Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive

Sewing in Public

Apr 23rd, 2007 by Kathy

Before I left on the ASG retreat Greg asked “Doesn’t it seem sort of weird to sew in public?” I’m still laughing.

I’m going to milk my output from the retreat all week. Here’s the first creation:

This is from Ottobre Design Spring 1/2005 #38. I modified the pattern to be short sleeved. The smile is the result of being free of all household duties for 3 days and, instead, sewing from 6:30 am to midnight and having meals served to me in between.

Caitlin’s Eragon costume was the first pattern I sewed from Ottobre. I didn’t really get the whole knit thing at the time. I got the opportunity to learn this weekend. I used the serger safety stitch for the seams. I tried using the cover stitch to hem the bottom edge and sleeves but it wanted to hang a bit as it passed over the side seams. Does Baby Lock make special feet for this, something that feeds more evenly? Feel free to mention user error as a possibility. I switched to the twin needle on my regular sewing machine to finish the job and to attach the neckline binding. I got better at S T R E T C H I N G the neckline binding. I think I get it, looking forward to practicing on another project. It’s so counter intuitive to everything I’ve learned about not stretching the fabric when sewing.

The pattern was incredibly true to the measurement chart. I took my measurements and landed in between two sizes. I chose to make the larger size. Next time I think I’ll try to trace a combination of the two to get a little closer fit.

Several things I learned about tracing my Ottobre patterns:

I used Swedish Tracing Paper from Birch Street. Don’t mess with the interfacing-grid-looking stuff they call pattern tracing material at the fabric store. The good stuff isn’t even that expensive so why don’t just sell it at the fabric shop? No comparison between the two. The Swedish tracing paper has a unique heft that stays put when tracing and cutting fabric and is easy to pin. A pencil writes on it very well.

These patterns do not include seam allowances. I cut the pattern piece as traced and just added the seam allowance by eye as I cut my fabric. Don’t talk to anyone while using this method. There’s a high probability you’ll cut around the pattern piece and forget to add the seam allowance. The advice I was given was to trace the pattern and then add a seam allowance on the tracing paper before cutting it out to use. Hmmm…why didn’t I think of that.

A Flickr buddy sent me a heads up on this Ottobre Flickr Group awhile back. Fun to see what everyone makes. There’s also an Ottobre Yahoo Group that is quite handy for trying to decipher what the *&(#$ the pattern instructions are trying to say.

Posted in Sewing | 14 Comments

14 Responses to “Sewing in Public”

on 23 Apr 2007 at 8:34 am1Anina

I really admire your braveness in making clothes. That top is just lovely. And no one else has one exactly like it!
I’ve made so many flops that I’ve given up on trying to make anything for myself.
on 23 Apr 2007 at 10:06 am2JudyC

“Weird to sew in Public?” Are you sewing some weird way that’s different from the rest of us….like nude? Too funny!
on 23 Apr 2007 at 10:09 am3Daphne

Thanks for the tips. I’ve seen a Clover pattern tracing wheel that has a double wheel that I *think* is for creating seam allowances. Of course I haven’t seen one since I figured out that’s what they’re for (an illustration in a Japanese pattern book gave me the clue) so don’t have one yet. Anyway, I’ve been looking for tracing paper. The reaction at the Joann’s in my neighborhood is “tracing paper? go to the drugstore”–the Bartells is on the same block. The tiny tracing paper works for Wee Wonderfuls dolls but that’s about it.
on 23 Apr 2007 at 11:11 am4Mama Urchin

Looks good and that color is so nice on you.
on 23 Apr 2007 at 1:34 pm5Megan

Just like a bought one.

Must add serger to my (long and ever-growing) list of things I have to buy.

Do you recommend Ottobre? I’ve been wavering on a subscription, I’d be interested in your opinion.
on 23 Apr 2007 at 7:34 pm6Lisa

That would make me smile also Have a great time!
on 23 Apr 2007 at 10:00 pm7Pasha Plum

Hi, I have been lurking around for a little while–can’t remember how I found you–but I love that top. I just ordered the tracing paper–3 for the price of 2!–I have needed some for a long time but have been unwilling to get that gridded stuff, thank you for the tip!
on 24 Apr 2007 at 11:05 am8lindiepindie

I like the Swedish tracing paper, too - mostly because it’s big enough to make patterns for things that I don’t have paper large enough for. I’ve been eyeing those 1/2″ and 1/4″ seam marking pens. I don’t really need one, but I’m sure they’ll come in handy one day.
on 25 Apr 2007 at 6:01 am9Julie

That’s a funny thought…sewing in public…I miss retreats and escape with my friends that understand quilter and know what it’s like to complete something and most especially the design process…it’s all good!

Your top is like butter!
on 25 Apr 2007 at 7:31 am10susan

sewing in public. like painting in public. i know what he means. somehow it is more of a private affair… but anyway, love your top and your wavy lines has inspired me to try and make my daughter a surprise graduation quilt. eeps. did i actually say that in PUBLIC?!
on 25 Apr 2007 at 7:22 pm11Tami

Looks like your sewing retreat was a fantastic success! Your top turned out great. Does this mean that you’re now going to make an entire summer wardrobe of knit tops?

I didn’t realize that Ottobre has adult patterns too. For some reason I thought they were mostly a children’s pattern company. I’ll have to check them out.

I can’t wait til August when I go on my own sewing retreat to Camp Doll U. It’s in Issaquah, WA which apparently isn’t too far outside of Seattle. I hope to have a lot of fun.
on 19 Sep 2007 at 10:12 am12Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive » Playing with Dolls

[…] I had to borrow Molly from my neighbor for the photo shoot. As soon as I put the clothes on her I knew I wanted my own doll, I can’t wait. I used patterns from Joan Hinds’ Contemporary Wardrobe book. A light weight lavender linen for the jacket and my favorite Superbuzzy mini-flowers for the skirt. The shirt should look familiar. […]
on 03 Oct 2007 at 10:13 pm13Bonnie in CO

Your top looks great! I can’t believe that I learn so much about things I never knew before. Like Ottobre. I’ve never even heard of that company! And the Swedish tracing paper? I’m going to have to try that. I used Do Sew from Stretch and Sew for years. Thanks for enlightening me!
on 04 Mar 2008 at 3:39 pm14Pink Chalk Studio » Blog Archive » Sew Expo 2008 - Independent Pattern Designers

[…] As I tip toe back into trying to make some clothes for myself I’m trying to select patterns that will give me a fighting chance. Ottobre has a lot more ease in their patterns. I LOVE that they use real women in their pattern books. The one top I’ve made was very accurate relative to the measurement I matched up on for size. […]