So school starts tomorrow for the girly, and I’m just about finished sewing for her. I stayed up late last night finishing her backpack (so cute!!), and tomorrow I’ll whip up a special little pencil case. I still have a few other things that she needs like a jacket, and some dresses for Sunday, but they can wait. I’m itching to make a few little special somethings for myself, and my son has been sorely neglected, poor boy. Brother man needs some tshirts and sunday pants in a bad way. I’m seriously on my way to have a 100% handmade wardrobe for me and my kids! Man, I’m such a sewing junkie. I really love it. Love it. Love it. Whenever I talk to someone it makes me step back and realize how crazy it is that I sew every night, but what can I say?? Some people love to read (me too), some people love to watch TV(me too), (but mostly) I love to sew.
So these floral beauties have been swirling around in my design dreams for a while, and when I saw this amazing denim weight vintage floral fabric on Etsy in mint condition, I couldn’t resist. And ps it was on sale for FIVE bucks (!!!) I made her back pack out of it too, it was the perfect amount of yardage.
This was my first pair of jeans! I used a skinny pant pattern from Ottobre’s 1/2012 issue, #18. I had a tricky time with the zipper fly at first, but in the end I just grabbed a pair of her pants and examined the construction, looked again at the diagram, and then figured it out. It’s not hard really, just got confused. I did add the geniousness of an adjustable elastic encased in the waistband that all kid’s jeans have now, because it is just so practical (didn’t get a photo of that, sorry). The pattern is super well designed and the fit was great, but I think it’s important to remember that Ottobre’s patterns are based on height, rather then chest or waist measurements. You factor all of those in when choosing a size, but for me the height measurement produces a fit that is slightly big which I like because it will fit longer. These pants were made based on her waist measurement, and they fit her perfectly right now.
Aren’t they just astronomical?? I really love them, wish there had been enough fabric for me, although heaven knows I need some stretch up in my hood. And I got over my subconscious fear of jeans! They aren’t hard. They ARE technical and detailed, but they don’t require any difficult sewing, it’s all very straight forward. I’m totally thinking about making some for myself. I scored some stretch jean for a great deal a while back, and my sister just got the latest issue of Ottobre Women and it has what looks like a really great jean pattern (#9,10). Wouldn’t that be so cool? And maybe a little sewing nerdy?? I mean, who makes their jeans? Actually, I was first inspired to make jeans when I saw Jane (who I found after she commented on my blog) totally rock a Jalie Pattern. Amazing! And would I just go for it? Would you do a muslin? Not sure.
Well, I’ll be back her tomorrow posting her backpack (I know I know, TWO days in a row!) I have about a million projects to post about, but I get so busy sewing that it’s hard to stop and blog sometimes. Well that, and I share the computer with my hubs, who doesn’t relish relinquishing his sole control of it over to me, bless his computer-loving heart.
Oh, and Happy Labor Day! Hope you don’t have to work!
23 Comments
these are adorable, I love the pocket lining!
Thanks, Kate! I love making little details that only your kids know about, because it’s like secret little surprises that make them feel special:)
Those jeans are so cool. I need to get a good jean pattern for kids. My 5 year old is so tall, but so skinny. So I need extra length, and lots of elastic in the waist for her. Thanks for the heads up on the pattern!
Yes, my five year old is super tall and skinny too! Ottobre has TONS of great jeans patterns for kids! I heart Ottobre!
They look great. I love your comment about “sewing nerdy”–really you are a very talented and skillful sewing nerd, if “sewing nerd” is what you want to call it.
Thanks, I love blogging, because we “sewing nerds” can stick together!
I cannot believe how professional those turned out. Top stitching is the reason I would never CONSIDER taking a project like that on. So cute, right down to those adorable little pockets.
Thanks Mom. And Topstitching is FUNNEST part of sewing a project like this. All the constructive seams are a necessary evil, but oh this beautiful, slightly larger, purely asthetic topstitches are just like icing on a cake, a real pleasure to put on!
Those are adorable! You are so, so talented!!!
