Ottobre is all I Need
Posted by: mermaids on: 30 July, 09
- In: Ottobre| family life| sewing| shopping
- 6 Comments
The style of the red top has appealed to me for quite some time. The gathers concerned me, that whole “maternity vibe.” I was about to go out and buy the pattern with the intention of hacking away to gathers. While looking through my file of Ottobre patterns to find something else, Design #7 from the 05/08 issue of Ottobre Woman caught my eye. It is a fitted dress, but the neckline is the same. I LOVE Ottobre. Not running to the fabric store to buy another pattern meant saving gas and saving money (because if you go to the fabric store, it is very likely that fabric will follow you home). More importantly, having the pattern on hand meant I could start this project at 3:30 a.m. when I could not sleep.
The biggest challenge of this project was the fabric. It is a silk charmeuse I bought in Manhattan earlier in the year. Pretty to look at… as it slides all over the place. To get the looser fit, the front and back waist darts were eliminated. With the darts eliminated, a center back zipper was no longer required. The top is easy to slip over my head without a back opening. However, I made a 3” slit opening in the center back seam and sewed the yoke as directed with a button closure. It gives the back a little visual interest. It would be possible to make it with no back opening. Just remember to cut the back yoke with the center back on the fold. The yoke falls in the perfect place to prevent straps from peeking out. My fabric was a woven, but a knit would work as well. 
Eliminating the darts gives the top that tunic look without the extra volume of gathers. It falls easily over my hips without being too tight or too loose. I had to make my usual Ottobre bust adjustments. That is the beauty of Ottobre patterns; you can use the same adjustments from pattern to pattern.
This is another top that dresses up or down. Most of my life is very casual, but I like having pieces that I can quickly pull together into a dressier look.
My Computer Ate my Homework
Posted by: mermaids on: 29 July, 09
Well, I had started this really cute little post about my cute little top. The phone rang. I had to step away from the computer to deal with the phone call. On the way back, the doorbell rang. Had to chat with a friend for a while. Ooops, suddenly it was time to shower and get dressed for dinner with Hubski for our anniversary. Dinner was lovely. When we got home, another friend showed up. By the time I wandered back to the computer, I noticed that it had automatically installed updates. Normally, not a problem because I always save my work, especially before I walk away from my computer. Except this time. Grrrr.
It’s late. I am tired. This is what you get… lots of lame excuses. At this point, you are probably thinking, “Gee, this top had better be something spectacular. She’s teased with promises of photos for ages.” I’ll be honest. It is cute, but I am not sure it will live up to the hype. This is kind of like the commercials for ER in its last few seasons. “The most incredible episode of ER ever!!!!!!!! You won’t believe what happens next!!” Had they not hyped the episode to be the greatest thing since the invention of the sewing machine, I might have enjoyed them more. But every week, like a moron, I would be expecting something AMAZING! and UNBELIEVEABLE! What I got was warm milk… comforting, familiar, and sleep inducing.
P.S. Save your work.
Dragon Slayer
Posted by: mermaids on: 28 July, 09
- In: books| family life| health| sewing
- 3 Comments
Do you know that story “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie”? Well, the idea is if you give him a cookie, then he will want a glass of milk, then he will want a napkin… It goes on and on, with one thing leading to another. Well, that was my day.
I accidentally dropped something behind the low bookcase next to C’s bed. To retrieve it, I pulled the shelf away from the wall and was immediately attacked by several large dust dragons. There was no way I could just push the shelf back. I pulled the shelf all the way out to get all the dust dragons, any dust dragon babies, and the eggs. In moving the shelf, some things fell over. So I pulled everything off the shelves and gave those a good cleaning too.
Sitting on the floor to do this, I heard grumblings under the bed. Yep. More dust dragons. C has two twin beds in his room. I pulled both of them away from the wall for a good cleaning. Baseboards were wiped down. Corners were swept. I love our hardwood floors, but the dust dragons are appalling. I keep reminding myself that we do not have *more* dust because we have wood floors. We only see it more easily. If we had carpet, all that dust would be embedded in the carpet, silently feeding our allergies. I would rather have the dust out in the open where I can see and deal with it.
After I got C’s room sparkling, I looked across the hall at J’s room. Certainly I could not be any cleaner than C’s was. I started moving furniture and slaying more dragons.
