Branching Out
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14 years ago LINK
Rebecca W @craftalittle
motherof5- Thanks!! Yes, the front is patchwork. I think that I used 2.5 in squares for it. That is the way that the front was done in the picture- well, with AMH fabrics instead of the random grouping that I used.
Sarvi- I am sure that I will try something new eventually. But, I am still pretty new to clothing sewing- well, sewing at all. I only started a little over a year ago. And, like you, O+S gives me confidence too! I do want to try to make something for myself (when I am not pregnant anymore!), so I will be forced to branch out, if only for that.
13 years ago LINKdare moi @dare moi
thank god i read this post before i went and subscribed… i shall keep plodding on with the O + S patterns for a while i think to get my skills up.
xoxx s
13 years ago LINKSarvi @Sarvi
Dare moi, you shouldn’t let this thread turn you off completely — I think it’s more a question of knowing what you’re getting yourself into. You could always order a single issue if you see something you really love. To be honest, every time I have tried to sew something that is a non- O+S pattern, I have had to reference my O+S for whatever is the closest design to figure out some part of the technique. I am pretty sure I repeat this comment once every few months, but it’s still true — with O+S you are not only getting the patterns, you’re getting a really thorough lesson in garment construction done well.
13 years ago LINKdare moi @dare moi
So true, I should just get the current issue and have a good crack at it. I always seem to find some fabric in the op shop that i can either turn into something great, or botch it. Then I don’t have to worry about the cost of fabric, and it is more like a trial run. If they don’t turn out, i just donate my dodgey job back to the op shop, or the kids wear the clothes when they go to the farm…
thanks for the re-inspiration Sarvi!
xoxx s
13 years ago LINKTriMama @TriMama
I’m a recent Ottobre convert, and a relatively experienced sewer, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Like O + S, I find that Ottobre patterns just fit well. They don’t compare to patterns from the big 4 pattern companies at all. I know if I sew a size 110cm for ODD it. will. fit. If I sew her a size 4 from one of the big 4 pattern makers, it may fit, or it may not. I’d rather spend time tracing, than trying to fit something on an active kid.
Also, even though the directions are brief, they are correct and easy to follow. There are no errors, like many other patterns (O + S excepted). I honestly find the illustrations from the big 4 pattern companies more confusing than helpful.
I consider O + S and Ottobre to be in a class of their own. I only sew from other sources if I want to make something that can’t be drafted using one of my preferred patterns.
13 years ago LINKTamara @justsewit
I have a few copies of Ottobre design issues that I have used for things such as shorts – primarily boy things as they have a great range and I have the Ottobre t-shirt pattern.
The experience and confidence you’ve built up with Oliver + s tells me that branching out could be what you are needing to extend yourself creatively. The skills that you have learned using the Oliver + s patterns can be carried over to any other pattern you use. And because Liesel uses good quality sewing in her instructions you have actually started off on the right foot.
Ottobre patterns do not include seam allowances so you have to add them when drafting them out. Sometimes the pattern colours can be a bit confusing but once you get used to the patterns and how they are laid out there shouldn’t be a problem. The beauty is that alot of the patterns cater for a really wide height group and you are allowed to basically make the patterns fit your child by height as well as the other measurements.
Ottobre design is European based so they have something different again to like what Trimama said the big four pattern companies. Personally I haven’t used a pattern from the four major companies for years whether sewing for myself or for the kids. I have used patterns from magazines (Australian smocking and embroidery, Ottobre design) and I have found that out of them I have gained much more confidence in my sewing and not only that better sewing techniques than I would ever have gained from the four companies.
All I can say is give them a try and if you don’t feel that it is for you right now then don’t worry. You sound as though you are ready for something to sink your teeth into that requires more of a challenge and this would be the way to go. Oliver + s are great patterns to start off with – I wish they were around about 15 years ago when I started.
13 years ago LINKNicole @motherof5
Justsewit are they like Topkids?
13 years ago LINKdare moi @dare moi
Well, i have ordered the latest Ottobre. Don’t know when I will find the time to get cracking on the projects, but i’m sure i will enjoy looking at the pictures.
Also ‘make it perfect’ – toni recently put out a great looking pair of boys pants, i have her book, and i think my first ‘project’ was from that book, and the instructions were great too.
