Your thoughts on Ottobre sizing?

[us_three]

I'm like caturn, but the opposite - I find the sizes too large for their height
I take all my girls' measurements and choose the size based on either the hips or chest (depending on whether a top or bottom) and adjust the length to suit. Usually I end up with the width being several sizes smaller than the length - my girls are very skinny!

[grizle]

I find the patterns to wide also. I end up making a smaller size for DS#1 and add heaps of length to it. My other 2 boys ain't to bad at fitting the patterns, although still having to add extra length but not as much as DS#1.

Once you have made a couple things you'll get a feel for how they fit your kids.

[justene]

i always add extra lenth to tops, width i measure there chest and go according to that, all my kids go at least a size skinner than there height, reese she goes at least 2 sizes skinner

my older two are a size 110 height but width of 104 adding seam allowance on top
Reese is height 86cm width 74, she's a runt though

[Gaia]

My first thoughts were did you have the stretch running the right way when you cut the fabric.

[Resse]

My first thoughts were did you have the stretch running the right way when you cut the fabric.

I'm pretty sure I did.
I was very careful to take note of the grain etc..
I also added seam allowances on all edges - so maybe next time I should decrease the seam allowance a bit around the neck area.
The next singlet I make, I will do that, and also lengthen it a bit.

[grizle]

My first thoughts were did you have the stretch running the right way when you cut the fabric.

I'm pretty sure I did.
I was very careful to take note of the grain etc..
I also added seam allowances on all edges - so maybe next time I should decrease the seam allowance a bit around the neck area.
The next singlet I make, I will do that, and also lengthen it a bit.

Normally you don't add a seam allowance to necklines if they have a binding on them, have a re-read of the pattern. You also don't normally add seam allowances to the binding bits either. Which singlet pattern were you making?

[chippergirl]

How do I do stretch stitch on a sewing machine? I just used normal stitching!

A couple of suggestions:

Use a twin-needle (ballpoint/jersey one for knits). It makes a nice finish a little like a cover-stitch, with 2 evenly spaced lines of stitching on the top, and a zig-zag type line on the back (which gives it the stretch).

Use a normal zig-zag stitch on your machine (although that can look like a fairly amature finish, imo!)

Use a figure-eight style stitch - it can look quite good as long as you feed the fabric through nice and evenly so it doesn't bunch up the figure-8 pattern in places. It can also look a little bit girly for the finish on a boy's singlet.

If you look up your sewing machine manual, there is usually a section which shows you which ones are the stretch stitches.

I'd avoid the stretch stitch that looks like normal plain sewing but goes over the stitching twice - it tends to buckle the fabric and look really unsightly.

My favourite would definitely be the twin-needle finish if you can be bothered changing the needle and putting in the 2 spools of thread!

[Resse]

My first thoughts were did you have the stretch running the right way when you cut the fabric.

I'm pretty sure I did.
I was very careful to take note of the grain etc..
I also added seam allowances on all edges - so maybe next time I should decrease the seam allowance a bit around the neck area.
The next singlet I make, I will do that, and also lengthen it a bit.

Normally you don't add a seam allowance to necklines if they have a binding on them, have a re-read of the pattern. You also don't normally add seam allowances to the binding bits either. Which singlet pattern were you making?

OK - I will re-read the pattern. I knew about the no seam allowances for the bindings, and thought I remember the pattern saying to add seam allowances to all sides of the other pattern pieces. I will check.
I was using the free singlet pattern off the website.
Just checked pattern - DUH!!! It says not to add seam allowances to neckline and armholes!! Guess I won't be making that mistake again!! Hehehe... thanks for pointing that out!

How do I do stretch stitch on a sewing machine? I just used normal stitching!

A couple of suggestions:

Use a twin-needle (ballpoint/jersey one for knits). It makes a nice finish a little like a cover-stitch, with 2 evenly spaced lines of stitching on the top, and a zig-zag type line on the back (which gives it the stretch).

Use a normal zig-zag stitch on your machine (although that can look like a fairly amature finish, imo!)

Use a figure-eight style stitch - it can look quite good as long as you feed the fabric through nice and evenly so it doesn't bunch up the figure-8 pattern in places. It can also look a little bit girly for the finish on a boy's singlet.

If you look up your sewing machine manual, there is usually a section which shows you which ones are the stretch stitches.

I'd avoid the stretch stitch that looks like normal plain sewing but goes over the stitching twice - it tends to buckle the fabric and look really unsightly.

My favourite would definitely be the twin-needle finish if you can be bothered changing the needle and putting in the 2 spools of thread!

I have just looked in my sewing machine manual, and it didn't have a stretch stitch at all!
I have never sewn with twin needles before, but must give it a go. I just sewed two lines of straight stitch next to each other - looks pretty even.
I agree with you that two lines of straight stitch on binding looks good. I can't imagine it with a zig zag.

[grizle]

I find that pattern pretty good. For a singlet - like for summer it'll be fine in length. But for winter singlets i like mine really long. The neck openings are fine on mine. Definately take off the seam allowance and see how it goes.

Just about to make a couple for my boy actually. For some reason after 2 other kids i have no singlets in his size

ETA - if you use straight stitch make your stitch length slightly longer, i find it has a bit more give.

[podg]

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3839/video-a-neckline-binding-for-knits might help...

I've read other reviews that found the neck of this pattern a bit small, so you're not alone.

I use wooly nylon in the bobbin when I use a twin needle, I find bindings work better when they are narrow, and if it was just a singlet for under other clothes, I'd definitely go for a zigzag as it's simple, very stretchy, and won't distort the fabric.

[podg]

http://omi-creates.blogspot.com/2010/02/baby-boy-onesie-with-binding-tutorial.html
quite good too.

[grizle]

http://omi-creates.blogspot.com/2010/02/baby-boy-onesie-with-binding-tutorial.html
quite good too.

Thats cute, and very tidy binding

[Claire]

the best binding tute I've come across is
http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/2010/06/ ... -knit.html

But I think that the seam allowances are probably the problem. If you have an extra cm all the way round that's going to make a massive difference.

[podg]

That's the tute I spent ages looking for last night! Bookmarked now, Thanks Claire!

[Resse]

So just another query on sizing in general:

If you have a child whose sizing works out inbetween sizes given in the pattern - how do you figure out which size you should make/base your pattern on?

Is it like rounding where if they are 1-3 cm over say, you keep it at the smaller size? Or is it always if they are over (no matter by how much) you make the bigger size?