Ottobre Safari Shorts ~ The most perfect shorts I've ever made

If you follow me on Instagram or here on my blog, you know I have been tireless in my pursuit of well fitting bottoms.  As a pear shape, it has been super hard and sometimes very frustrating to get any bottoms to fit me.  With a difference of 14 inches between my waist and hips, it has been exhausting.  I put in so much work researching fitting issues, adjustments, how to fix wrinkles over the years.  At times I would actually cry and want to give up on sewing as I felt like it was hopeless; but I always came back and it would surprise you how much I have researched on the issue.  My family jokes that all I do is stare at crotches and butts!  Back to these shorts; I am happy to say, they fit amazing!  They are the best fitting shorts I have ever made to date.

Pattern: Ottobre 02/2017 #5 Summer Safari Shorts

Date Sewn: I tissue fit these first back in May or June 2018, then I started sewing them June 21, 2018.  After setting them aside for a year, I worked on them again in Jan 10, 2019.  And I finally, finally finished them 2 years later on July 14, 2020.

My measurements at the time:  when I started my waist was 31 and hip 45, now my measurements are 32 waist, 45.5 hip.

(forgot to iron the front here, oops).

Size used: 42 waist to 46 hip

Instructions: typical Ottobre where you only have words.  I find if I go very slow, line for line and reread before sewing I do ok.  I had no issues with these shorts – everything was explained well.

Alterations: on the back I scooped a good 3/4”.  I also added 1/2” from hip to hem.  On the front I added 1 1/8” to the front crotch extension at the inner thigh tapering to 1/2” at the bottom of the front inner thigh.  I changed the pockets to be general open top pockets instead of the flap ones the pattern had. Initially I had put on pockets that were just too small and they looked funny; so I added larger pockets.

(here is a tiny pocket shot)

Fabric: Robert Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Linen Blend Fabric, Malibu, Fabric I purchased from Amazon.com in March 2018 for $8/yard.  It is 45% cotton, 55% linen.  I used 2 yards for a total of $16.  This fabric is awesome.  It is soft, yet has linen properties. The color is awesome. I went back and bought 3 other colors they had.

Thoughts: First, I must say, this is a stellar issue.  I have made 6 things from it so far, and I still have 6 more things I want to make from it!  That has got to be a record for the most makes in an issue for me of any of my sewing magazines.  Secondly, I love love love these shorts! They are so awesome!  I love the fit, I love the color, I love the fabric.  If I had to change anything it would be to lower the front rise by like 3 inches because I can’t stand things up by my stomach.  other than that I wouldn't change a thing! They are close to perfection!

Other makes from this issue:

• Ottobre 02/2017 #11 – Tee Shirt Dress (I still wear this a lot)
• Ottobre 02/2017 #2 “All Day Long” Rayon Jersey Top
• Ottobre 02/2017 #8 Hide Away Hoodie (I still wear this often too!)
• Ottobre 02/2017 #9 Stream Leggings
• Ottobre 02/2017 #14 Wide Leg Pj Pants – sewn, waiting on top
• Ottobre 02/2017 #13 Swing pj top – cut, not sewn yet

Yet to sew from this issue:

• #1 statement tee
• #3 loungewear pants
• #4 sunny side of the road jersey dress
• #7 Basic concept linen coat – coming soon actually!
• #10 Casual Friday Shirtdress – also coming soon!
• #11 Painted T-shirt dress – I need a second one!

Thanks for reading! Kristin

A Tale of 2 Dresses ~ P4P Sweetheart and Sunshine

Pattern: Patterns For Pirates – Sweetheart Dress Made previously: Navy Roses in June 2017, L/S stripe in Mar 2017, Dk green renfrew mashup in Mar 2017, ITY knit in Oct 2016

Date Sewn: I finished most of this dress Apr 2020, but waited forever to hem it. I was deciding whether to raise the waistline or not and then just stalled out on the project.

My measurements at the time: 39 Bust, 32 waist, and 46.5 hip

Size used: XL (my other 4 were made in a size L, but I felt like 2 of them (ITY and Ponte stripe) were a bit tight so I bumped up to an XL – which is what my measurements are anyway. I used the short sleeve version with full circle skirt.

Alterations: 1/2” forward shoulder adjustment – common for me.

