Sewing for the Boy ~ Simplicity, Burda, Ottobre, Jalie

I don’t sew much for Mr. T anymore.  He’s a 15 year old boy so he is pretty picky on things.  He specifically wants things that are plain.  No graphics, no color changes, no fun… 
He wears hoodies every day to school.  So I thought I would make him a few.
 
First up: Burda 6718



Size: 36 which fits his measurements exactly.  However, it ended up short.  like 2-3 inches short.  Sadness.

It doesn’t look too short here, but it really is with jeans on. He wears it and likes it but I cringe every time!  I'll have to remake it only longer.



Fabric: Midnight Green Cotton Slub Jersey Knit.  I purchased it from Fabric Mart.  It said 4 way stretch but it barely stretches 2 way.  anyway. 2 yards $4/yard so $8 total for the hoodie. 

2nd hoodie: Jalie 3355
I never knew this pattern was unisex.  There are only girls on the front cover.  Then one day I read in a facebook post and looked on the website and sure enough, unisex!!  How perfect because I love this pattern for me and Miss K. 



Size: straight size U.  This is a couple sizes above his measurements.  I know he likes a men’s medium and I wear a men’s medium; I use size U for this hoodie so that’s what I used.  I’ve been using shoestrings for the hoodie string.  It works out great.



Fabric: 2 yards Dark Pewter Rayon French Terry Knit from Fabric Mart.  Purchased in May 2017 for $6/yard.  total for this hoodie $12.  This fabric is so so soft. but heavy because of the rayon. Mr. T LOVES this hoodie.  He wears it every chance he gets. 

Thoughts: I feel like the hem band is way too tight.  I remember I added inches to it for myself and K but forgot for T’s.  I need to add 1-2 inches next time to the width of the hem band. 

Pajamas. This is where I can have a little more creativity with Mr. T.
 
Ottobre 06/2011 # 37 Pajama shorts
I’ve made Mr. T these pajamas countless times.  He loves them but keeps outgrowing them!



This time I made size 170.  This is the highest size Ottobre offers so when T outgrows these he won’t be getting more! 

Fabric: 1.5 yards of this fun pinstripe suiting.  I got it in a scrap box from Fabric Mart June 2015.  It was only $0.83 for the whole bit.  The selvage said “Lana, Storia, 180’s Qualita Moderno” Quite honestly I didn’t know what I would use it for and them BAM!  it became perfect for this project. 



I recently got an embroidery machine and digitized this Overwatch design for Mr. T onto them.  This symbol is for one of his favorite characters in Overwatch.  Sombra I think?  He loves these, I love these.  they wash well and wear well.  Next time I’ll remember to widen the waistband and use 1.5” elastic instead of 3/4”

Simplicity 1021 Pajama Shorts
I thought it would be fun to try this pattern.  It has pockets, it looks cool. 


Size: Small.  I took 1” off the rise because it looked crazy high.  They turned out cute, but short.  Like boxers.  What sucks is that the pattern doesn't list yardage for just the bottoms.  They list it for the total top and bottoms.

Mr. T likes them.  I added a Lobster design and T’s monogram to the leg.  Mr. T really likes these.  I think I’ll make the pants version for him.



Fabric: 2 yards (though I didn't use all of it) Navy Lobster in Cotton Lawn.  I got this back in Feb 2015 from Hancocks on sale for $2.64/yard.  so total for these $5.28


Happy Sewing!

Last Sewings of 2015

Here are the last things I’ve sewn in 2015.  I made them all in the last week and hoped I could get pictures before the new year! 

Pattern: I just couldn’t stay away from the Patterns for Pirates patterns.  I wanted to try the Henley.  It is a bit more fitted than the Raglan so I went with my actual measurements.  I cut and sewed a size L in the bust/waist and XL in the hips.  I sewed the placket neck, long sleeves hemmed, and curved hemline.  Of course this pattern has a ton of different options to sew, like all P4P patterns. 



