Unloved Fabric and Loved Patterns

When it comes to sewing I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately. For me, sewing has always been something that I did for fun. I've never put pressure on myself to sew something or get something done. I like to sew gifts and make special outfits for my kiddos.

Well, as it turns out I need to make a lot of my girlies outfits for school this year. Like many of you probably, money is tight right now. I will most likely buy their jeans and an odd thing here or there, but I really need to make use of the fabric sitting on my fabric shelf.

I stare at my fabric everyday. Hoping some sort of inspiration will hit. I'm just not feelin' it. Usually I know right away what I will make with what, but right now I just can't make up my mind.

Last night it hit me that I just need to jump in and make something, even if I'm indecisive. So I decided that I would start using up some knits that I'm not in love with. They just sit there. Sad really.

 These knits, not including the Michael Miller blossoms, have been sitting on the shelf for a year. I kinda feel like my girls have outgrown the prints as far as clothing goes. I don't plan on making them anything more for the summer, and they aren't really wintery. By next summer I don't think they will like them. The Michael Miller, well, I ordered that colorway by mistake and I don't like it at all. It sure would feel satisfying to sew them up and not see them on my shelf! So what do you make with fabric like that?

Jammies! May not be school clothes, but something my 6 yr old really needs for fall!

Jammies, like these....

And these...

And these...

And surprisingly, as jammies, I like the prints now! The last ones are my favorite. And, when the weather starts getting cooler again, my big girl will have something new in her jammie drawer. I feel SO good to have those few yards off my shelf! And, what is better than snuggling your kiddo when they are wearing nice thick cotton jammies, sweet smelling hair, right out of the bath. I love that! The knits in the last two pair are from Chez Ami. I think they have the best knits (I like them better than the Michael Miller I just bought for quality).

If you're interested in the pattern, I made these using patterns from Ottobre magazine. The winter 2009 issue.

Ottobre is a really wonderful Swedish pattern magazine FULL of children's patterns (they put out women's issues as well). They vary in the number of patterns in them from issue to issue but I would say average about 30 patterns an issue?? Ranging in size from newborn to 170cm. 4 issues come out per year. A subscription is a little pricey but if you sew a lot they are actually quite inexpensive for the amount of patterns in them. I love just sitting with a hot tea and leafing through them in a quiet moment. Now, in my 30's, that's what I find fun. How times have changed! :)

There's only one thing you should know if you've never seen this magazine before...

The tracing is sometimes less than fun! To cut down on paper the pieces overlap. In the magazine each pattern has a color code. You look up the color on the pattern sheets and just trace those pieces.
Ottobre could very well be the reason I hate tracing!

When you are done though it is so worth it. Lots of staples and patterns I have used over and over (and I don't generally like using the same patterns over and over). Every item I have made the pieces have fit together like a dream and the fit on my kids has always been good!

Maybe not for the complete newbie sewer as the directions can sometimes be minimal, but if you have a pretty good handle on garment construction I think you will love these.

In the past year I've acquired a little stack.

You can see inside all past issues on Ottobre's website, which is really cool! You can also buy individual magazines if you are only interested in patterns in certain ones.

Now, go and sew up some unloved fabric from your fabric stash! You might be surprised that you actually like the outcome! Jammies are a good place to start. :)