This series is sponsored by Baby Lock. For over 40 years, Babylock has been dedicated to the love of sewing by creating machines for sewing, embroidery, quilting and serging – all with ease-of-use, high quality and a touch of elegance.
Many of you have heard me gush about Ottobre before, but I’m always happy to spread the European-fashion love. Ottobre—if you don’t know already—is a Finnish fashion design magazine that includes about 40 complete patterns per children’s issue. The designs are amazing! They’re modern, playful, functional, well-designed and creative. My heart skips a beat every time one shows up in the mail, and my kids love to slowly peruse each issue, making special orders for what they want me to make (especially Twinkle). They have become my go-to source for kid’s clothes patterns, especially for their wide range of basics, and well-designed , professional collection of jeans, pants and jackets. Each issue is loaded with patterns for both knits and wovens, and the project’s difficulty range from beginner to advanced. I absolutely love my Ottobre subscription!
Each Ottobre issue prints 40 patterns onto the front and back of four 3’ X 2’ sheets. There are probably around 5 patterns on each side, and each are color-coded for you to trace onto separate paper (love my exam-table paper!). Most of the time it’s not bad, but sometimes with patterns that have a lot of pieces it can get confusing. I suggest lots of good lighting, reading the instructions completely through before cutting out, and referring often to the diagram of cut pattern pieces diagram.
Everything thing I’ve ever made from Ottobre patterns has fit really well, been very well-designed, and turned out so professional-looking. The construction techniques are logical and extremely well-written (I’ve always been so impressed with whoever is translating them! It is important to note though, that there are no step-by-step diagrams, only written instructions. This means that you do have to be familiar with basic sewing techniques and terms beforehand. I wouldn’t suggest Ottobre to most beginners, but that being said, you don’t have to know everything to have success. I would say if you have a good foundation then you’ll do well, and you’ll certainly learn a lot as you go, I know I have. The sizing takes a bit of a learning curve as well, because it’s all done in centimeters. When determining what size to make, in my experience it’s best to base it on your child’s height rather than their chest and tummy measurement.
For Stretch Yourself, I decided to highlight the Harem pant pattern (#2 and #11) from the Spring 2011 issue, as it has become a real favorite around here. I have made this pattern FIVE times (they have a baby size as well), and my daughter is STILL asking for more. It is so simple, so unique, and so comfortable, which is why we both love this design so much. She calls them her “genie pants”, and she has even gotten requests from her friends for some (not happening!) I actually would love to sport some of these myself! (hint hint for the women’s issue!)
I seriously can’t say how much I love Ottobre! You get a ton of bang for your buck, and even one year’s subscription would give you an amazing collection of patterns. To me it’s just so exciting to have patterns for such modern and playful European designs, and to be able to produce such professional looking clothing! Here are some of my favorite knitwear Ottobre designs that I’ve made in the past! Merritt’s Grandpa Sweater, baby leggings, the Frenchie Stripes Tee, Birthday Flounce, and a cardigan and tee. In the pictures below Twinkle is also sporting a basic puffed sleeved tee from Ottobre that I’ve made close to 10 times (1/2011 #24)!
Details:
Pattern: #2 and #11 from Ottobre’s Spring 2011 issue. Child’s size 110.
Fabric: a slinky rayon knit I got for $2 a yard.
Check out Miranda‘s Ottobre project, I adore that little hoodie! I love the binding and owl print!
For your own chance to win a one year’s subscription (!!!) to Ottobre Design magazine (children’s AND women’s editions!), simply enter a comment below before January 25, 6 pm MST! PS that’s like a MILLION patterns!**closed**
68 Comments
I have never heard of Ottobre, but it sounds like a great magazine! I would love a chance to see it.
I love the look of this harem pant – and also Miranda’s adorable owl hoodie! I would LOVE to win the Ottobre subscription, it would really inspire me to go new ways with my sewing, I think. Thank you so much for this knit series, it has been both enlightening and inspirational! And also I think it has finally ended my doubts about sewing with strechty fabrics.
So, thank you!
I have not heard of Ottobre, but I definitely plan on checking them out! Thanks for showcasing them and for hosting the giveaway!
I’ve heard of Ottobre but never checked them out- will DEFINITELY be checking them out now though- those pants are so cute!!
I haven’t had the chance to look through Ottobre either, though I have heard of it before. Would love to get this opportunity to win a one-year subscription and expand my sewing horizons! Thanks!
What a great gift this would be.
BTW, I have really enjoyed your serger series. Thank you!
Oh my gosh I really, really want to win this. I’ve been eyeing them after you first mentioned them and haven’t quite taken the plunge. Please let me win!
And I have to say, Twinkle looks so much like my little sister when she was young. The hair, the glasses, the facial expressions. It’s like looking in the past!
I have been wanting to take the plunge and purchase a subscription for the last year. It was even on my Christmas wishlist
Thanks for the great giveaway and reviewing the pattern.
