When it came time to put the applique onto theshirt, I decided to throw caution to the wind and free hand it. I did not draw out the shape - just started sewing. The original plan was to satin stitch around the edges. After trimming the excess fabric, I decided I liked it just the way it was. The unfinished edges reminded me of a child’s drawing.

Technorati Tags: Ottobre , sewing , soft sculpture , Chez Ami

There are many cute things in the Autumn 2007 issue of Ottobre. Sadly, there is nothing in my boys’ sizes. I had a bit of batik leftover from a skirt that I will blog about very, very soon. Design #3 seemed like the perfect choice. It took me longer to trace and cut out than it did to sew. The cutting took a little longer because I wanted to utilize some of the border print of the batik. There was not quite as much fabric leftover as I thought so it took a bit of finagling to make it work. I think I will give this one to the art teacher for her 10 month old daughter.

As with all Ottobre, the dress goes together easily. I used buttons for the back closure instead of a zipper. The fabric needs to be very soft and supple because the hem circumference is around 72 inches. That is a lot of skirt for the little girl. However, I bet it has great twirlability. The ribbon trim at the bodice edge was omitted because the fabric is busy enough all by itself.

Edit: I keep referring to this fabric (in real life and in my mind) as a batik. It really isn’t, but the correct description escapes me. Fabrix had it labeled as “batik” so that sticks in my head. Can someone help with my middle age memory issue?

I need to make friends with more people of childbearing age because I so enjoy making baby clothes. The boys’ taekwondo instructor recently became a dad for the second time. The baby will often “observe” the class from her little bouncer seat. Most of the time, she naps, but if she gets the least bit fussy, I am more than happy to entertain her. Naturally, I had to make her a dress, and, naturally, it had to be Ottobre.

From the 03/07 issue, I chose dress #1 and the matching bloomers, #2. The gathered area in the front was a little perplexing initially. Once I played with it for a minute, it became crystal clear. That little seam in the front was just begging for embellishment. I backed some satin ribbon with stabilizer and used a decorative stitch from my sewing machine. The hardest part was sewing on the tiny bits of satin ribbon. I added the ribbon trim at the center front, on each sleeve, and even put a little flower where the ribbon tie is attached to the back panel.

The fabric is a basic cotton that has been in my stash for years.

Here is a close up of the center front ribbon. You can click on the photo to see a larger view.

Here is a close up of the sleeve detail. The pattern called for the hem to be gathered. I made an inverted pleat instead. I am not sure how I got such a clear close up photo. My photography skills are slowly improving.

On the Ottobre list, Jeannine asked how to use Ottobre patterns to create something similar to this:

From what I can tell, it looks like this romper snaps all the way down the side, allowing the romper to open flat.  Not having to pull the garment over a baby’s head would make dressing easier.  However, for diaper changes, the baby would need to be almost entirely undressed.  I always preferred snaps at the crotch seam for easy diaper access.  So, I think there are two ways to achieve this look depending on your preference for snap access. 

Side Snaps:

I would start with the wrap top from 01/06, design #1.  The side panel would need to be extended to meet the side seam.  Design #2 from 01/05 could be used for the bottom portion. 

When I looked at the zoomed image of the romper, I could faintly see the outline of the underlay piece.  I highlighted it using MS Paint. 

Extra allowance would need to be added for the snaps.  I suspect the underlay is secured on the inside with either a snap or tie.  Personally, I would make the underlay a little wider on that side so it could be secured….well….more securely with two snaps or ties. 

Crotch Snaps:

The same two patterns could still be used, extending the overlay to the side seam.  I would make it like a wrap top that pulls over the head.  The overlay and underlay would be sewn into the side seams.  The romper would easily pull over the baby’s head because of the ample opening provided by the wrap top.  For diaper changes, the crotch would be unsnapped leaving the baby still dressed from the waist up. Extra seam allowance would need to be added to allow for snaps at the inner seams. 

In my opinion, this would give a cleaner look to the garment.  I would be concerned about gaping with snaps along the entire side seam. 

This is a sweet design that begs for embellishments.  Take away the ruffles and it could work for a baby boy.  Long sleeves and velour would make this wonderful for winter.  Of course, FOE would be my first choice for the neck binding.  Bright and funky prints would give this romper an entirely different look. 

Hmmm, I might have to make one just for the fun of it…..

I was suppose to be working on costumes for the folk dance festival at the elementary school when I was hit with inspiration. Ok, it wasn’t a thunderbolt from the sky. It was more like I happen to notice a piece of fabric in my scrap basket and decided it would make a cute baby dress and pants. Frustrated that there wasn’t enough to make the dress and pants, I almost chucked the whole thing back into the scrap basket. Suddenly, I remembered another piece of knit. Could they possibly match? Why had I not noticed this before? Could it be I have so much fabric that it is impossible to commit each piece to memory? It was kismet….the purples matched exactly.

