Saturday, December 11, 2010

Summer time, and the sewing is easy.

Wow this summer sewing business is so easy. I feel like I just look at my sewing machine and a garment is completed. Good thing too it means I can get quite a bit accomplished between tanties (life with a 3 year old, said between rolling eyes and gritted teeth).

So here we have another Ottobre tee (02-2010-09), this time in a plain fabric and smaller in strategic places. Much happier with this version, less happier with the linen skirt (02-2010-15). If there was any wisdom to adding large pockets to my generous thighs it'd be the same variety as adding breast pockets to my fulsome bust.

However, the thing I love about linen is no matter when you've ironed it, it always looks creased. This basically gives me permission to never iron it, but pretend that I have: "goodness look at those creases in my skirt, that's linen for you, you'd think this skirt had never been ironed in its life." Pa ha ha



The pockets are just enormous. I'm thinking I'd have no trouble packing a picnic lunch in these:



The back view - there was supposed to be a back vent, but I sewed it into a concealed pleat. Think about it for a moment, you bend over to pick up a child, there's a gust of wind, and you are not wearing your "what happens if I get hit by a bus" underpants. I think you'll agree that making these into slits would be a bad idea:




I have been having strong urges to make another coat so like the dieter who chooses the low fat version I'm going to make a summer jacket instead.

That'll keep me out of trouble for a while.

PS - getting back copies to Ottobre is too too easy - just go to their website, scroll through the editions at the bottom of the page and order one. Yes, it really is that simple.

23 comments:

  1. I love the whole outfit. I'm a big fan of pockets so no complaints from me if they are a nice, hefty size. lol

    Thanks for the tip on getting back issues. I'll have to try that sometime.

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  2. From here, those pockets look like pockets, not extra thigh inches. I like pockets on my hips and thighs because they give the illusion of a waist on my "columnar" torso. Since you've got a waist, they give you an even better one!

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  3. I love your theory on ironing :) Not that I iron much anyway lol
    Those pockets are fantastic! I must see if I have enough linen left over from DS's suit for one of these skirts......

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  4. I guess those pockets do look like you're going out on an army manouvre (or gardening) but the t-shirt has really come up trumps. Hope the jacket hits the spot...in my experience choosing the low fat option means I eat both that and the thing I really wanted in the first place.

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  5. Love the tee, the sleeves are fabulous. And actually really like the skirt, and the pockets don't make you look big. Its a really great outfit.

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  6. Oh the sunshine!

    I think the whole ensemble is fantastic. Both the shirt and the skirt are pretty and flattering. I never iron linen either. Can't we all just quit ironing in the name of environmentalism?

    The pockets don't look too big to me, and they don't make you look at all bulky.

    As for the coat, if you sew the way I diet, you will make a summer coat and then go back for a winter coat because the summer coat wasn't really satisfying!

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  7. I can't see the problem with the pockets - it's a great outfit!

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  8. What are tanties? tantrums?
    The ruffled sleeves are growing on me. I like your improved version. :)

    I do not like wrinkles, so linen is on my hit list. :)

    Pocket is very cool!

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  9. I really like both pieces! The tee with the ruffles is super cute, and I think balances out the hip pockets (which I'm sure will come in handy - life with a 3 year old...). I, too love how easy Otto makes it to get their back issues, although it does mean I tend to indulge in them far too often, especially as subscribers get free shipping.

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  10. I agree, I love summer sewing and I miss summer sewing since it's winter here now! Your outfit is pretty and practical!

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  11. The whole outfit looks fabulous on you. I think the ruffles on the sleeves balance the pockets.

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  12. Wow, I really love this outfit. I like how you made the t-shirt in a subdued color since it has the gather details on the sleeve. Linen is one of my favorite fabrics to wear and sew. I don't think the pockets look bad at all where they are placed. It's a great looking skirt!

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  13. You can never have too many tops! I love the colour of this one.
    I think the skirt pockets look fine, they don't add inches at all!

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  14. My ten-year-old still has tanties on at least a weekly basis (daily if you count the morning fight) /sigh.

    The shirt looks great, and the skirt is fine, even with big pockets. My husband has one linen shirt... once or twice a year he gets ambitious and irons it himself; I refuse. As far as I'm concerned linen is intended for the "soft, casual" look ;)

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  15. Love-love the pockets and they look so good on you. The whole outfit is great. You made me laugh. I can understand your desire to sew a light coat! :)
    Love your style Mary Nanna-

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  16. How fun to see your Ottobre duds. It looks like you've found a good fit pretty easily. I'm still tweaking their tops a little, but it seems their sizing pretty consistent. They also seem to have more ease than Burda.

    I love the outfit. And, honestly? I think the pockets look really good.

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  17. These pieces look simple but not boring, and insanely comfortable, thumbs up!

    And thanks for a few good coffee-up-the-nose chuckles.

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  18. I like how you've spiced up your page. I love the second version of this tee. the dark fabric has such a richness about it. See, this summer sewing doesn't hurt too much, does it?

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  19. I like the darker version of the t also.
    I have subscribed to Ottobre, thanks for the enabling ;). I didn't realize that you could subscribe to the women's versions only.
    Good luck with tantie minimizing. I am still shuddering at the thought of that stage. I am sure they still look at me sideways at the library.....

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  20. Well where else are you supposed to pack your lunch?
    I thoroughly approve your stance on ironing though. Must sew more linen.....

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  21. Well where else are you supposed to pack your lunch?
    I thoroughly approve your stance on ironing though. Must sew more linen.....

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  22. Love the skirt. The pockets would come in handy with little kids. You've just reminded me that my new subscription to Octobre has not yet arrived.

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  23. I love this outfit! And I ADORE that top. Wonderful work!

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