Thanks, and Diddo!
Love em!!! Awesome fabric. And wow, I sew every night too and don’t get nearly as much stuff done as you… I might have to work on that now.
I love knowing that there are other girls out there who are as crazy-sew-happy as me! And my secret to getting a lot done, is staying up shamefully late, a habit I’m trying to break!
I love these jeans! They look store-bought.
Thank you! Oh my goodness, I just looked over at your blog and almost died over all the amazingness! I love your kid-style! Can’t wait to see more!
SEW STINKIN CUTE!! And glasses? She looks adorable!!
Thanks, Rach! I was thinking about you this morning, did Lili start Kindergarten today too?? Ahah! I can’t believe they’re old enough!
Great Jeans. I love the print
I am toying with the idea of making my little one one from this pattern too (I already made the tunic that the girl wears on the photo). About the sizing: Here in Germany everybody “complains” about Ottobre designs always being too generous. I usually end up sewing one size less than I would need according to the measurement. And most stuff comes out big still (at least when I sew for my girl) – maybe thats the difference between inch and cm …
Best wishes from the other side of the Atlantic
Really?! Ok, so now I think I must be measuring wrong.I usually do use inches, yes, but I have been using centimeters for all my Ottobre patterns. But I wonder if it has something to do with my added seam allowance? Maybe I’m using a slightly larger allowance than I’m cutting? I usually just eyeball it, and maybe that’s why my clothes are turning out a little small. I’m glad you commented, I’ve been feeling like I’ve been doing something wrong with the sizing, so this makes me think that I have to be. I’ll figure it out….Thanks!
So, a little after thought on this. You measure in cm already – so thats not the difference. Then it must be the seam allowance. I do have to admit that I am using a roller cutter with a seam allowance thingy (I don’t know what its called in English) on a cutting mat. That is a huge help because you will have the exact same seam allowance all around and what is the best part for me – no chalking (except for details on the patterns) or pinning needed before cutting! I can really, really recommend a rotary cutter (I just remembered the correct technical, english term for it – but still don’t know what the little seam allowance thingy is called *g*).
But its also a possibility that its just my smallish daughter – she wears a 80 – 86 (thats German sizing) in “off-the-rack” clothes (sometimes even a 74 still) at 22 months – that is somewhat small – other children are at 92 already at that age. Or the patterns get less roomy the bigger they are – because older children want less roomy clothes (???). But I have to admit that the womens pattern are usually quite roomy too – I guess for added comfort…
Have a nice weekend,
Susanne
I think I finally figured it out! American patterns base their sizing mainly on the bust and waist measurements, so that was what I was doing. I didn’t even realize that the sizes i.e. 98, 104, 110, etc was the height! My kids are just skinny, but when I based it off their height I got a much bigger size! Mystery solved! Thanks for helping me trouble-shoot!
Love them! And I don’t wear skinny jeans or floral, but those just look awesome on her. I, too, have been sewing every night to boost my wardrobe. I haven’t bought clothes in months, which is really rare for me! Of course, I’ve bought yard upon yard of fabric… Not sure if I see a cost savings yet, but I do love the customization factor. So far I haven’t been able to find apparel fabric for less than $5 a yard – where are you scoring your deals?
I buy most of my fabric at local shops, thrift stores and sometimes Hancocks or Joanns, and I always check Walmart, as they occasionally have some really awesome gems too. I have a guy that I know who works in the garment industry, and I get a lot of stuff from him as well. Occasionally I buy off etsy, but I really haven’t gone online yet. I know there’s a whole world open to me there, so I just need to dive in there. I never pay more than $5 a yard for fashion fabric, and usually not more than $2. If I find a great deal and I love the fabric, I buy it. So I have tons of fabric on hand (too much!!) and usually can just whip something up with what I have when I get the fancy!
I was just looking at your blog, and you have made such cute things! Makes me want to make something for myself tonight!
Mim. Those floral skinny jeans are a DREAM. Your skills blow my mind. They look like they’re straight from H&M or something. She looks darling. Good work!