Ottobre 01-2005-22 T-shirts For My Boys

My boys have been wanting me to make them something and I have tons of high-tec knits in my stash so I decided to make them some long sleeve t-shirts. Of course I headed straight to my Ottobre mags to find just the right shirt. This was a great t-shirt. It was very easy to sew up and my boys love the fit. I ended up making 3 (the other one is black with grey contrast) and my son who is in the pictures wants more. I think I am done with this shirt for now. Some short sleeve shirts are in order now. Summer is coming and it might be warm enough to wear them. :)

Pattern Description: Long sleeve t-shirt with shoulder yokes cut from different fabric. Bound neckline and contrast cuffs.

Pattern Sizing: 104-128
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, my garments looked like the picture.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I found the instructions were pretty easy to follow. I did have to make sure that I marked the shoulder line. More of the contrast goes to the front than to to back. The first shirt I made I attached the shoulder incorrectly. I put more of the contrast in back. For the other shirts I made sure I marked the shoulder line well.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? It was a great pattern. It went together pretty well. I didn't understand why they put in a zipper. I didn't put one in my shirts.

Fabric Used: high-tech knit from Rose City TextilesPattern alterations or any design changes you made: I removed the zipper. I also used contrast knit fabric for the shoulder yoke instead of the woven the pattern called for.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? DEFINITELY! My youngest son has asked for another one.
Conclusion: Great t-shirt pattern. I like the interesting detail on the shoulders. The shirt sewed up very quickly.

Just thought I would leave you with two more pictures. This shows what Alaskan kids do on the first nice day that comes along after a long winter. It is sunny, 45-50 degrees outside, there is still snow on the ground and my kids are having a water balloon fight. My kids are so anxious for summer. Can't you tell. :)

Thank you for stopping by. Have a great day!

Until next time...

Birthday Kuspuks for my Nieces

All of my nieces have their birthdays in November and December. I find this to be really inconvenient (like it was at all up to me). I love to get them presents and I only get to do it once a year because their birthdays and Christmas are so close together. Plus, all the sewing for them is done at one very crazy time. This year I did more sewing for them than usual. I already posted my 6 year old niece's Christmas dress. This post will be about the Alaskan kuspuks I made for my 6 and 3 year old nieces for their birthdays.
Kuspuks are traditional Eskimo dress for men and women. There are different types for different times of year. For the winter they are made of fur and are very warm. I saw quite a few of these on New Year's Eve when we went to see the fireworks. They looked so warm and cozy. The summer style is usually made out of cotton. For women and girls they can be a shirt or a dress or a coat. The version for men and boys (snowshirts) are the same style with out the ruffled skirt and can be used as shirts or coats. They are a very versatile piece of clothing.

Front of Kuspuk for 6 Year Old
(My son is modeling and I promised his face wouldn't show.)

Back

Kuspuk for 3 Year old

(She has plenty of room to grow.)

Pattern Description: The kuspuk is a light fabric parka that is worn in Alaska during the summer. Eskimo women make it in bright prints and wear over their fur parkas in winter to protect the fur.

This pattern by Lois is designed so the flounce may be left off during construction of the garment to make a boy's parka or a shorter summer parka. The garment slips over the head and has a front zipper. Almost any type of colorful material may be used, although the fabric should be durable. Decorative braid or rickrack is used to trim the garment.

Pattern Sizing: I purchased 6-8 (child) but they are available in toddler up through adult sizes. I made the 6 for the 6 year old and sized down a bit for the 3 year old.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. The picture on the front is a pretty basic sketch but my garment looked pretty much like the sketch.

Were the instructions easy to follow? They were okay. Most was fairly clear. They didn't give clear directions about attaching the pocket or placement lines where to place pocket. Zipper instructions were also very sketchy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that it is an authentic pattern created by Alaskans and used by Eskimo women. It is a very cute shirt/dress. It can be worn for a while even as a child grows because it can be a dress or shirt.

Fabric Used: cotton I purchased years ago probably from Joann's.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I didn't put in a zipper. I wanted to use my new snap press and snaps so I adapted the pattern. All I did was add about 1 1/4" to the center front of each front piece. I also folded the flounce in half and gathered it to the top so that it wasn't as long and I didn't have to hem.

Close Up of Snap Front

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? My daughter would like on but right now I don't feel like making this again when I have so much else I would like to sew. I would recommend this pattern to others if they want and authentic Alaskan garment.

Conclusion: A pattern with sketchy instructions but worth making if you would like this type of garment.

You can purchase this pattern through Northern Threads in Fairbanks, AK.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great day!

Until next time...

It's been SUNNY!

I know that I haven't blogged in a while. Long periods between entries was not what I wanted to happen. This blog is supposed to motivate me to create something consistently. Well, I have been doing some knitting. My socks are coming along. BUT, is has been SUNNY! Now for most in the "lower 48" this isn't any big deal. Up here in AK sun is everything. The world stops for sunny days. This past week it has been in the 70's and glorious. I know, this doesn't sound warm to most, but again, up here it is FANTASTIC! I cannot remember the last time we had weather like this in August and I have lived here my whole life. So, you will have to cut me some slack. We are too busy playing. I will have plenty of inside time come Winter so now I MUST PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!

Fishing Weekend

Well, I haven't blogged for a while. Every time I try something comes up. Sewing has been on hold for a bit while we enjoy the last days of summer up here in AK. I did sew my daughter some Tinkerbell jammies for her birthday because she wanted them so much. Being the loving mother that I am, desiring only to satisfy my childrens' every wish (lol) I stayed up until 3 AM sewing the night before her birthday.

Okay, back on track. Last weekend we went some property my Grandparents own down on the Kenai Penninsula (about 2 hours south of Anchorage). This property while not attractive in itself it is right on the Kenai River and looks across at some beautiful scenery. And oh yes, it is a GREAT salmon fishing spot. Every year the 'reds' (red salmon-some of the best tasting salmon I am told) come in en masse and my whole family (quite the family reunion) flocks to this piece of land (it is actually a giant sandbox surrounded by RV's and travel trailers.


This run, which coincides every year with the Nordstrom Sale, brings great excitement. I spent the weekend watching people pull in tons of fish. My children were very excited to get in on the action. They loved fishing. They did not actually hook anything because they were not using fly rods but they got to bring in some that their uncles hooked.













My kids thought that the best part was beating the fish on the head till their 'eyes got wide' once they were brought in to shore. Yes, all weekend my children ran around with the fish whacker whacking and killing innocent fish.
They LOVED it! I LOVED it too. Not the fish whacking but the fact that my children were totally entertained and I could do whatever I wanted. I should have been knitting a sweater for my 5 year old but I read instead.

This was his first salmon. Next year he is planning on catching it all on his own. They both now have 2 cans of fresh smoked salmon to enjoy. They are pretty pleased with themselves. My daughter cannot wait to make dip with hers.

Red season is over for this year. Fish has been smoked and canned. We can now enjoy the fruits of our labors. Well, they all can. I do not like fish! I know, I know, how can I live in AK and not like fish? Just a flaw I guess!