Ottobre 1/2015 No5 and Tips for Sewing with Ottobre Patterns

Last week, things were pretty intense around here when Hazel came down with broncholitis.  She was so, so sick.  By the weekend, however, she was on the mend and I had a little bit of time to sew this simple sweatshirt for Iris... in between trying to catch up on a mountain (a mountain!) of laundry. 

 

This is another Ottobre pattern from issue 1/2015, No 5.

 

I bought the fabric at Land of Oh.  I have been so happy with their fabrics. 

This sweatshirt knit is so soft and cozy and squishy.  I love it.  It definitely exceeded my expectations.

 

Last time I blogged about Ottobre, as few people had some questions.  What is Ottobre anyway?  So I thought I'd do a mini Ottobre tour here, since I'm obviously a huge fan.

 

 Ottobre (kids) is a quarterly sewing magazine.  Each issue contains around 40 patterns.  You will see all of the patterns modeled in spreads throughout the magazine like this.

 

(You can click through the entire magazine, issues past and present, online by clicking on the magazine covers here.)

You will also find all of the patterns in diagram form, like this.

 

Before getting started you will need to take your child's measurements and compare to them to the size chart here.

 

My girls' chest size is several sizes smaller than their height size.  I trace my patterns based on their chest size and then add length.  So far this has worked out great for us!

 

All 40(ish) patterns are condensed onto 6 pages.   Here's an example of one of those pages.



Some people are intimidated by the tracing part.  It does take some effort but it's worth it.  One of my readers (Jax) left a helpful comment to trace over the pattern you're tracing using a frixion highlighter to make it more visible.  Afterward you can remove the marks with a warm iron.  Brilliant, right?  I always use Swedish tracing paper for tracing patterns.  It is the best!

(For a more in-depth explanation of tracing Ottobre patterns, this tutorial is helpful.)

The patterns do require you to add a seam allowance.  Once you get the hang of it, it's no big deal at all.  Generally you do not add seam allowances to edges cut on the fold or on the hemline, as the hem allowance is usually included.  To add seam allowances, I just tape two pencils together like this. (Washi tape optional, but recommended!) ;)

 

This has become my go-to method ever since reading this tutorial.

In the center of the magazine you'll find the instructions for cutting and sewing each of the patterns.  I generally don't pay too much attention to the material requirements, other than whether they are using a knit or a woven fabric.   Here's what that looks like for Iris' top.

 

I'd say the the patterns assume a foundational knowledge of sewing. For example, they might use a term like "understitch" without explaining what that means.   But it's pretty easy to fill in those gaps by using Google or youtube, which has some great video tutorials on many sewing techniques.  Also, if I am doing something like installing a zipper and it's been awhile since I've last installed one, I look at a previous pattern with good instructions (I love the Hanimi pattern for zippers!).

I actually find that the instructions are great and quite thorough - often times the finishing is more professional than many PDF patterns I've used.  But I read it slowly, line by line.

So, those are my tips for sewing with Ottobre patterns!