Sewing for kids: Ottobre Dandy boy

Last Sunday we went to Brösarp and attendet the opening for the season for Skånska Järnvägar! It’s a society that keeps the history alive by working on and driving old steam trains. The theme for the opening day was "the 50’s". The boys have been anticipating this day, and they ordered "steam train driver clothes". They had waistcoats and shirts since before, but they needed pants.

 

Locomotive 1183, photo by Jonas Andreasson

 



 

I found the pattern Dandy Boy in Ottobre Design 6/2014, and it turned out really well.

 

I used my new coverstitch machine to sew the belt loops. I made a three layer strip, took away the middle needle and stitched it in place. I was a bit tired that night, and did not change the looper thread.

 

I also made it easy for me when I attached the waistbands, folded in half, stitched in place, put the elastics in, closed the seam, trimmed and overlocked the edges, topstitched in place.

 

I have to admit that it has taken some time to finish these trousers! Mostly, because I realized that it was not a great idea to make trousers with 20(!) buttons and buttonholes. However, the buttonholes are "fake" and just for show. Eventually it was not the tedious work I feared it would be to finish the buttons.

 

During our outing the boys got a lot of praise for their clothes!

 

Knitting: Icelandic Cap

I still have some Alafosslopi yarn left after I have finished the Stryta sweater. I’m planning to make felted socks for the kids to wear in the car during winter. It gets really dirty when muddy, wet, winter boots kick the back seat of the car.

I have so much yarn and fabrics stashed, so I will do my best not to put the Alafosslopi yarn back in my personal stock.

To begin with I’ve made a winter cap for my husband!

 

We’re in the middle of summer, with long, warm nights. But now is the perfect time to prepare for winter!

The pattern is from Joanne Seiff Designs, found at Ravelry.

Remake: Ottobre This and that tee

My son got an army tee from his uncle, and I used it to try another tee pattern, "This and that tee" from Ottobre Design 3/2013.

 

 

I intended to reuse the rib knit neckband, hence I sewed both shoulder seams. The original neck band was quite worn so I changed my mind and covered the neckline with fold over elastic instead. I was to tired to rip the shoulder seam, so I simply folded it over and stitched it in place.

 

This was a perfect opportunity to try my new toy!

 

Sewing for men: More Jutland pants

I have posted my pictures of the Jutland pants everywhere, but I realized that I’ve missed to post a close up on the blog!

Well, here it is.

 

My husband has had these pair of trousers for a couple of weeks now, and he likes them very much. The stone washed denim fabric has been coated with Otter wax to make it water repellent. At first the waxed fabric was a bit sticky, but I really like how it softened the fabric when it cured.

The Otter wax is made of beeswax and a blend of plant-based waxes and oils. It’s the only water repellent wax that does not contain paraffin, silicone or other petroleum-based ingredients.

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Vintage WWII American Red Cross suit

My family and I went to the military preparedness museum at Djuramosse the other day. They had an event with WWII reenactment.

I met a lovely lady from England who wore an original American Red Cross summer suit.

 

She looked stunning!

I’ve made some research and the suit is made of light gray wool/rayon fabric. Notice how the seams on the front shapes the jacket!
Please visist Shirley Powers site to learn more!

The skirt has six gores and a lapped zipper at the side seam.

 

 

Lovely buttonhole!

 

Sewing for kids: Ottobre summer shorts

I made a pair of Ottobre Explorer, Ottobre Design 3/2015 shorts the other night.

 

It is great to have the knowledge to maneuver a sewing machine when one discovers that the son does not have a single pair of clean shorts!

Remake: Islandic sweater finished

Just in time for summer I have finished the remake of my husband’s islandic sweater! Well, well, we will have some cold summer evenings, and then this will come in handy.

The original sweater looked like this:

 

 

It was a hand knitted sweater that my husband got from his parents when they were on a holiday trip to Island 20 years ago. Unfortunately, the sweater was too big, so my husband never wore it.

