Bunny rabbit toddler Halloween costume

Hi again.  Oh, didn't I tell you I'm going for the "Least Updated Blog of 2011" award?  I think I have a pretty good chance of winning that one...


Unfortunately I've got no big news or juicy gossip to excuse my absence.  My sewing machine has been gathering dust save for a few projects here and there.


Halloween was my last big project at the sewing machine.  Since this is probably the last time I can decide what costume L will wear (by next year she'll surely be much more opinionated), I brainstormed an outfit that would meet the following requirements:
- warm enough for wearing outside, and able to wear layers underneath
- minimal fuss to put on a toddler 
- can be assembled using stash fabrics


Inspired by this rabbit costume I found on Etsy, I fell in love with the idea of a long sleeved bunny rabbit suit.  I was browsing through some old issues of Ottobre to find a good starting point when I found the entire costume drafted for me in the form of a "piglet coverall" winter bunting, only I needed to replace the small pig ears with long bunny ears, and replace the curly tail with a white fluffball.  

Ottobre Autumn 2006, pattern #5 - piglet coverall

I raided my stash and settled on some heavy grey wool jersey - the Vera Wang stuff from Fabric.com that everyone went crazy over two years ago.  This fabric turned out to be much thicker than I expected, better for outerwear than a top or a dress.  The floral cotton print is from a thrifted bed sheet (because don't all moms who sew and blog eventually use a thrifted bed sheet in their children's garments?).

The legs and arms ended up being really long, but nothing some foldup action couldn't solve.  

 

I was even thinking that I could reuse the costume next year, or share it with someone else in need of a bunny costume, until I threw it in the warm wash with my other laundry and it felted into a small, stiff, sad little outfit.  Good thing I only spent one night making it.

More comfy sleep set PJs

I am having too much fun making PJs for L.  Here's another set of the Stitch Magazine Comfy Sleep Set PJs that I first showed you in my previous post .  The dark pink fabric is from an old t-shirt I was about to donate and the other fabrics and ribbing are from the stash.  L is just starting to stand on her own and walk, so here she is showing off her new skill.

Photo from www.green-cotton.dk

I was inspired by these pajamas that I found on www.green-cotton.dk (the direct link to this product no longer exists).  I like the mix of fabrics and the knee patches.

Miss Sarah asked if I hemmed the two front bodice pieces together or separately - I hemmed the them together as one.

Now that the evenings are getting warmer, I may adapt the pattern to make short sleeves instead of long and shorts instead of pants.

Stitch Magazine comfy sleep set

During a recent gathering with my local BurdaStyle sewing group, I learned of a website called Sew Daily from the Interweave group that publishes Stitch magazine.  The site has quite a few free pattern downloads available, the caveat being that the download only contains the pattern pieces and the instructions are found in a corresponding issue of Stitch magazine. I found a pattern for some fun kids pajamas that appeared in the Spring 2011 issue, the Comfy Sleep Set. I don't have the issue but decided to give them a try anyway.

Photo from Stitch/Interweave

Description by Stitch Magazine: "Inspired by the traditional kimono, this sleep set is perfect for active toddlers. The ribbed-knit cuffs on the sleeves and legs fold up and down for extra growing room, and the comfortable elastic-free waistband gets its stretch from a little spandex in the knit." Designed by Bonnie Ferguson

The pdf download includes the pattern pieces for the shirt and the pants, and it provides the dimensions for the various bands of ribbing.  In this post from the pattern designer's blog, you can see that there is ribbing around the waist as well.  The only thing I wasn't sure about was the size of the seam allowance (which I assumed was included in the pattern), so I just went with 1/2" and that worked well for me.

I used a mix of fabrics from the stash - the striped fabric came from a thrifted t-shirt, the solid in the bodice is leftover from when I made these leggings, and the rib knit is from Joann, purchased in anticipation of one day needing it for toddler-wear.

L is currently nearly 20 pounds and 30 inches tall - I made the 12 month size and there is plenty of room for growing, which is a plus.

Stitch Magazine offers the pattern in sizes newborn - 12 months, and Bonnie Ferguson added sizes 18 months - 5T on her blog - how cool is that? I definitely see more of these in my future, and they are a fun way to use scraps and repurpose old tees.

Ottobre's New Star bodysuit

I've been taking a "music and movement" class with L, and the babies are supposed to wear a onsie, something unrestrictive. She's in cloth diapers which are more bulky than disposables, so a lot of RTW onsies leave her diaper cover exposed. I decided to make this Ottobre bodysuit with the goal of keeping her diaper cover hidden.

Ottobre 1-2011-1, New Star bodysuit

Incidentally, there is an identical bodysuit in Ottobre 6-2009, in that issue it's called the "Puolukka" bodysuit, and it's also the first pattern (6-2009-1). I compared the pattern pieces and they are shaped the same as 1-2011-1, the only difference is that the neckband and hems are finished differently.

One thing I didn't know about Ottobres until I started buying them - they give the names and ages of all the little models - how cute is that?

Fabric
The cotton knit is from a thrifted Lane Bryant t-shirt, I was even able to reuse the neckline binding for the cuffs and leg inseam/snap area. Snaps are from Snap Source.

Notes on construction/alterations
I made a size 74 several months ago, and it still fits her now at 11 months and nearly 20 pounds. The only change I made was to lengthen the strip for the neckline binding. I can't remember what measurement Ottobre used, but it seemed like it would be way too small to fit over L's head.

Conclusion
The one thing that annoys me (and is totally my fault and not a pattern drafting issue) is that the top crotch seam is longer than the botton crotch seam, so it doesn't stay closed very well between the snap fasteners (especially visible in the flat garment photo).  I'll pay more attention to that next time.  Otherwise, it's a great piece that can be worn solo or with pants.