Fabric: “American Beauty Pink Roses on Pale Aqua,” med-weight, 4way stretch, double brushed poly spandex, $8.50 a yard. Pattern took about 3 yards.  Purchased Nov 2017 from Purpleseamstress. Total fabric: $25.50

Thoughts: I don’t know. I just don’t “love it.”   Is it ok? yes. Does it look ok? yes.  But that is as far as it goes.  I did have to go back and raise the bodice by an inch as I felt it was too frumpy when it was lower.  I like this fabric with my Laundry Day Tank, but I don’t really like it as a full dress.  I don’t know, maybe I’m being silly, maybe I’m thinking forward to fall and this dress is not really for fall at all.  Maybe I just prefer darker colors?  My mind keeps thinking this dress is made for Easter, or for church, or for church on Easter!  I Loved my other 3 of the 4 I made previously; however, now that I’ve made the Miss Ruby Tuesday dress from 1 Puddle Lane, I kind of prefer that one instead of this pattern.   It seems to fit better and has way more options.  Who knows. I put it in the closet and will see if it gets worn when summer rolls around again. Pattern: Patterns For Pirates – Sunshine Dress bodice, mashed with Sweetheart Dress Skirt

Date Sewn: I made most this dress April 2017, yes, 2017 lol, and then didn’t like how it was fitting so I threw it off to the side and never thought about it again until I dug through my UFO pile this year. I had stopped shy of hemming and arm bindings.

My measurements at the time: I wish I wrote them down, but sadly I did not. I was about 1-2 sizes smaller than I am in the 2020 photos. Below are some photos when I first made it in 2017.

Size used: Straight size Large for both the bodice and the skirt.

Alterations: none

Fabric: A nice soft teal double brushed poly. Double Brushed Poly Spandex Jersey Knit Teal Fabric By The Yard, purchased March 2017, 3 yards for $6.98/yard from Amazon/fabric.com.  I see they still have lots of colors left.  Thoughts: I still do not like how the bodice fits. I wanted to finish the dress finally so it was complete and it is. But I still do not like it. There is just too much weird pulling at the side seams and the bodice is cut too low. The side seams pull awkwardly in on both sides, they do not remain straight and the “gathers” at the front are not really gathers – they are just weird folds.  I like the look of a faux wrap top.  I like the color of this fabric.  I love the circle skirt.  I don’t like the bodice.  I have a few other patterns now with this sort of style bodice (miss ruby tuesday, and sinclair joanne) so I will give them a try instead.  When I was trimming my binding on the arms of this I cut into my dress   I was so angry and sad. I fused a piece of the same fabric to the back so you can’t tell too much but the damage is certainly done. I am going to use the skirt from this and just sew up a new bodice.  I don’t think I have any of this same fabric left so I will have to figure something else out.  My UFO pile is getting smaller and smaller!

Thanks for reading!

Kristin

2020 Fall/Winter Sewing Plans

Fall is here! I’m so excited.  I love fall; it is my favorite season.  Here are my fall to winter sewing plans for this year.  I plan to make some of the things I had on previous fall lists but didn't’ get to, as well as some new things.

So far I have completed and sewn SIX things

Patterns From left to right, starting at the top:

First up, this Ottobre cardigan that I’ve been meaning to make since fall 2014. I’ve had the fabric and everything all ready for it the past 6 years so let’s finally make it! 05/2011 #13 Next is a Sinclair Harper Cardigan (COMPLETED). I have wanted to make it since making the Blackwood Cardigan last September, so I can compare the two.

The Paprika Jasper hoodie I have wanted to make forever.

Burda 01/2010 #105 is the sewing course for that issue. I am excited to make this zip up hoodie. I have a fleece backed wind proof type fabric to use.

Also, these Burda corduroy pants! I started tracing and altering last year but then gave up and moved on to something else. I want to finally make them this fall. Burda 02/2014 #143 Lekala 1653 top, another in my “to-do” list for years completed! I need to finish this Burda button up shirt. It has sat in half-finished state for 5 years (I am ashamed!). Burda 12/2009 #124 This Burda wrap front top I wanted to make last year, and planned it to go with the Burda corduroy pants.  Burda 07/2009 #122 Sinclair Joanne Faux wrap dress completed! Jalie Jeanne pjs with some soft waffle knit completed!

Burda 01/2017 #126 robe with a silky satiny-type fabric

Jalie 2567 fleece robe. I can’t wait to make this because my 2 robes just like this are falling apart. I am not totally set on this fabric, but we will see.  Completed April 2023!! I have a nice fluffy robe now! Its super warm. 

And adding to the plan is:

This Ottobre Coat (COMPLETED) I have been meaning to make since Spring 2018.   Ottobre 02/2017 #7 And this Ottobre Shirtdress 02/2017 #10, also wanted to make since Spring 2018

So there you have it! 1st day of Fall (in my book) and I have my plans all set.

This is the year to finish all my planned makes from previous years. A catch up year, so to speak.  I’ve been doing a good job so far; I just need to keep this momentum up.

Thanks for reading!

Kristin