Instructions and Sewing: The instructions are great but I was just slightly confused with one step of the placket.  You know how I struggle with those plackets!  I still think Jalie’s 2562 incturctions for a placket are the best yet.  The curved hem was very sharp too.  Usually there is a small flat part at the hip which makes it easy to turn up the hem.  This one met at an angle and was a bear to hem.  I had to snip my fabric just to get it to turn.  I’d modify this curve a bit if I sew it again. 



Fabric: The very softest French Terry I’ve ever felt.  Wearing this fabric is like wearing a cloud!  2 yards of Navy Two Tone French Terry Fabric from Stylish Fabric.  Purchased Nov 2015 for $14.80.  I thought it would be much thicker and have 4 way stretch.  It only has 2 way and is really thin, but still super soft.  87% Polyester 9% Rayon 4% Spandex mix.  I can’t recommend Stylish Fabric as a place to buy though.  They took forever to get my fabric to me and most of it was so thin. 



Thoughts: I love the feel of this top.  I love the color.  I’m not sure if it looks to much like Pajamas to be worn in public though.  I also have a bit of pulling across my butt so I need to add a 1/2” of fabric there next time.  I don’t want to take it off, however, so it must be a win!




Pattern: The P4P raglan strikes again!  This is the 3rd one I’ve sewn this month.  This shows how much I love this pattern!



Instructions and sewing: You can read my thoughts on the instructions in my other two posts: elephant raglan and hooded raglan.  I added 2” to the length.  This one is also a size M bust/waist to an XL at the hip.  I used the curved hem, long sleeves with cuffs, and round neckline.  The curve on this hem is perfect and I had no issues turning it up to hem it.  I slimmed 3 inches off each side seam from nothing at bust to 3” at waist to nothing at hip.  I like the slimmer fit. 



Fabric: 1.25 yards of Teal/Purple Print Double Knit, 97% Polyester 3% Lycra; purchased from fashionfabricsclub in Oct 2015 for $6.19 and 1 yard of Peacock Blue Solid Cotton Spandex Knit from Girl Charlee, Aug 2015 for $6.50.  Total for shirt: $12.69



Thoughts: I love this one just as much as the other two I made.  I like that this one is long enough to wear my leggings with!  My hooded one was just a tad too short for leggings.  I feel that leggings aren’t pants, and my tops must be long enough to cover my butt to wear the leggings, lol. 


Next I made a ton (7) Pairs of Jalie 3242 underwear for myself with fabric scraps.  I found this blog post showing me how to have the front and back crotch seams enclosed so I modifed my pattern for this.  I love them all but the bird one (yellow) has to be my fav. pair.  Yes, I used my silhouette to vinyl my underwear!  I’m addicted, what can I say : )  Anyway, I’ve made this pattern numerous times and I just love the fit.  They are so comfortable and actually cover my whole backside.  The best part is that they do not ride at all.  I used fold over elastic on all the leg seams and waists. 




Miss K received two new pairs of Ottobre 01/2009 #29 Saija Sweatpants.  This is her favorite pants pattern.  I think if I counted right this is the 8th and 9th pair I’ve made for her.  I sized up to the 152, reduced the front rise by 1” and shortened by 2” in length.  I use 2” wide elastic inside the yoga waistband to help hold them up. 



Fabric: 1 yard of Bright Purple Velour purchased Oct 2015 from fashionfabricsclub for $3.75; and 1 yard of “mouse” gray velour purchased Dec 2014 from Natures Fabrics for $9.




And Mr. T received a new pair of pajama shorts from the pattern he loves most Ottobre 06/2011 #37 Green Check Boxer Shorts



These shorts have been made 10 times before!
Bear Flannel and Space Nov 2014
Bart Simpson and Perry the Platypus May 2014
Long pjs pants and fuzzy shorts Jul 2013
Altered to shorts with piped pockets Jun 2013
Terry Cloth pj shorts Feb 2013
Space pj shorts with mock fly Jan 2013
Blue gingham shorts with mock fly Jan 2013

Fabric: 1.5 yards Pokemon Characters Blue Cotton Woven.  From Hancocks in Sept. 2015 for $7.71 on sale. 

