A concern we hear from many sewers is regarding the lack of patterns available for boys and men. We agree! Think about your last visit to a website or pattern book. How many unique or fashionable garments did you see for the guys?
Sure, you can usually find the old button up and possibly a traditional suit… but who makes (or wears) those anymore?
A few months ago I was on the look out for some new resources for boys’ fashions that I could make. There are lots of boys on my shopping lists – two teens, a husband, and a toddler. I like to sew for all of them but I also want to make them things they will wear and not just hang in their closets!
In my searches I found Ottobre design, a company in Finland that caters to subscribers worldwide. I really like their take on fashionable kids’ clothes. The boys’ clothing is current without looking too trendy. I also love that the magazine provides resources for the fabrics they used to create the samples! In a recent blog post they revealed that they will be launching an online fabric store so that we can get our hands on the fabrics they use in their samples! The blog is fabulous. You can download free patterns, subscribe to the magazine, and even preview issues before ordering!
The attention to detail is what really makes these patterns unique. Each piece has a unique detailed pocket or closure. The patterns come folded in the center of the magazine. Each pattern is printed in a different color and gets traced (I use butcher paper) then cut out. This is great… you can reuse the patterns over and over and also trace several sizes of one garment.
Right away I subscribed to the magazine and received a free women’s magazine with my order of four children’s issues. When the first magazine arrived, I hurried to make a little bunting for Rex (my toddler) to wear in the cold weather. The directions in the magazine are short and to the point. I didn’t find it difficult to follow along but, a beginner should expect to need a little help. General knowledge of garment construction will be necessary. The finished product was adorable. Unfortunately Rex grew so quickly… I don’t think I even got a chance to photograph him in his cute little bunting. Oh, well, better get my sewing machine ready for some spring weather sewing!
I’ll fill you in on what I found in menswear later this week!
Looking for another great group to get you inspired? Clara from the Cleveland Craft Coalition stopped by Stitch Cleveland today to
drop off some flyers for the Valentines Day Craft Show. They are a newly formed group of artists and crafters who’ve made it their goal to sell their handmade wares once a month at Bela Dubby! Anyone interested in joining? Drop them a line and tell ‘em we sent ya!
Next Saturday, February 6th from 12 – 4pm you can stop by Bela Dubby for a great handmade show. Bela Dubby is an awesome coffee & beer bar in Lakewood that is sure to get your creativity flowing. Get all of your valentines something handmade and from the heart!
Are you planning a handmade holiday? Leave a comment and share your good Valentine’s Day ideas with us! Someone will get a Valentine’s Day prize…
There is nothing happier than a BRIGHT ORANGE Amy Butler shower curtain when you get up first thing in the morning, and here’s proof:
Karen hemmed it up for me while I was busy with 2 classes (thanks, Karen!) It’s 2 widths of fabric, sewn side by side. I wanted it deliberately long, but this has made it the cats’ new Favorite Hideout. The biggest challenge was spacing the metal eyelets at the top appropriately, since the curtain itself is wider than the liner, but once that math was out of the way, all was well!
If you’ve come in to the shop or taken a class with me, you’ll know that I am always saying (particularly for the felters) that they should check out the local thrift shop for materials. And now the PD has posted a handy-dandy list of local ones: see here!
Speaking of felting, there’s been some interest in doing a hands-on wet felting workshop lately — anyone else on board? Let me know via email or in the comments so I can order extra supplies.
John from our favorite comic book shop (namely Carol & John’s, in the Kamm’s Corners plaza) just stopped by with some fab plushforms for us to customize. Why, you ask? The Midwest Plushform Show, co-sponsored by Carol & John’s and Shoparooni, which is raising money for Toys for Tots! We’ve got applications here at the shop, or drop by either of the above shops — but hurry!
Also, the vendors have been picked, the tables ordered, the helpers organized — get ready, Bazaar Bizarre 2008 is coming! Stitch Cleveland and 80 other indie vendors will help you find the perfect item for that special someone on your Nice List.
Finally — in response to popular demand, Shannon is offering more design your own sweater classes! Just in time for NaKniSweMo! Scared of sweaters? Don’t be. You’ll be designing your own in no time.
We thought it was about time to show all you doubters what a true believer in craft can do! Many people assume that sewing (or any form of crafting) is something you have to do for years to achieve a great result. Not true! All it takes is an idea…
Kellie is a new sewer. She inherited her mom’s old Kenmore sewing machine — the metal kind that almost requires a wheely cart to move it! Kellie spotted some curtains for her nursery in a catalog, but after spending a bit of money on having a crib skirt and some other simple items made she was ready to venture out on her own. She sent us a picture of the curtains she wanted to make and chose her fabric.
Kellie came in to Stitch Cleveland for a private sewing lesson where Megan taught her how to measure, mark, and cut her fabric. After revving up her machine for the first time, she was hooked.
One lesson later, Kellie had finished the first curtain (check out the picture)! Kellie learned enough in her two lessons to make the second curtain on her own… just in time for her new arrival!
We are so happy that Kellie found her “inner designer” that we just had to share her achievement with everyone! You can take lessons, too! Have an idea but just don’t know where to start? Stop in to talk about it and see where it takes you.
what’s everyone saying?