Of course, i still want more O+S paterns, i think i need to think up a nice storage solution for all my little packets soon!
I am addicted, sometimes i have trouble getting to sleep because i am matching fabric & patterns together….. sad, sad, but creatively sad.
xoxx s
13 years ago LINKTamara @justsewit
Yes a little bit like Topkids but I haven’t seen that magazine for years!! Is that still around? Essentially, Ottobre design have really great patterns but they are without the seam allowances so you have to add them when drafting. The instructions are in English which is always helpful and metric not imperial for those ladies in the U.S – You have to convert it back but it is rather straight forward. Oh and they work with fabric 140cm wide so we have to work out the difference with the 112cm standard width which isn’t really a big deal – just add 30cm onto the total amount.
I like their boy stuff.
Dare Moi, I’m sure when you do find the time to start on them, you will enjoy the patterns. They aren’t hard to work with.
13 years ago LINKTamara @justsewit
Lol, I read the last bit of your post … great minds think alike.
13 years ago LINKNicole @motherof5
Thank you,I have nearly every issue of Top Kids,I have saved them as the designs may be fashionable again.
Off the subject,do you have a SIL who is a teacher?
13 years ago LINKsavingbananas @savingbananas
I love Ottobre and find their directions leaps and bounds above the big 4. Even though most of their instructions don’t have illustrations they are incredibly clear (I found it difficult to go back to the big 4. I’d become spoiled by the excellent written instructions). I learned a ton of different sewing techniques (they usually have 2 or 3 illustrated special techniques per issue) and never felt like my kids clothes looked homemade. I feel the opposite that all of the little fancy details made my kids clothes look beautiful and unique. I haven’t had a new magazine from them in a couple of years though, mainly because it seemed like their boy stuff was being recycled, just with different seam lines. Which makes sense, I mean how many different ways can you make a boys t-shirt or pants for that matter? I also found that 2-3 years worth of magazines was more than enough. I’ll probably never get through all or even a quarter of them. I recently pulled one of my back issues and made a button down shirt with batman fabric for my 5 year old. It turned out way cute.
I’ve just started sewing with Oliver and S and the thing I like about them is they are great wardrobe builders with AMAZING step, by step illustrated instructions with pictures. My sewing has NEVER looked better. The patterns are classic and when made look like they came from high end stores. LOVE…. Love these patterns!
My two cents (if you haven’t guessed yet) look through Ottobre issues, pick your favorite and try it out., See how you like it. Oliver and S has given you a great foundation and you should be able tackle many of the patterns from Ottobre.
13 years ago LINKTamara @justsewit
Motherof5 I used to love Topkids also and I only had one or two copies – I think I threw them out. Don’t know who you were directing the last question to but yes is my answer to that. I did have but she died young.
I bet Liesel beams alot with all the fab comments about her patterns – she would have one very big smile on her face.
I’m working on a way to shrink my children so they can stay fitting into them longer. So far all attempts have failed. With miss 8 fitting into a size 12 top, I’m thinking I will have to look at trying to work out how to enlarge the pattern so that she can wear them again next year. I am also hoping she slows down in her growth for a while so I don’t have to.
I just ordered the latest Ottobre issue this morning. Crafty Mamas is the agent in Australia for them.
13 years ago LINKAnonymous @
I’ve just recently started sewing some Ottobre patterns. I really like them, but if I hadn’t been sewing O+S for the past year I would never have figured them out. The instructions are so incredibly brief that if I hadn’t already learned how to do something from Liesl, I would have been lost. Tracing isn’t as bad as I thought – just have to remember to add seam allowances! I’d recommend starting with a very simple item first. I made boxer briefs for my son first – lots of fun!
13 years ago LINKdare moi @dare moi
Yep, I got Ottobre from Crafty Mamas, then i just had to order some ribbon too- tus my post on ribbon organising.
Apparently it was shipped the other day, so hopefully i will have a package of fun waiting for me any day now.
Yep, start simple, and hopefully by the time the seasons have swung around, i will able to ‘schedule’ some ottobre experimentations for spring/summer ed that i s arriving soon.
I am Making the ‘to do’ list a little bit long.
Thanks for your input everyone
xoxx s
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