I sized up to a 164 this time and added 1” to the waistband to fit in my 2” elastic.  They were a bit low before this and is rear was starting to show.  Now they fit great, if a little bit to grow into. 




So that’s it for 2015.  My next post will list my stats for the year and such.   I'm giddy with excitement to look over all my charts and data because I'm a numbers geek like that :D

PJ's for the boy. Ottobre and Vintage McCalls

Mr. T is so picky lately but he always wears the pajamas I make.  I had a ton of nervous energy last week due to my scope being this Monday (2 days ago).  So I traced a larger sized pattern for T from both of our favorite TNT Ottobre patterns for him.  I also altered the Vintage McCall's to fit him better.  I then pre-washed and cut out 3 pairs of shorts and 2 shirts for him.  I have been slowly sewing them over the last week and finished up today. I also ripped up all the carpet in my sewing room on Sunday because I was super anxious about my thing Monday. LOL my poor husband.... he sure puts up with me.

Up first
Ottobre 06/2011 #37 Green Check Boxer Shorts and #38 Zen T-Shirt/PJ Top
These shorts have been made 8 times before,
Bart Simpson and Perry the Platypus May 2014
Long pjs pants and fuzzy shorts Jul 2013
Altered to shorts with piped pockets Jun 2013
Terry Cloth pj shorts Feb 2013
Space pj shorts with mock fly Jan 2013
Blue gingham shorts with mock fly Jan 2013

and the shirt has been made one other time before as well.
Dino pajama top

This time I sized up to a 152 for the shorts and they are just a tad large.  I cut both front pieces with the fly part and sewed them with my mock fly cheat sheet.  I sewed the very last of the space fabric, which is from T's old bedroom like 10 years ago. It is the oldest piece in my stash and now is gone. I had 1.5 yards to use and I have no idea how much it cost when I got it.  T grew out of the other pair awhile ago that I made almost 2 years ago with the same fabric. I added vintage buttons to the mock fly on these.

The flannel wilderness fabric is the softest flannel I've ever felt. It is really nice and plush and washed great.  I added cool vintage buttons to the mock fly on these too.
Fabric: "Timber Lodge Flannel Forest Animals Nature" Robert Kaufman. 100% cotton woven. From fabric.com in July 2014. 1.5 yards for $8.90

The shirt I sized up to a 152. It was a fast sew and I was able to utilize my new binder attachment for my coverstitch.  I also coverstitched the sleeves in the flat before sewing them together. This made sewing the shirt a breeze.  The fabric is a really beefy and soft; cotton/lycra jersey.  1.25 yards. I purchased it in Aug 2014 from Fashionfabricsclub for only $5.50. They advertised it as 10 oz. 95% cotton 5% lycra.  You really take a chance every time you order from them and I was pleasantly surprised with this fabric. Even fabrics with the same description are totally different sometimes when I order from them. They are so cheap though so I like to take the chance.
Total for this pj outfit: $14.40

Vintage McCall's  3041
sewn one other time in Pac Man

I wanted to sew this one more time before T grew out of it.  I have it in a size 10 and I really push it by sewing that size!  He wears a 12 or sometimes a 14 now.  I left the previous alterations for the top but added 1" to the width of the shorts.  They seem to fit him much better than the last shorts I made with this pattern. I'm sad that I won't be making this anymore because it is a wonderful pattern and the instructions are amazing.  I sewed it mostly with my vintage Kenmore, but serged the seams after sewing.  I made sure to line up those crazy ninjas across the side seams and then forgot to take a picture to show you!

