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2.11.2015

Ottobre 6/2013, No 21 : A Cap Sleeve Pinafore

Well, here I am with another Ottobre pattern.  This is from the 6/2013 issue, No. 21.

ottobre 6/2013, No 21 

After having kids, something super nerdy overcame me and I suddenly had a voracious appetite for learning as much as I possibly could about a certain topic.  Education, nutrition, theology, world religions, breastfeeding, child development, herbalism, birth, to name a few.  I'd stay up late pulling research articles or devouring books, reading as much as I could about the subject of interest.  Doing so ignited something in me and it was - and is - really exciting.  I hope I'll always be a lifelong learner.

As an aside, this obsession for learning reminds me of something Jude's homeschooled buddy said to me, which was that some kids had called him a nerd.  His dad, in turn, told him that nerds rule the world.

tia 

I asked how he felt about being classified as a nerd.  Did he see it as a compliment?  He informed me, "Not a compliment, but definitely not an insult."  I love it!  And what self confidence for a nine year old.

So all this is to say that this pretty much sums up how I feel about Ottobre patterns right now: obsessed and downright nerdy.   I was brainstorming, "What if I sewed only Ottobre patterns for an entire year?!"  Then I realized, I didn't need to be extreme about it - or so/sew exclusive.  ;)

tia girl 

The truth is, though, it would be easy to sew only Ottobre for a year.  There's just so much to love.

For this pinafore, I did adjust the neckline making it less scooped.  But the rest is unaltered.  The front and back are cut into four pieces each and then sewn back together and topstitched.  And I love those cap sleeves.


ottobre 6/2013, no 21 

I also really like the faux pockets.

ottobre 6/2013, No 21 

 Tia, on the other hand, was disappointed by the 'faux' part.

ottobre 6/2013, no 21 
 Where the heck are the pockets?

This is Kaufman 21 wale corduroy in rust again.  It looks suspiciously similar to the Pantone color of the year, marsala, but I was definitely not trying to be trendy or fashion-forward with this choice.  I purchased this fabric back in November, before the color was even announced.

ottobre 6/2013, no 21 

I also sewed the tshirt - Ottobre 4/2013, No 6 and I believe it's in Kaufman's taupe knit, though not certain.   I loved this top so much on Iris but Tia had sized out of it.  So I added some length and then some width to the center without realizing that would create more of a boat neckline, but it works.  (And lesson learned.)

ottobre 6/2013, no 21 

Oh, this girl!  She is such a delight - so sweet and gentle. She also has a crazy talent for music. This Christmas she started playing The Little Drummer Boy, with chords, by ear on the piano. And recently she's started playing the Lord of the Rings theme song by ear! She's in a little keyboarding class but has never had formal private lessons.   It's just unbelievable!

ottobre 6/2013, no 21 

Last Saturday, Jude's children's chorus sang at a professional hockey game.  Dan, Indigo and Iris went to cheer him on while Tia decided to stay home with Hazel and me.

I painted her nails, we read books (I dare you to find a book cuter than this one!) and sang Seize the Day at least a dozen times.

ottobre 6/2013, no 21 

We had so much fun together but after 2 hours, she started asking, ever so gently as to not hurt my feelings, when her siblings would be home.

our tarikua 

That's one thing that has surprised me most as our family has grown - how much our kids totally love and enjoy one another's company.  I think our society gives the impression that children from bigger families perhaps lack attention - or that there is a rivalry between siblings, with all vying for mom and dad's attention.  While that may be true in some families, it is definitely not the case for ours.   They all have a blast together.  They are so tender and loving toward one another.  And there's always something fun happening.  In fact, they tell me they'd love to have 10 siblings.  (Um, the answer to that is no.)

my tia love

I do try to be intentional about connecting with my children individually every day.  I absolutely delight in the things that make them so uniquely them.   But man, it sure is heartwarming to see the way they love each other so!  And I sure am thankful for our Tarikua Evangeline!

my tia love

22 comments:

  1. oh Rachel, this is such a beautiful post. The dress is really pretty. I love that fabric!
    You have a beautiful family but I really think it is all thanks to you and how intentionally you parent your children, with so much grace. You and I have the same kind of slightly obsessive, self-challenging mind! and we are learners for sure!!
    I hope I will be able to listen to Tia play the piano one day!
    xoxo

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  2. Lovely post - I have a gorgeous nine-year-old who is also a 'nerd' but doesn't mind. He reads all the time, and isn't really into the things the other boys are into (ie computers and football) but also is kind of settled in the things he loves - like playing his violin, riding his bike, reading about history. And I'm so proud of him for 'knowing and loving himself'. He's so much more self-aware than I was at his age, makes me proud..

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  3. Beautiful post, photos, dress and girl!!! I feel like the Japanese Sewing books have that lovely element of 'nerdiness' too :-) Their techniques are are simple but spot on.

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  4. I was thinking exactly the same as Mie, that I could sew get that intense about Japanese sewing books, but in reality there's so much to love everywhere in pattern land!
    That rust colour is just my favourite (my wedding dress was that colour!) and Tia wears it beautifully. That's a perfectly simple pretty outfit on a gorgeous looking kid. Well done.

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  5. Rachel, can you please pretty please tell me where you buy your kids' shoes? They are my very favorite and it's so hard to find good ones.

