Welcome to another stop on the Sofilantjes Otium Sweater Blog Tour & Giveaway! Details for the giveaway and a look at Mommy & Me versions are here!
I knew the perfect family to gift the girls and women's versions: My good friend Nicole and her little girls, Ava & Allison. And there's a surprise for her friends later on . . . .
During the tour, the Otium individual girls' or individual women's patterns are 20% off and the Otium Bundle (includes both girls' and women's sizes) is 30% off, no coupon code needed!
There is also a way to win some patterns: A total of 12 patterns will be given away to one reader -- enter the giveaway for your chance to win! Here are the sponsors:
Its a lot to print, tape and cut, but well worth the end result. In fact, for me, having the range of sizes that are available in both girls and women's sizes is a godsend since there's already demand in my family for shirts!
(I usually hang the full printout on a pants hanger in the closet, but this is easier for me as some pieces don't need to be traced, they can be folded at the size to cut)
To be honest, I didn't want to give this shirt away after I made it. Its an awesome design. I made the low back, bow option for all three, but there are several more options available in the pattern.
And ladies, if you're expecting, going one size up gave Nicole enough room for her growing baby bump.
I've been sewing for quite some time (30+ years), so sewing up Nicole's shirt took about 30 minutes.
I believe, if you're comfortable with knits, you can do it in an hour or so. Maybe 2 nap times, after you've had your lunch, and time to clean up the kiddos mess from the morning. The girls' versions can be done in the same amount of time. In fact, if you do not chose the low back, bow option, you will cut 15 minutes from your sew time.
Always remember that the time it takes me to sew can be very different from how long it takes you -- I don't have any kiddos running around anymore (yep, I'm a long-distance grandma). Your busy schedule may interrupt your precious sewing time, limited space, limited time . . . but really, this pattern is very well written, the pieces all fit together very well, and the design is made with great construction techniques. However long it takes you -- you'll be very pleased with the pattern overall!
Then there's the front pocket option. That can add another 15-30 minutes to your sew time, but worth it.
Looking at the girls' fabric, I decided they needed some woodland creatures to put in their pockets. Thankfully, Stitched By Crystal had a free Fox Pattern, which I made in a couple different ways, even shrunk the pieces to 50% to make a little fox for the baby! (just a representation for the girls, as you shouldn't give babies buttons to pull off!)
You can find Crystal's FREE Fox Softie Pattern here:
I used the same pattern to make a raccoon (following the look in the girls' fabric), a Fox, and also reduced the pieces by 50% to make the little fox.
Thanks Crystal!
With so many options -- Short Hemmed Sleeve, 3/4 cuffed Sleeve, Long Cuffed Sleeve, Low Back, High Back, Bow -- you'll get a lot for your money! The pattern covers all seasons. Its a good investment! I love it, and you will too! Anytime you're in need of help or inspiration, just look at the pattern piece for help:
Pattern Support!
Right there on your pattern piece is an email address and link to the Sofjilantjes Facebook Group Page. There you'll find all the inspiration and help you need!
I knew the perfect family to gift the girls and women's versions: My good friend Nicole and her little girls, Ava & Allison. And there's a surprise for her friends later on . . . .
During the tour, the Otium individual girls' or individual women's patterns are 20% off and the Otium Bundle (includes both girls' and women's sizes) is 30% off, no coupon code needed!
There is also a way to win some patterns: A total of 12 patterns will be given away to one reader -- enter the giveaway for your chance to win! Here are the sponsors:
First, let's look at the Pattern:
Its a lot to print, tape and cut, but well worth the end result. In fact, for me, having the range of sizes that are available in both girls and women's sizes is a godsend since there's already demand in my family for shirts!
So I've cut out all pattern pieces to the largest size, and I'll trace what I need when I need it.
To be honest, I didn't want to give this shirt away after I made it. Its an awesome design. I made the low back, bow option for all three, but there are several more options available in the pattern.
And ladies, if you're expecting, going one size up gave Nicole enough room for her growing baby bump.
Surprise!!! I have another (adopted) grandchild on the way!!!
I love the fabric I found at JoAnn's.
There was a sale on all knits in their Doodles Collection, and I had a coupon for 20% off my total purchase. Couldn't pass that up!
Nicole's sweater fabric can be found here: http://www.joann.com/doodles-collection--sofia-reverse-sweater-knit-big-dot-fabric/13421987.html
For the girls, a coordinating fabric with woodland creatures, from the Doodles Sofia collection.
Sewing it up:
I've been sewing for quite some time (30+ years), so sewing up Nicole's shirt took about 30 minutes.
I believe, if you're comfortable with knits, you can do it in an hour or so. Maybe 2 nap times, after you've had your lunch, and time to clean up the kiddos mess from the morning. The girls' versions can be done in the same amount of time. In fact, if you do not chose the low back, bow option, you will cut 15 minutes from your sew time.
Always remember that the time it takes me to sew can be very different from how long it takes you -- I don't have any kiddos running around anymore (yep, I'm a long-distance grandma). Your busy schedule may interrupt your precious sewing time, limited space, limited time . . . but really, this pattern is very well written, the pieces all fit together very well, and the design is made with great construction techniques. However long it takes you -- you'll be very pleased with the pattern overall!
Then there's the front pocket option. That can add another 15-30 minutes to your sew time, but worth it.
Looking at the girls' fabric, I decided they needed some woodland creatures to put in their pockets. Thankfully, Stitched By Crystal had a free Fox Pattern, which I made in a couple different ways, even shrunk the pieces to 50% to make a little fox for the baby! (just a representation for the girls, as you shouldn't give babies buttons to pull off!)
You can find Crystal's FREE Fox Softie Pattern here:
I used the same pattern to make a raccoon (following the look in the girls' fabric), a Fox, and also reduced the pieces by 50% to make the little fox.
Thanks Crystal!
My Recommendation:
With so many options -- Short Hemmed Sleeve, 3/4 cuffed Sleeve, Long Cuffed Sleeve, Low Back, High Back, Bow -- you'll get a lot for your money! The pattern covers all seasons. Its a good investment! I love it, and you will too! Anytime you're in need of help or inspiration, just look at the pattern piece for help:
Pattern Support!
Right there on your pattern piece is an email address and link to the Sofjilantjes Facebook Group Page. There you'll find all the inspiration and help you need!
Don't forget to visit all of the inspirational Bloggers from the tour:
Monday, January 26th
LisaLisa Designs - Vaahtokarkkimonsteri - DIY Crush - Unikuun Terapiahuone - Golden Rippy