Fabric: 1 yard Pure Organic Solid Black, Kaufman, 100% cotton woven.  I purchased this in Oct 2012 for pants for K but never got to it.  I was happy to use it up. I did have to cut the shorts on the cross-grain to get all pieces to fit, though. $8.98. The red is "Ninjas Don't Sweat" in Red by Windham Fabrics, 100% cotton woven. 1 yard. I picked it up Sept 2014 from a Facebook group with this pj pattern in mind.  $6.00.  Total for the vintage pj set: $14.98

I enjoyed sewing all these for Mr. T and I'm happy to add to his pj wardrobe.

Fabric Totals for the year to date:
Purchased in Oct and Nov: 41.25 yards (oops, but I was ill and it felt good)
Stash from before this year, sewn this year: 47.25 yards
All Fabric sewn/sold/gave-away in 2014: 188.25 yards
Fabric purchased in 2014: 195.75 yards

So I had my scope (endoscopy) Monday and everything went ok.  They took a few biopsies and I have to wait on those. My throat and stomach are pretty darn sore from that.  So it's just a waiting game again.

Anyway, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!! Enjoy your festivities tomorrow :-)

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Ottobre 06/2011 ~ #37 Green Check Shorts

I think I can safely say that the season has changed over to Spring for us finally.  We have 40-50°F weather one day and 75-85°F weather the next.  When the weather creeps up for a day or two I try to avoid turning on the air conditioning because I know in 2 days it will be cooler again! So when we had hot weather this past week and everyone was wilting indoors I realized that the kids have outgrown their summer pjs.  Those darn kids and their growing. . .

Mr. T never wears a shirt to bed and sweats even in the dead of winter.  I pulled out my trusty Ottobre shorts pattern and set to make him up some new ones.  You have seen me make this pattern multiple times now and it is most certainly a winner.  The fit is superb and the length spot on.

Other times I've made these:
Terry cloth with ribbing
Blue Gingham
Space Fabric
Shorts with Piping

I sized up to a 152 for T and they turned out a tad big. I'm sure by summers end they will fit perfectly though, and he doesn't mind.  I wanted to use up this awesome Agent P fabric before T outgrows the show. Actually he never watches it anymore but is ok with the print for pajamas only.  I also bought some Bart Simpson fabric specifically for T to surprise him.  He loved them even though they were pricey.

 

I sewed the mock fly on these with my cheat sheet (see below), and used my cover stitch for the hems, fly top-stitching, and waistband top-stitching.  Since I sewed them up assembly line style  they went really fast.  I have 1 more pair to make him and he should be set for summer pjs.  I also plan to make him some shorts out of the same pattern.

I have 2 nightgowns cut and ready to sew for Miss K, and I am still working on shorts for myself but have run into some fitting issues.... those darn fitting issues!

Fabric:
1.5 yards Agent P, 100% cotton , $6
1.5 yards Bart Simpson, 100% cotton, $21 ouch! but they were special for him.

May Totals:
(stash is anything purchased before this year)
Stash used: 0 yards
Fabric Out: 11 yards
Fabric In: 28

Totals for the year to date:
Stash sew this year: 27 yards
Fabric out in 2014: 106 yards
Fabric in 2014: 105.5 yards

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Long PJ pants and Fuzzy Shorts, Ottobre 06/2011 #37

Seems like deja vu around here again. I've returned to one of my favorite, ultra versatile patterns: Ottobre 06/2011 #37.

Other times I've used this pattern:
Altered to shorts with piped pockets Jun 2013
Terry Cloth pj shorts Feb 2013
Space pj shorts with mock fly Jan 2013
Blue gingham shorts with mock fly Jan 2013

This pattern is for pajama shorts; however, this time I've altered them again in a different way.

Up first: Long PJ pants with elastic waist and drawstring.
Mr. T is hitting a growing spurt and finally needed some pajama pants.  This kid never seems to have a shirt on for bedtime and could sweat in the winter.  I wanted to make him something that would be cool and comfortable but last through the winter.

