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

Cardigans

Normally it is cold this time of the year so I thought I’d get a jump on that and make some Cardigans. 

This pattern is another “Patterns For Pirates” beauty.  Once again there are lots of options that come with it.  You can make short sleeves, long sleeves, 3/4 sleeves. Hemmed sleeves, banded sleeves.  Hemmed or banded bottom.  Elbow patches.  Regular collar or shawl collar.  Shirt length or tunic length.  Buttons, snaps, or none. Pockets or no pockets.



The first one I made with this awesome Ponte from Hobby Lobby.  I was walking through the store 2 weeks ago in search of Navy Cotton Lycra (no luck), and saw this on the clearance rack; it spoke to me so I picked up 3 yards with no project in mind.  Two days later Patterns for Pirates had a huge sale and I knew it was destined to be a cardigan. 



I made the Tunic length, banded;  Long sleeves with cuffs, pockets, and the shawl collar. My measurements put me in a size L Bust/Waist and XL in hip but I made a straight size L for some reason. I did remember to do my 1/2” square shoulder adjustment.



Instructions: Detailed, full of pictures, step-by-step hand-holding.  The instructions are wonderful.

Fabric: 3 yards Ponte knit from Hobby Lobby, $15 total. 



Thoughts: At first I wasn’t sure if I liked this style on me or not.  I do not have any leggings or boots to wear with this. I really do not have any plain tees with “pop” to wear under it.  However, after wearing it with my black yoga pants and tee, I was loving it. The length is great and it is nice and warm.  I didn’t put any buttons on because I didn’t want any and frankly I can’t get it to close over my hips….  I really need to grade to an XL in hips, like the pattern tells me to. Anyway, I love that it sews up really fast ; this was a 2 hour sew.   Now I need to make some leggings and a plain tee in a bright color like teal to go with this. 



I made the cardigan a second time because I needed a black cardi to wear to my husband’s Christmas party.  It was not a fancy event but I wanted to be a little dressed up and not just jeans with tee.
For this one I made the shirt length + 2inches, banded hem, long sleeves with cuffs and shawl collar.  I stayed with size L because I was being lazy and the pattern was already traced.  This one has the 1/2” square shoulder adjustment as well. 



I only had 2 yards of black cotton lycra knit and hoped to squeeze it out.  I got all the way to the end and realized I didn’t have enough fabric for the shawl collar.  I ran into Wal-Mart to grab a yard of their black cotton lycra (which I love).  It didn’t quite match my other fabric but I did not care at that point.  This one sewed up equally fast.



Fabric:   2 yards Black Cotton Lycra (10 oz) from stylish fabrics, just purchased, for $13.80.  And then 1 yard Black Cotton Lycra from Wal-Mart for $5.98.  for a total of $19.78



Thoughts: I needed a plain black cardigan because it will go with everything.  I’m happy with how it turned out; however, on the shirt length the pockets are a bit high and not practical.  I would put in side seam pockets next time if I used this length.  This one does not close over my hips either, but this is my error and not the pattern’s fault.

Silhouette Excitement and Miss K Sewing

My mom (who is the best ever) gave me my Birthday present early.  A Silhouette Cameo!!!  Oh how I love this thing.  I was impatiently waiting on some vinyl to come so I could make my first design.  Well, it came and I just went for it.  I made my design, the machine cut it out, and the next thing I know I have the best sweatshirt ever!

This is the Jalie 3355 hoodie that I made in April 2015.  I was sort of “meh” about the sweatshirt but then I wore it a few times and it is amazingly comfortable to wear.  So I loved it but it was so plain.  Well, plain no more!! Here is my new favorite sweatshirt debuting my first ever vinyl creation!

My “I’m so flipping excited” face

And my smug “I’m going to make tons of these” face

I’m going to have loads of fun with this thing. This is the Siser Easy Weed Stretch Heat Transfer Vinyl.  I wanted to make sure it wouldn't crack when my fabric stretched.

Anyway, on to the sewing. 
Miss K picked out some fleece (oh how I dislike fleece) at the store and asked for nightgowns.  I dug up a vintage Kwik Sew from the 70s it is #628 and is a simple nightgown with short, medium, or long length and bonus panties!  I sewed up the medium length in a size 12 for Miss K grading out to a 14 in the waist and hip, per her measurements. 



I made the elephant one first and Miss K approved.  She asked me to make the Inside Out fleece out of the same pattern.  So the bonus is that I had it already traced off.  These sew up really fast too.  It's a pretty shapeless nightgown which is downright perfect for a 9 year old.

I had to beg her to take pictures and she wanted to use the remote by herself.





Fabric for elephants: 1.5 yards “Elephant Party Gray and Blue Microfleece” purchased in September from Hancocks for $5.93 on sale.



Fabric for Inside out: I carefully squeezed this out of 1 yard of “Disney Inside Out Emotions Packed Fleece” also purchased in September at Hancocks for $6.72 on sale.



I also made Miss K up another Jalie Dolman ~ 3352
I sized down with this one to a “N” for the shoulders/bust and a “Q” at the waist/hip.  Unfortunately K thinks this one is too tight in the sleeves and shoulders.  I’m not sure if she will even wear it.  She prefers the ITY fabric like the one I made her in October.



I may just take the Navy sleeves off and hem it to be short sleeves.  She seems to have a problem/irritation where the seam on the sleeves meet. The fabric is Rayon Jersey.  The elephants are scraps from my shirt the other day, the Navy is also scraps from that shirt. I would say the Navy was 1/4 yard for $1.31 and 1/2 yard of the elephants for $3.75 for a total of $5.06