I thought it was a shame! So, I decided to unravel it and remake it in a more fitting size.
I had to be really careful when I unraveled it, it was easy to break the yarn.

 

I was not sure that the original pattern would work in a smaller size, so I used the pattern "Stryta" from this book, Islandsk Strik.

 

I’m really pleased with how it turned out, and now it fits beautifully!

 

Upcycling: Men's sweater

Suddenly, the summer is here, with wonderful, lovely sunshine! My family and I are part of an outdoor life association and I give you some pictures from our meeting last week-end.

 

 

 The mornings are still a bit chilly though. As always, it is our oldest son that is short of clothes. I have been contemplating sewing a sweatshirt from Ottobre Design, but haven't been able to choose a pattern yet.

Now, there were no time for indecision! Last night I grabbed one of my husband's old cotton sweater and my scissors, et voilà:

 

 

Something for myself

I had some old projects laying about that I finished the other night!

At last something for myself!

Sewing for kids: Ottobre design Good Old Basic Jeans

Another pair of jeans is done for the summer. It’s no 21, Good Old Basic jeans from Ottobre Design 4/2015. I made size 116 for my 4,5 year old, and they are a little bit big, but, fit good enough.

 

 

 

The fabric, a purple twill, is from Stoff och Stil, and the pockets and inside waist band are made from a light blue cotton fabric with flowers.

Purple is my sons favorite color, but he is getting doubtful about it after being told at kindergarten that it’s just for girls. I think it’s upsetting that so young kids should have such thoughts! However, I hope that the design and the fire truck will make him more comfortable wearing them outside the house. At the moment he’s enjoying his Easter break, and he is very pleased with the pants.

 

Sewing for kids: Ottobre Design Happy Champ

 

I’ve finished a new pair of pants for our oldest boy. Happy Champ (no 14) from Ottobre Design 6/2014. The little Sir grows faster than I sew!

 

I used an army twill fabric from Stoff & Stil, and there is black fold over elastic around the pockets.

 

I have a pair of pliers from Prym, and I wanted eyelets on the waistband for a more professional look. However, I couldn’t find the tools, so I had to order a new package. The eyelets and the rivets made these pair of pants quite expensive!

I didn’t have any black elastic for the waistband, but I found a solution!

I had to stretch the waistband a lot!

My boy is really pleased with his pants, and I am pleased with the pattern. I used the size 116, and it fits very well.

 

Strathcona henley

Last week end I finished the Strathcona Henley from Thread Theory for my husband.

I had some trouble getting the size of his trousers right, so instead of using the pattern for the shirt I drafted a basic tee shirt pattern. I used the placket pattern piece, and the instructions from the Strathcona.

The henley came together quite quickly, the only tricky bit was of course the placket. I’ve never sewn a placket before, and I imagine that it is easier using woven fabrics.

I measured really carefully:

 

But when I folded the placket as instructed, I didn’t manage to cover the seam allowance. If I had used “the little grey cells”, I would have added a few millimeters on the “right side” of the placket. Live and learn!

 

I would like to have sewn the placket using the machine for a really crisp, nice look. But, I figured that my machine would not approve of so many layers of jersey. So, I hand stitched the placket on the right side.

 

When I was done, I liked the placket better on the wrong side! So, I simply made up the rest of the henley using the wrong side of the fabric as the right side.

 

My husband is really pleased with his new henley, and I will certainly use this pattern again!

Jutland pants and henley shirt

 

 

Finished a new henley shirt for my husband! Looks good with his new jeans!

Remake: Icelandic sweater

My husband got a hand knitted traditional icelandic sweater when he was on Iceland for over 15 years ago. Unfortunately, the sweater was too big, and he has never worn it!

As a part of a new outfit I’m making for him, I will remake his Icelandic sweater!

 

The original sweater has a nice pattern. It is knitted with an unspun yarn, could be Plötulopi.

 

Now the sweater is no more!

I have a book about Icelandic sweaters, and I’ve found a pattern which I hope will work with my colors.

 

Now, back to work!