Coleen Made a Jacket!

Coleen just finished a blue corduroy jacket- perfect for fall! Yes, it was cut out and started last September and then has just been slowly progressing, but she is finally finished and I have a feeling it will see lots of wear this spring. Unfortunately, with having it on the table for so long -she has sprouted up and is now two sizes bigger - thankfully, I think we made it a little on the big side so I think it will work through spring. I just am not sure it will make it all of the way to next fall...

Details:

The pattern is from the Spring 2006 issue of Ottobre Design. Sizing 128-170 cm. She made a size 134. She had originally intended to make this from some light blue corduroy, but then we decided that it was too lightweight and we should find another piece of fabric... well, it was my stash to the rescue. I had this piece of dark blue corduroy that was a better weight for a jacket just languishing in the back of my cupboard and there was just enough of it! And when I say just enough - I mean that a couple of the pieces have selvedge seam allowances and the pocket flap facings are cut in the wrong direction!

I think the jacket went together smoothly for the most part. I would help her with pinning (and in fact the one big error was mine - I pinned one of the sleeves in so that the top of the sleeve was lined up with the front princess seam instead of the shoulder seam - oops! Easily resewable and since it was my mistake - I even ripped the seams out for her.) She had a little trouble keeping the top stitching straight, which I think had to do with the corduroy tending to want to shift in the machine.

We really liked all of the details on this jacket and Coleen found some great buttons- again in my stash- silver with some Celtic knotwork stamped into them.

She was thinking on moving onto an easier project, like pajamas next, but I just happened to have a pair of pants cut out for her and so she has already started on those.

1st day of school clothes

Coleen's first day of school was Monday and this was the outfit we made. Coleen made the shirt and I made the pants. Both patterns are from Ottobre magazine.

Of course, after a very cool August, it has finally warmed up and it was too hot for a long sleeve shirt. She ended up wearing the t-shirt she dyed in her batik class at College for Kids.

She is very enthusiastic about school this year (of course, Coleen is always enthusiastic). We were able to meet her teacher last night and were very impressed. She is on Safety Patrol this year and has crosswalk duty in the mornings so she has to be at school half an hour early. The exciting thing about the Patrol is they get to go on a two day trip to Wisconsin Dells in the spring. Besides they really stress the responsibility the older kids have for the younger kids. They make sure all the kindergartners get on the right buses and help them during lunch to get through the line, etc.

Here's to the beginning of a great school year!

Then and Now

Coleen - March 2005



Today on her way to school. I am amazed this dress still fits her, though it is more of a tunic now. I made this from an Ottobre Design pattern for her birthday four years ago!

We interrupt...to bring you a sewing post

Hmm... don't know what happened to the rest of the trip. Not much computer time lately, but will get back to editing photos and posting the rest of it soon (Though I won't so brazenly post that it will get done this week.)

Coleen had her spring piano recital this past Saturday. She played a theme from Don Giovanni by Mozart and an arrangement of 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' by Duke Ellington. We decided she needed a new dress to perform in. We chose a dress and jacket from Ottobre and got to work. Coleen made the dress and I made the jacket. Both fabrics are from my stash. She is getting good at figuring out the directions on her own and I only really helped her with the gathering of the skirt and the zipper.

As usual, I found these patterns well-drafted and they went together well. We took what shortcuts we could - the insides could definitely be prettier! All seams are serged on both the jacket and dress, but if I had more time, I think I would have done a Hong Kong finish on the jacket seams.

I am very happy that we were able to get both done in just under a week - it really makes a difference when there are two working on a project... as the saying goes - many hands make light work.



Her concert was a great success!

Pattern Review for Ottobre Women 2-2007-08

From www.PatternReview.com
Pattern Description: The stylish trumpet skirt is made up of ten equal-shaped gores that flare widely toward the bottom hem.
Pattern Sizing: 34-52. I made a 40.
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?Yes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Ottobre's directions are always short and sweet - great to remind you of steps if you know what you are doing. I pulled out Sandra Betzina's Power Sewing
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love how light and airy it feels when you wear it and though I had thought myself too old for this, I find myself wanting to twirl as I walk down the hallway.
Fabric Used: This is my muslin. It was a $1 yard at Hancock's a couple of years ago.
Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: This pattern has you make a separate lining skirt with a straight skirt pattern from the same issue. Instead of doing this, I cut the lining from the same gored pattern pieces (except 1" shorter) and attached it to the skirt before I added the petersham ribbon for the waist.
When I tried the skirt on before putting the zipper in, I felt it was too big so sewed the side seam allowances with an extra 1/4". I then inserted the zipper and tried it on again. It gapped at the back and slightly in the front, so I basically added darts to the seam lines for the panels. The only ones I left alone were the two front seams. On the front side I made a 1/4" dart that tapered to the seam allowance about 4" down. On all 4 seams on the back, I made 1/2" darts that taper out about 5" down.
This is what I love about this skirt - with all the seams it is very adjustable to whatever your figure might be.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. As I stated before this was just my muslin and I have another floral cotton print that I bought to make this skirt.
Conclusion: A very summery skirt that is fun to wear!