Ottobre seriously needs to design a baby wrap top because I love my hacked version. The mom who received my last hacked wrap top loves it. The wrap is stylish, yet easy to get over those big baby heads. The dress (or tunic top, if you prefer) started with design #1 from 01/05. I made it wrap, then I made it into an a-line dress. Since the quilted knit is perfect for cooler temps, the dress needed something to keep baby’s leg warm. I already had design #8 from 01/01 traced, but didn’t want all those seams lines with a striped fabric. I just eliminated all the seams for a quick pair of elastic waist pants. When I finished, it seemed to be lacking a little something. A small red satin rose added just the right amount of color.

Oh, and about those costumes? No worries. This little outfit only took about an hour to make. I am right on schedule with costumes.

The quarter yard of fabric left over from my top too big to throw away but too small to put back into Stash. The obvious solution was to sew a baby gift! I really liked the coral FOE with the lime jersey, but it needed something more. None of the three trillion embroidery designs I have on my hard drive seemed “just right.” Ribbons and buttons were not quite right either. It was late. I hoped inspiration would come to me in my sleep….and it did.

Decorative stitching in thread to match the coral FOE was just what I wanted. If I had planned ahead (which I seldom do with sewing), I would have done the decorative stitching before cutting out the bodice pieces. When one flies by the seat of their pants, turbulence is to be expected. Temporary adhesive was used to hold lightweight stabilizer in place. To get the sort of randomness of the curves, the key is to think about something other than the curves. Once the decorative stitching was done, the rest of the dress went to together in a snap.

The pattern is design #11 from Ottobre Spring ‘07. Such a simple pattern is the perfect blank canvas to let your creativity soar.

Someone pointed out that I have only sewn baby *girl* things lately, certainly there would be a need for a boy gift sooner or later. There has been a large number of baby girls in my social circle lately. However, I do know of one boy on the way and I would not dream of leaving him out of the gift bonanza. He is not due to make his grand entrance for a few more months, but I thought I would get a head start.

The pattern is Ottobre Autumn 2006 #3. I added a snap opening for the crotch to facilitate diaper changes. Like many Ottobre patterns, this is a very easy pattern with lots of style. It is a wonderful way to use up those bits of special fabrics you cannot bear to throw away. Though the pattern calls for corduroy, you could also use knits or fleece. You could even combine knits and wovens. The overalls are roomy and comfortable, but the bit of elastic on the sides prevents gaping. This pattern has definitely joined the list of my favorites!

Typically, I don’t bother posting back views, but the back of this one is special enough to warrant a photo.  The curved lines could be really cool with a striped fabric.

Lastly, the little tee is Ottobre Summer 2006 #13.  It is a terrific basic pattern that will also get used often.  I was quite excited that the red woven matched the little stars *and* the knit fabric for the tee.  It is amazing how many different shades of red there are.

Once again, I have hacked another Ottobre pattern. This dress started with Design #1 from the Spring 2006 issue, but then I made it into a wrap top opening instead of buttons. Then, it became a dress instead of a top. The lime fabric is a soft ribbed knit, leftover from a top I made recently. The skirt is a black and white mini houndstooth, leftover from a much, much older project. The little flowers are dimensional appliques snipped from another leftover fabric. Even the black foldover elastic at the neckline was a little bit leftover from something else. Though it does not look like it in the photograph, the decorative stitching at the hem matches the top. There are matching bloomers because I had just enough of the houndstooth left.

I have not decided who will get this dress. There are lots of new and expected babies from which to choose.

It seems everyone I know is having a baby. Lucky for me, Ottobre has such cute (and easy) baby patterns! This first one is for a sewing friend. Sewing for someone who sews is pressure. I worry that they will look at every seam and find every little flaw….and there are flaws to be found. Anyway, I have used this fabric for a previous baby gift. Since I still have some, you will probably see it again. Because it is so soft and I love the color, I have no problem using it for multiple gifts. The patterns are design #5 & #6 from the Winter 2006 issue. The fabric seemed too bulky for a zipper in the back, so I added a button closure instead. The little footed pants are cute, but the gusset was a challenge to sew. The top is trimmed in lime fold over elastic. How *did* I sew before that stuff?

The next one is for a teacher at school. There is a mini baby boom going on at our school. Fortunately, it is limited to the staff and not the students. Anyway… this dress is for a baby that is due over the summer. The pattern is design #3 from Ottobre Summer 2005. The sleeves and bloomers are gathered with an elastic lace. The fabric is from Fabric mart. It is the softest rayon cotton blend, leftover from a summer dress I made for myself a couple years ago. Every time I wear that dress, I feel like I am at the beach. When I was planning this dress, I thought about adding ribbons or lace or something. However, the fabric is so simple and sweet that embellishments seemed too fussy. The simplicity gives it that feel of a cool ocean breeze.

Ottobre to the rescue once again! This is a baby gift for one of J’s teachers… a few months late. The raglan tee is design #5 from Summer ‘05. The pants are design #6 from Spring ‘05. Of course, the fabric is from stash. Easy patterns with delightful results.

It’s good to be sewing again.