I took the shorts front and back pattern pieces and measured out T's inseam +1 inch from the crotch point of each piece (front and back).  Then I extended the legs down to this measurement.  It wasn't hard at all.  I also added the waistband to the top of each pattern piece instead of having it a separate waistband. I eliminated the mock fly.

Next I sewed them the same as I would for the shorts.  I added buttonholes 1 1/4 inches down from the waistband on each side on the front for the drawstring to come out.  I folded the fabric 1/4 down and pressed (on the waistband) and then attached the elastic in the round with a zigzag stitch.  Next I flipped the waistband down and sewed with a straight stitch all the way around creating the elastic waistband and the casing for the drawstring all in one.  I made bias strips and used my 1" clover bias tape maker to make the drawstring (sewing down each side when finished).  After all this I fed the drawstring through the elastic casing on the pants and hemmed the legs.

I also added a little pocket to the back of these.
Overall sewing time was probably 45 min. I was very happy to use up this fabric in my stash.
Fabric: This project took the full 2 yards I had. It is Pet Park Blue Hamsters Having Fun by Caleb Gray Studio for Robert Kaufman Designs.  I picked it up in 2012 for $6.10/yard so total cost was $12.20.

Next up: flannel PJ shorts.
Nothing much to say here because I've made them many times.  The fit is wonderful and the length is perfect.  I added the waistband to the front and back pieces because I didn't want a separate band. I eliminated the mock fly also.

I sewed these up in 1/2 hour.  I used the same waistband elastic method as I did for the pants: Fold down fabric 1/4 inch on waistband; attach elastic in the round with a zigzag stitch; fold it over again and this time I zigzag stitched the waistband part.

This was a fabric that has long sat in my stash.
Fabric: 1.5 yards of flannel purchased at Hancock's long ago. I don't even know how much I paid sadly.

It is so nice to have a TNT pattern for Mr. T.  And now I'm off to work on some nightgowns and a dress for Miss K!



~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~

Shorts on the Line ~ Ottobre 6/2011, Pattern #37

While on vacation last week I realized it was time for one of my favorite sew-along challenges "Shorts on the Line!"  I was pretty sad thinking I wouldn't be able to be back in time to make some cute shorts I had envisioned in my mind; however, entries are accepted until July! Yay!

The family laughed at me all the way back from Oklahoma because I was testing out options in my mind for the shorts I wanted to achieve.  I wanted to use the leftover PacMan fabric from T's bathrobe and add red piping but didn't have enough fabric :(

I went diving into my stash and found this summery Stretch Yarn Dyed Cotton Shirting in Plaid Turquoise/White.  It is 98% cotton 2% Lycra.

It met the softness test for Mr. T and I had just enough with 1.5 yards.  I bought it from Fabric.com back in April 2012 for a total of $5.07.

I used Ottobre 06/2011 Pattern #37 because it is one of my favorites.  I like how it looks and I knew I could modify it to the shorts I wanted. Previously I had made blue check pjs, planet pjs, and terrycloth pjs out of this pattern.  T likes the longer "skater" style in the shorts.

I traced a size 146 this time instead of a 140 because the other 3 pjs are getting a tad small.  Then I put my medical exam paper over the front shorts pattern piece and traced out the pockets I wanted on the front - and added appropriate seam allowances.

Everything worked out smoothly and I had no problems.  I didn't look at the instructions because I've sewn them enough to know what they say.  I love the piping details I added; they make the shorts a bit special.

Mr. T walked in mid sewing and said "Whoa, those will be like awesome mom" and walked out.  I had to smile.

And we are slowly adjusting to back home-ness from our 2 trips a month apart. Whew! It was fun but exhausting.

Tulsa Zoo

Tulsa Aquarium

~ Happy Sewing! ~ Kristin ~