At the end of the day, two rooms were completely free of dust dragons. My sewing plans for the day had to be rescheduled for tomorrow, but there is always tomorrow… unless someone gives me another cookie…
Please Be Seated
Posted by: mermaids on: 27 July, 09
Why did I wait so long? I knew it would be easy. I knew I would like it. Why wait? Because I am a big ol’ procrastinator. Here is the before:
Forgive the blurry photo. I almost forgot to take a before photo. The seats were a generic medium blue. Over the years, stains and spots appeared because, sometimes, pigs eat dinner with me instead of my adorable boys. Here is the after:
The new chairs now look like they belong in the kitchen. I added a little extra padding so they are now more comfy, too. The fly in the ointment of this little project was the manual staple gun. I miss have an air stapler. It took about 27 times longer and my hand is crippled. Now I need to clean up the kitchen because I want people to come over and admire my chairs. There is enough fabric left over to cover two more chairs. I considered making a couple pillows for the family room. The house is an open floor plan so the family room flows right into the kitchen and breakfast area. Matching pillows in the family room would sort of tie the two rooms together. However, I think I am going to hang onto the leftovers in case a chair meets with an unfortunate demise, like a glass of red wine.
It is amazing how a little change can make such a difference in a room.
Stapled
Posted by: mermaids on: 26 July, 09
- In: education| sewing| shopping
- 4 Comments
I did not get a photo of my new top. Sorry! It was a busy day of running around town doing housewifey stuff. Sewing managed to sneak into the day, sort of. Staples lured me in with a pink, flowered task chair. The price of $10 sealed the deal. My old task chair has a leak in the pneumatic seal. Often, when I sit down on the chair, it sinks, rapidly. The Staples deal was the little nudge I needed to finally replace my chair. Hubski tried to talk me into buying a fancy (expensive) chair. I explained, when I am sewing, I rarely sit for very long. Sew a few seams, get up to press. Sew a few seams, get up to do some fitting or pin pieces together. My sewing is not sedentary. The pretty, pink, flowery $10 chair is perfect.
While at Staples, I noticed a very elderly couple huddled over a school supply list, asking the store clerk where to find various items. I figured they were shopping for a grandchild. Knowing that those generic, mass produced lists usually ask for things the students never use, I nosed my way into the conversation. As it turns out, their church is doing a school supply drive. As luck would have it, this couple wanted to buy things for middle school students in our district. Aha! I definitely know what middle school students need! I explained that many things on that list were either provided in the classroom or never used, like a protractor and compass. I suggested they get more paper, pencils, and binders, and fewer markers, ball point pens, and colored pencils. Because our students come from such diverse home settings, teachers keep a class set of things like markers and compasses instead of trying to get students to bring them in. I thanked the couple for trying to help our students and gave them my $5 off coupon.
As a mom, I always hit the sales this time of year. If Staples has pencils on sale for 5 cents a pack, limit 3, I buy three packs and give them to students who need them. I buy paper, markers, pencil sharpeners, whatever they are offering at a loss to get me into the store. Those supplies are passed along to students, either by giving to a classroom teacher or stocking my substitute bag. I learned to keep a stash of pencils and paper in my bag because I don’t want students to have any excuse for not doing their work.
All of the office supply and discount stores are running these sales right now. Pick up those little deeply discounted items and present a teacher with a great gift at the beginning of the year.
Snoopy
Posted by: mermaids on: 25 July, 09
- In: Ottobre| sewing| shopping
- 5 Comments
It seemed Ottobre was everywhere I looked at the mall today. That $150 skirt… so easy to make with Ottobre. Shop keepers were not thrilled with me snapping photos, but I managed to sneak in a few.
This Ann Taylor skirt reminded me of the little girl’s skirt with the ruffles on the back, 01/07 #15. This is a much more grown up version. The “ruffles” are not gathered at all, just flat across the front, but the skirt still had movement. The fabric was a very thin, microfiber. I think the sweater they paired with it was too long and baggy. 02/07 #12 would be a great base on which to put the “ruffles.”
When I saw this shirt, I immediately thought of the Vine top, #3, in the 02/09 women’s issue. The Ann Taylor version is $40 and the fabric is unimpressive. Hmm, suddenly that Ottobre subscription seems like a bargain.
I could not get a photo of this sweater because it was black, the lighting was bad, and the sales clerk’s attitude was even worse. As soon as I left the store, I quickly made a sketch. Please forgive my less than stellar sketching skills. It was a simple, fine knit cardigan. The ruffles were not gathered, but still had a little fullness. It looked like the top, attached edge of the ruffle was sewn with a one-to-one ratio, but the bottom, loose edge was almost “lettuced.” The strips used for the ruffles were obviously custom knitted with that effect. I bet the same effect could be achieved with either slight lettucing of the loose edge or easing the top edge a smidge. It was not boxy on the sides, but more fitted. I would start with one of the tee patterns and split it down the middle to add the button placket. The cardigan was very, very chic.