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    1. Oh wow, thank you. I feel like asking that same question because I'm always on the look out for good shoes. These are from jujubunny. but it looks like they are no longer in stock, which is a shame, because they are great! the leather is so nice and the strap is actually velcro, even though it looks like a small buckle. I have been otherwise buying my shoes mostly on Zullily which unfortunately is pretty hit or miss. Many times the shoes are cute, but wear out so quickly, maybe because they are generally inexpensive.

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  6. AH!!! I love this dress! I even pinned it, I loved the mustard corduroy in the magazine so much! I was sad that it doesn't go small enough for Maggie to wear right now, but one day! I am a sucker for a sweet pinafore!

    You know, it wouldn't be too hard to make some real pockets ...

    And I cut out two more Ottobre patterns for Joe! you and I are on a wavelength. I actually wondered, if I started sewing Ottobre all the time would anyone even follow my blog anymore? LOL. I love the indie patterns but I am really trying to economize with my sewing, and that means using more of what I already have.

    Your choice of fabrics is, as always, lovely, but never so lovely as Tia! She's just beautiful, and I love hearing about the childrens' personalities. As far as sibs, that has been my experience too! Mostly anyway. My kids love each other and really miss each other when they're separated. I don't think Maggie half so much cares about quality time with us as with Joe. Joe on the other hand craves parental attention more. But Maggie wakes up in the morning smiling and bushy tailed and the first thing out of her mouth is "Where's Joe?" It does a mother's heart good to see her children getting along so well.

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    1. Wow, Inder, thank you for the pin! That’s sweet. I did forget to add that I changed the neckline making it less scooped. I need to add that to my post. And yeah, this morning I was laying in bed thinking to myself - it would have been easy to have added pockets. Why do I never remember the pockets? I know my kids love them! I guess I’m always so strapped for sewing time, I’m just trying to get ‘er done! :)

      You know, about siblings, your comment reminded me of something I had heard on NPR while pregnant with Hazel which was that children never before in history relied on their parents to be their playmates but rather had siblings and a village of neighbor kids to free range with. :) They said this is why most parents find playing make believe and the like with their children to be so mind-numbingly boring (their words!). They said we’re trying to fill a gap which parents were never designed to fill. Interesting…

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  7. I always love to read your blogposts, Rachel. This one was so sweet!
    And the dress is lovely! Ottobre patterns are great but I need to get over the styling of the magazine... You make them always look so cool! Thank you for the inspiration!

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  8. This dress is gorgeous! Would love to make it! Do you have to get the magazines to get the pattens or can you buy them individually? And I assume the patterns are in English? Don't like the thought of my interpretation skills!

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    1. You can buy the magazines individually here: https://www.ottobredesign.com/subscription/single.php and the annual subscription here https://www.ottobredesign.com/subscription/index.php The magazine costs about $13 and there are 40 patterns/issue. The patterns are a little hard to trace (there are multiple patterns on each page, each in a different color and they overlap) and you do have to add seam allowances. But it's very doable. They are in English but I would say they assume an intermediate level of sewing knowledge. Still I think the instructions are quite clear - so far, so good. :)

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    2. one more thing - i did adjust the neckline, making it less scooped. I will add that to the post, too!

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  9. How lucky for us that Ottobre is your latest "learning" obsession! We get to benefit from all your self-educating by drooling over your gorgeous clothes:) I am always so impressed by your Ottobre creations- I love how you are able to see past the magazine photo and make it so completely your own. Your design eye is so spot-on, as this latest dress attests to. Those cap sleeves are my favorite part! So adorable.
    And Tia . . . what a beauty that child is, inside and out. I love when you share your family dynamics. Your kids all seem pretty terrific; kudos to Jude for his confidence in who he is. Clearly he is receiving some great leadership:)

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  10. I'm not sure what I enjoy looking at more. Your sewing or your children. Miss Tia is a born model. Perhaps if she needs to finance a Grand Piano, she could model on the side. I loved how my children got along too. The youngest had all her brothers wrapped around her finger....
    How fun for the others to go to a hockey game. I'm usually yelling at the Canucks ; )

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  11. What a great little dress - okay that's it, I'm gonna get some Ottobre! Tia's sunny personality just shines through your photos, she looks like such a sweetie! Awesome about her musical talents, too, that's so need to see what your kids are naturally good at you know? And yep, agree about siblings too - poor O gets so bored when E is at school and C is napping. The times I've watched my nephews and I have like 6 kids in the house are easier than just having one! They play nicely together and I just feed them and make sure they don't break any bones. ;)

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  12. What a face on that kid- she is such a beauty!!! I love that color on her. :) I have a set of Ottobre that I've admired, but never got around to making anything from. Shame on me!

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    1. Go for it, Erin! Once you do, there's no turning back! :)

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  13. Tia is so breathtakingly beautiful. Wow. That color on her is just gorgeous. We have a large family too, and one of my favorite things is how much the siblings all love each other!

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  14. I love how you write. You are so real! The dress is darling and such a perfect look. I love your son's response about being called a nerd!! Humble yet confident!

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  15. Oh she has the best smile! I cannot look at this gorgeous smiling face without smiling in return :) The dress is lovely and something my daughter would totally love (minus the fauxeness of the pockets of course). I hear so many good things about Ottobre I will just have to get an issue and try it for myself I think!

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  16. Such a nice dress with such a nice girl! <3 I love it :)
    Actually I'm sewing the same dress- I'm excited if it will fit as good with my girls :)

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