Monday, October 20, 2008

And now for something . . .

Completely different. Every once in a while, you just have to make something practical.

I've been trying to get to the gym on a regular basis. I still have gym clothes that are wearable, but I don't have much to wear OVER the gym clothes on my way there. The gym's only two blocks away, so I don't need a heavy something, but I don't really want to wear one of my nice jackets over my sweaty gym clothes.

So I made a hoodie. I'd never thought about making one before - I've never even owned one - but that's because they're generally either oversized, gray and shlumpy, or petite, shiny and expensive. I wanted fitted but practical - and washable. This is Ottobre 5/2007 #19.

The worst thing that has come out of this project is a budding addiction to Ottobre. The pattern drafting on this was immaculate, the sizing was right (I made a 38, which is my normal BWOF size, and the jacket was fitted, which was what I wanted; if I wanted a more classic hoodie fit, I would have gone up a size) and the instructions put BWOF to shame. The only down side was their pattern sheets are a little harder to trace, but not all that bad.

There were a few nice details - cuffs and bands were fabric rather than ribknit, and the inside seam joining hood to neck was faced with a strip to keep the seam from rubbing. It's the little things.

This morning I went on Ebay and picked up a few more issues of Ottobre. When I got that last issue, I thought it was cool that the clothes were on real people, but then again, being accustomed to the sexy, fashion magazine style of BWOF and Patrones, none of the clothes drew me. Once I traced off this jacket, it struck me that Ottobre actually makes real clothes for real people, and that's what most of us wear most of the time.

A new reason to wait for USPS to mis-deliver my mail to my next-door neighbor. I'm just thankful she doesn't sew.

11 comments:

Janene said...

I love your hoodie...

-E said...

I totally sweat you. I was just eyeing the men's hoodie in the Oct Burda...

Dawn said...

I love your hoodie. Super cozy looking. I think Ottobre is like comfort food while BWOF is like exotic take-out. Mind you I don't actually have any Ottobre experience. But I do have one winging its way to me right now. It's the 05/2008 magazine. Now I won't be a Ottobre virgin either.

luckylibbet said...

I commented on PatternReview, but will add a few thoughts here... I've been resistant to BWOF, mostly for price ($80/year is a lot for me), but mostly for a reality check. Hey, I'm a stay-at-home mom - I don't need glamor, I need real clothes for real people. Beginning to sound like Ottobre is more my style. But as far as I can tell Barnes & Noble doesn't sell it in single issues, like I can score a BWOF from time to time. Is there a source for single issues before I commit to a subscription? Thanks in advance.

Elaray said...

Great job on a functional piece of clothing. It seems everywhere I turn, something or someone is reminding me (indirectly) to start exercising again.

cidell said...

Then you would love Knip Mode. Very normal people modeling very functional clothes. When I get back, I'll send them to you. Or, we'll make a playdate.

Meg said...

Love the glam gold zipper. An unexpected touch!

Melissa Fehr Trade said...

Nice sweatshirt! New clothes are a great gym motivator I find! I absolutely love BWOF and KnipMode and Patrones but I just can't work up any enthusiasm for Ottobre whatsoever. Even just looking at the line drawings and ignoring the photoshoots, they're so... blah. I don't quite know what it is.

But I do slightly take offense at your "real people" comment - I am very much real and the majority of my clothes are from BWOF! (though today happens to be a KnipMode day, heehee)

Connie B said...

Nice Sweat! I just started a fitness class this week and immediately recognized my need for workout clothes that are acceptable outside the house! I will have to take a look at that Ottobre

Cennetta said...

Nice little hoodie. Like Lindsay T the gold zipper is a nice touch.

Kat said...

Your post is one of several that has me thinking about making a few workout wear pieces.