At another store, there was a gorgeous, bright yellow short trench paired with a pair of navy trousers. Stunning, yet simple. Overall, I saw quite a bit of navy. I did not buy anything, but I did come home with lots of ideas. I also came home and hugged my sewing machines. Goodness gracious, how do people afford to buy clothes at the mall. Yikes!
After the jaunt to the mall, with renewed enthusiasm, I finished up a minor hack of an Ottobre pattern. No photos yet because it needs a good pressing first, but it will be worth the wait.
Multitasking
Posted by: mermaids on: 24 July, 09
During the countless hours I was on hold with various incompetent “customer service” people, I made use of my time by sketching and planning some sewing projects. At Mood Fabrics, I picked up a very unusual fabric with no clear of what I would do with it. I finally decided that it should be a jacket, but there is not enough for a jacket. Playing around with sketches helped me figure out a solution. A trip to the fabric store is required before that project can move forward. While in NYC, I also bought some navy blue eyelet to mimic a fabulous Isaac Mizrahi dress. It was a sort of wrap style with a full skirt. The more I thought about, the more I realized that the full skirt might be a little overwhelming on my small frame. Again, sketching led me to a solution. It will be another Ottobre hack and another project that requires a trip to the fabric store for lining. Of course, I need something to work on in the meantime. Aha! Another Ottobre hack for another fabric from my NYC trip. That one has already been cut out. The phone calls were no less annoying, but sketching and planning sewing projects kept my stress level from skyrocketing.
Alien Concept
Posted by: mermaids on: 23 July, 09
- In: crafts| family life
- 4 Comments
These are the little alien Crobots I made for my niece’s birthday. They are making their way across the country, thanks to the postal service. Once I figured out the lingo, they were easy to make… and lots of fun. I think I will be making more of these. Off to find freebie patterns on the internet.
Baby, You Can Drive my Car
Posted by: mermaids on: 22 July, 09
About three months ago, J got his learner’s permit. Thus far, most of his driving has been with Hubski on the weekends. We all agreed, until he gets a little more experience, he does not need the distraction of C in the car, not that would intentionally distract him. We are also careful about where he drives, weather conditions, and time of day. It seemed, for a while, whenever we were going somewhere that J could drive, it was storming or after dark. It has been a while since I have driven with him. Last week, he drove me to the library… and I wasn’t totally nauseous with anxiety.
J is doing quite well with driving, but he is a new driver. More importantly, I am new to having my baby behind the wheel. It is definitely a weird concept… my baby, driving, like a grown up. He is careful, takes instruction well, and is calm behind the wheel.
Today, he drove us to taekwondo. It suddenly occurred to me that we were having a conversation instead of me giving him instructions, my foot wasn’t going through the floorboard, and I was rather relaxed. Is his driving getter better or I am simply get used to the idea? Part of our conversation was about how the cost of our auto insurance would sky rocket when he got his full license. J said, “If it is that expensive, I can wait to get my license. There is no rush.” I have good sons.
Gore(y) Details
Posted by: mermaids on: 21 July, 09
- In: Ottobre| sewing
- 8 Comments
Here is another Ottobre Woman winner. This would have been an extremely fast skirt if I had followed the directions. The pattern calls for a knit, but I wanted to use a woven. This required adding a zipper to be able to get it on. Adding a zipper meant adding a waist band instead of the elastic casing. I used bias tape to give the waist a smooth, comfortable finish.
Let me back up. If you go with the Ottobre plan, this is a fantastically easy pattern. First, there is only one pattern piece to trace. You cut out ten gores, then just start sewing them together. With a knit on the serger, this skirt could be finished in minutes. Zip through those seams on the serger, add elastic on the serger, stitch down on the regular sewing machine, then add a hem. What could be easier?
Using a woven required slightly more time and a few more steps. Because I was a little worried about this fabric shredding along the seam lines, I pressed the seams to one side and topstitched. Then there was the zipper and bias tape for the waistband. (If I had added another gore, it would have slipped over my hips and I could have done the elastic waist.)
Because I am several inches shorter than standard Ottobre uses, the pattern had to be shortened. The pattern is drafted to about mid calf. When you are short, mid calf is a tricky look to pull off. Simply whacking off the top are bottom would have changed the silhouette of the skirt. I shortened the pattern in three different places, top, middle and bottom.
The end result is a fabulously comfortable skirt that looks cute with a tank. I can also dress it up with a nicer top and/or jacket.
Oh, the nitty gritty details. The pattern is design #11 from the 02/09 issue of Ottobre Woman. The fabric is woven I found in New York a few months ago. It is not as shiny as it looks in the photo. If you want to skip adding a zipper, make sure you use a knit with some stretch. It is a close fit.
