A few months ago I was visiting a local sewing shop wanting to buy my fourth pattern for children’s clothes over a few days. The woman in the shop asked me if I knew Ottobre, and I replied that I didn’t. She gave me a quick introduction to the Finnish magazine, and I thought I’d try it out to see if she was right in her praise, so I bought the latest issue – in Swedish (which proved to be a mistake as I’m not that familiar with the Swedish sewing terms…).
I must say the advice she gave me was pretty good! This is what I have made from the issue I bought that day, and I have found a few second-hand issues as well, so I have been making quite a few of their designs lately. Now the style of their designs for girls is generally a bit too romantic for my taste, but it doesn’t take much modifying to make it more simple - often choosing a different fabric will do the trick. In each issue you get more than 40 patterns for children’s wear from size 62 to 170 (occassionally with premature sizes as well), so I think that you definitely get your money’s worth. I don’t have any boys to sew for, but their patterns for boys are also really cool. I have been so satisfied with it, that I decided to subscribe for the kids issues (4 each year) – in English, though, to make sure I understand what they are talking about.
This bag is my latest Ottobre-creation (made it yesterday), and it is actually a pattern that you can download for free from their website. It’s quite easy to sew up, so go right ahead. 
In addition to the Ottobre magazines, I stumbled upon a Yahoo-group called the “Ottobre English Sewing Group”. It’s a group for people who are using the Ottobre patterns for their various creations, and it’s great for sharing experiences and discussing problems. It’s connected to a Flickr-group, where you can find lots of inspiration looking at the many different versions of clothing people have made from the Ottobre patterns. On top of this, the members of the group are a great bunch of people from all around the world, who are enormously encouraging and helpful!
The next issue of the Ottobre Design magazine is up in a few weeks – I’m looking forward to seeing what they have come up with this time!
4 Comments
You’re sewing projects are all so beautiful! Thanks for the tip about Ottobre…I have 2 little girls and will look this up. I notice you use corduroy material in several items. I’m curious what sewing machine you use? Mine is very basic, and doesn’t handle thick materials well.
Oh! I am so gald I found your blog through Flickr! I am having an Ottobre Sew Along at my blog and will get endless inspiration from your work:)
Thank you!
Your work is beautiful.
Hi,
Your bag is great! I made this one also almost a 1.000 times! Great fora little present for little girls!
I LOOOOOVE this pattern!
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