Oh no another magazine subscription! But this one seems sooo worth it.
That would be so exciting to win. Although I don’t have kids yet, the women’s one would be awesome to have. I’d really like to get into sewing knits so this would be a nice little push in the right direction! Thanks for the great giveaway
Ottobre is so awesome! I have been following this series with excitement to start sewing with knits again!!
o man, I love Ottobre I just got a subscription from my husband for my birthday but would love to have another year!
Wow, I plan on checking this magazine out! Thanks for sharing.
I have been very interested in Ottobre ever since I found the free tank pattern they have. I always hope my library would get a subscription as well but it hasn’t happened yet. Might have to get a subscription myself.
oooh!! PATTERNS!! I’m excited!!
eeeek … best giveaway ever! THANKS!
Fantastic work!
I love Ottobre too. From what I’ve seen, they have great children designs..
Thank you for the chance to win a subscription to Ottobre! I’ve always wanted to try them!
Always fun to try out new patterns and styles.
Thanks for the chance.
I visit Ottobre web often, but I have never decided to subscribe me.
Maybe this is the moment
I can’t even tell you how excited this would make me. I’ve wanted a subscription for YEARS. I suppose, I should just fork out the money, but if I win this, I would be SUPER, SUPER happy!!!
Oooooooo!!!!! Fabulous giveaway! I do love their patterns
Uh, I so wanna win this!!!
I have learnt so much from this series, thank you. Would love the chance to explore these magazines all year. Fingers crossed
Wow, that looks amazing! Hope I win! And thank you for doing this series- its been great!
I’m blown away with all your information and GREAT giveaways through this series! THANKS!! I hope I win THIS one!!!
What a great giveaway! I would love to win this one!
Oh, I love Ottobre so much. Would love to win this. Thanks for all the great posts over the last two weeks. They’ve been so inspiring!
I love the Ottobre magazines! I’ve purchased two of the women’s magazines and would love to have them all.
I want to win this, but I’m pretty sure I don’t deserve it. I’ve been practicing, though!
What a great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity.
This is the best giveaway … would put it to good use!
I’ve seen these patterns/magazine online. I was always intimidated to purchase the magazine thinking I’d never be able to sew one of the items. If I won the subscription I’d give it my best shot though!
I’d love to get my hands on this! Thanks.
OMG I would love to win this!!!!!
This is awesome! I’m recently in love with Ottobre magazine.
Thank you for having these great giveaways!
Wow this subscription would be awesome!
I love European designs, but have never sewn any, and if your kids love looking through the designs, what a great testimony to Ottobre’s cuteness!! Thanks for the giveaway.
Wow. Those pants are beyond awesome.
That is an awesome prize! I would love to win.
Great patterns–I hope that Ottobre will be introduced more widely in the U.S. In the meanwhile, I would so love a subscription–please enter me in the giveaway!
~Jen
I’ve been thinking about subscribing to Ottobre – it would be amazing to win!
Fingers crossed here…I love Ottobre but don’t have the budget at the moment.
Would love this!
Oh, I would love to win!
I would really enjoy actually being able to see Ottobre after hearing so much about it.
O what fun! I love those pants!
These pants are great; I would love some of these…and a subscription!
I’m married to a stubborn Fin AND I love Ottobre so I really think I should win this.
Those pants are awesome. I really want to make some for my daughter. Too bad it’s so hard to get a hold of that magazine.
I’ve always read about how much you love the Ottobre patterns. I would love to try them!
ive been dying for some of these patterns!!!!
everything you have made from their mag is soooooo amazing!
I would love a subscription to Ottobre! I have been admiring their style for awhile now, just can’t afford the subscription.
I’d love to win a subscription- and to the children’s AND women’s… oh my!
Cute pants. Another great giveaway.
Love Ottobre. They have such unique ideas
I’ve read such good reviews of Ottobre and have two kids. I would *love* to win a subscription!
I love this magazine!!!
I’d love to win the giveaway
I just discovered this magazine and I love it … would be great so I pointed
Oh!!! I love OTTOBRE!!!!
I would love to win!
Stop it! What a fabulous giveaway! I just started hearing about Ottobre and am so interested in them!
I would love to win! the patterns are amazing-Jen
This looks like so much fun! I’d love to win!
Ew da lolly I didn’t enter for this give away too. Here is my entrance, just barely! Well here its 5:00 but I guess there it is 4:00.
What a great give-away!
Just found your website via Me Sew Crazy
I’ve never heard of Ottobre before, but would love to know how I could order a subscription! I went to ottobredesign.com, but don’t read/speak finnish…hee hee! Thanks, and I love your website!
Hi Brooke, nice to have you here! When you first go to their site, there’s a list of language options on the left side, and English is the second choice down. That will fix your problem! I definitely don’t read finnish either!
You’ll love Ottobre!