Ottobre 4/2023 #4: Shirt and Ottobre 1/2022 #6: Overalls

Photos

Pattern Background

As noted in the title, both of these pieces are from the Ottobre pattern magazine (single issues are available from the Ottobre website). Both are available in sizes 62-92 (approximately newborn through toddler).

The shirt is drafted for knits with about 20% stretch (your average single knit jersey). There’s a couple of snaps at the shoulder.

The overalls are drafted for woven fabrics. There’s two offset pockets (one at each hip) and one pocket at the chest with a non-working buttoned flap. The straps cross at the back and have two buttons on each strap for better sizing as your child grows. There’s also tucks at the knees to help facilitate room for crawling (which I really appreciate for him right now!) and elastic at the back waist to help keep things snug.

Materials

For the shirt I used a cotton/lycra jersey from Nature’s Fabrics for the main fabric, and a cotton ribbed knit for the neckline binding. The snaps are KAM plastic snaps. I interfaced the section where the snaps are secured with Pro-Sheer Elegance from Fashion Sewing Supply.

For the overalls I used a navy stretch corduroy from Gorgeous Fabrics.

The buttons are wood buttons from Amazon. I also interfaced with Pro-Sheer Elegance from Fashion Sewing Supply.

Construction and Fit

I made these about six weeks ago and chose a size 80, as I was paranoid it wouldn’t still fit for Halloween. Well, as with the Green Bean baby set I should have instead gone with an altered 74. It ended up too big. I usually cuff both the sleeves and pants legs. In the photos they look particularly loose because he’s got a disposable diaper on today instead of a cloth one, so there’s far less bulk in the seat area.

The shirt went together easily enough. My issue was when setting in the snaps I had to try several times before I got them to secure properly. Ottobre has you set one of the snaps along the binding but it was just too bulky and I kept having to redo that one particular snap. I had also never used plastic snaps so there was also a slight learning curve.

The overalls weren’t difficult, just time consuming with all the pocket curves and various details. I ripped out my topstitching a few times because I was unhappy with it, so that took some time. Once they were completed I had issues with the straps not staying in place, so I crossed and topstitched them in the back. I need to move the stitching as I just guessed about where to place it, and it ended up being too high. But I do recommend stitching the back straps in place for more security.

Conclusion

This set gets him a LOT of attention when we are out and about in public! Some people have remarked on how it is slightly unusual for American baby clothes.

I am not thrilled with the snaps at the shoulder and would probably use an envelope style top for shirts in the future. It was just too fussy setting the snaps with all the bulk of the ribbing.

I love the overalls! They are cozy and so sturdy when he crawls in the ground outside, and give a more formal appearance than knit pants. The tucks at the knees give him plenty of room to bend his knees when he’s crawling. A well designed pattern! I am thinking of making another pair for him in the near future.