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

Sewing for small ones

My nephew and niece were at my mom’s last weekend soI sneaked in some measurements.  Then I came home and ambitiously cut out quite a few things to sew for them. 

I have no little beings to sew for besides them and it is such a fun and quick process.  I was able to use scraps for all these!  Scraps!  So rewarding.

First up: Aurora by SUAT
I know you’ve seen these cute dresses on Miss K recently when I tested the pattern; it goes together so qucikly and is so cute so I popped out a size 3mo on the height and 12 mo. on the width for my 8mo old niece.  These are knee length.  Gah they are so cute!







Next I made two tanks for my nephew.  The left one is Ottobre 03/2011 #12 “Happy Animals T-shirt” in size 98cm (he’s 3).  In the magazine there is an infant in this tank and a older kid size; however the toddler size is a T-shirt so I compared it to the largest infant size and modified it to a tank.  I added his nickname of “little bear” to the shirt.

The one on the right is Ottobre 01/2013 #15 “Victor Mesh Tank Top” also in a size 98cm.  I added the paw patrol graphic to the front with my silhouette and heat transfer vinyl.  It turned out way better than I expected. This is his favorite character so he was happy to see it. (I made this tank for Mr. T before in Feb 2013).






I’ve made the above tank 7 times before in the older kid size for for Mr. T
The first time in pirate – fun fact, I just took this away  because it’s so small now on him, March 2013
An upcycle blue stripe that he still wears for bed, may 2013
More upcycling with Hurley, Blizzard, and Pokemon– too small now & were donated, May 2013
And Orange stripe and monsters – which he still wears, June 2014


Finally, I made my niece this outfit.  The top is Ottobre 03/2011 #6 “Diamond Deer Sleeveless Jersey Top” in size 56cm height, 74cm width. 

The shorts are Ottobre 03/2011 #5 “Bubble Stripes Jersey Shorts” in the same 56cm height, 74cm width. 


My binder attachment for my coverstitch made sewing these pretty fast.  However, they did take me all day because I had to design, cut, apply the vinyl as well as cut and sew them all. 

I sure hope they enjoy them!

Happy Sewing!

Kristin

Battle of the Joggers! ~ Burda vs. Ottobre

The other day I compared two Raglan T-shirt patterns; today I’m comparing two Jogger patterns.  What are joggers you ask?  Well, they are essentially tapered sweatpants or loose, knit type pants with tapered ankles.  All the “cool” kids seem to be wearing them and they look pretty darn comfortable so I thought I’d give them a try. 
Keep in mind that my “joggers” are to be worn as pajamas. 

First up is BurdaStyle 11/2012 #135


Size:  The pattern goes from a size 34 up to a 44; my hips are in the 48 size range so I knew I needed to grade up.  I measured the flat pattern meticulously to see how my measurements compared.   Because of this I used a size 42 for the front waist/hip grading to a 44 for the thighs and back to a 42 on down.  For the back piece I used size 48 for the hip, grading to a 42 for the thigh on down.  I had to take 4 inches out of the center back seam for my sway back, yikes! 



Instructions: I didn’t read them.  Sorry, Burda instructions are horrible and I knew how to put the pants together.  I omitted the pockets on these at the last minute because I wanted to be able to adjust the fit as I sewed.  I didn’t like the huge bottom cuff on the original pattern (It was 7” high after folding over!) so I added 5” to the leg inseam and reduced the cuffs by this same amount.



Fabric: 1.5 yards Navy Blue Cotton Lycra knit.  Purchased June 2015 for $7.88 from fashionfabricsclub



Thoughts: I’m not loving these.  They are really baggy in the front and also in the back waist.  They aren’t very cute looking at all.  The cuffs were super tiny and the legs not so much so I had to really stretch to get them on.  The waistband is yoga style and I had to take 1” off each side just so the pants wouldn’t fall down.  I already attached the waistband because I was fed up and “over” these so I couldn’t adjust the bagginess.  They will work for PJ’s but if I make this pattern again I need to seriously size down the front and also bring the back down a size.

I'm only showing you this embarrassing photo of my bubble butt so you have an idea of the fitting challenges associated with it's size. 

Next up are Ottobre 05/2011 #5 ~ Loungers Sweatpants


Size: This pattern goes from size 34 all the way up to 52.  (Yay for Ottobre sizing).  I measured this flat pattern too and settled on size 42 for the front and 42 for the back.  However, I added 1” in the back hip and 1” for a Full Butt Adjustment.  I had to take out 4 inches of the center back seam for these too because of that swayback.  I also had  to shorten the inseam by 3 inches because these were super long! 



Instructions: Straight and to the point.  Typical of Ottobre. 
Fabric: 1.5 yards White/Black Lace Print; cotton lycra knit. Purchased for $7.88 from fashionfabricsclub in November 2015. 



Thoughts: I’m loving these.  They are super comfortable.  The print is fun for pajamas.  The pockets are sewn down onto the front piece so they aren’t flopping around.  I omitted the drawstring for comfort purposes.  The pants are a bit baggy overall;  If I make them again I will have to size this pattern down by one size.  My wild print makes it hard to see the details, sorry. I can assure you I feel like a rock star wearing this around the house!



For me the winner is the Ottobre joggers. 

• They are super comfortable
• The pockets are stitched down so no flopping
• There is a wide range of sizes offered

I’ll stick with that pattern and put the Burda back into the filing cabinet.

Miss K had to join me for the pajama party