This series is sponsored by Baby Lock. For over 40 years, Baby Lock has been dedicated to the love of sewing by creating machines for sewing, embroidery, quilting and serging – all with ease-of-use, high quality and a touch of elegance.
I am so excited about this final review and giveaway. Ottobre Design is a huge European pattern magazine with editions available in six languages. They print four children’s magazines and two women’s magazines per year, each containing over forty patterns! I first heard about the company from Mim, and was intrigued by how much she seemed to love them. Actually getting a magazine in my hands and trying out a few patterns completely converted me, though. The designs are current yet classic, and I have enjoyed every one of the pieces I’ve made so far. In fact, yesterday I finished a cardigan for myself from their Women’s edition, and it’s my new favorite thing!
Ottobre has generously offered to give away an entire year subscription to both the women’s and children’s magazine (over $80 value!) Be sure to enter the giveaway today!
For this review, I chose to make the Be Careful Out There hoodie from the 4/12 Ottobre children’s edition. I was challenging myself with the half-zip front, and the fully lined hood. I couldn’t be more happy with how it turned out. Milo absolutely loves it and asks to wear it all the time, which makes me want to sew his whole wardrobe! Thanks to Ottobre, I have the huge pattern resource to sew almost anything for my boys. Now to find the time…
Ottobre patterns are laid out and packaged in a super innovative way. They have to be to fit forty patterns in several sizes into the centerfold of a magazine! Each edition comes with four fold-out, poster-sized printouts containing all of the patterns overlaid in different colors. Each pattern must be traced before using. This adds a step from regular printed patterns, but it also allows you to have a ton of patterns in the storage space of one, which is a huge plus for an apartment-dweller like me. I traced this particular pattern onto medical exam paper, but have also traced Ottobre patterns using taped-together printer paper and even tissue paper leftover (from a gift) in a pinch (ahem…whipping together Eliot’s Dalmatian costume the night before Halloween.) Once you get the hang of it, the tracing is quite simple, and becomes an easy step.
The instructions for each design are similarly condensed into a short paragraphs within the magazine. It helps to have some idea of general clothing construction when approaching one of these projects, because except for more technical skills (like zipper insertion) the steps are simply described. I have successfully completed several items, and have only scratched my head a couple times. Everything has turned out alright, if a little wonky. The sleeve cuffs and binding are all top-stitched with a sewing machine embroidery stitch (you know, one of those ones you never use…) to make a faux flat-lock stitch, and I love the detail that creates. You can see it better in the following photos. It’s really nice to be learning some new skills with these patterns! This one taught me the half-zip insertion with a binding (which I may have done a little wrong, but it looks great) and the proper order for lining just the hood of a hoodie, which will come in handy since Milo lives in hoods. I loved making this sweatshirt and have plans to make another just like it, with pockets!
Ottobre’s overall design style is fantastic. The styling of each edition has been great and really inspired me to try some different styles. I knew the children’s editions were fantastic just from the things I’ve seen Mim create, but I was also completely satisfied with the women’s edition that I have received and have a sweater from the 5/12 edition on my to-sew list.
Basically, Ottobre is awesome. Be very excited about the chance to win a subscription (and if you don’t win, I’d suggest subscribing!)
Pattern: Ottobre Design Be Careful Out There Hoodie (4/12 children’s edition)
Fabric: The Fabric Fairy Owl Sweatshirt Fleece
Don’t miss Miriam‘s Ottobre Harem Pant Pattern Review today. They are so cute!
To enter the Ottobre Design year subscription giveaway, simply leave a comment below before Friday, January 26th. We will choose TWO winners that evening! Good Luck!
**WINNER: JOY** Thank you all for entering!
52 Comments
I hope I win
great giveaway! thanks for the chance
I love ottobre! I found them 4 years ago looking for free nappy patterns. Thanks for the chance!
Ok ok….this series has convinced me I NEED to sew with knits, so much so that I spent yesterday out shopping for knit fabric, now all I need are these magazines! Thank you
A subscription would be awesome !!
I only have one old issue. A whole year would be amazing!
Found you via “A Little Gray” – been sewing with knits a lot for my baby recently and I very much appreciate the series! I’d love to win the Ottobre contest, thanks for the opportunity!
I’d love to try some of these patterns!
This would be so awesome
I would love love to try these patterns! Love Ottobre!
The hoodie you made for Milo from the Ottobre design is darling! If I was a little boy, I’d want to wear it all the time too. Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh my gosh this is so cute, I love owls
Wow! What an amazing prize. I love European pattern design and this is a fabulous offer. I really, really want to win this.
Oh, I would love to start sewing with these patterns. I have learned so much with this series. Thanks!
Oh, I need this one!! Thank you!
I have absolutely loooved this series (and the effort you have gone to, to put such a series together)!! I have been inspired and enlightened and looked forward to reading each new post! I have loved the tutorials, the ideas and the guests. I too have been a little intimidated by stretch, but I feel now, I can tackle it and meet it head on…and with gusto!! An Ottobre subscription would be the most perfect resource and encouragement to stretch myself!! Thankyou!
This would be great
Wow, I’d love to win this!
What an amazing giveaway! Pick me! Pick me!!
I love this hoodie design! Super cute!
Everything cross here…I love this magazine but it’s out of my budget for the moment.
Would love this! Thanks!
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this!
I’d like to see an issue.
I’ve just started hearing about Ottobre! This would be SOOO much fun to win!
This looks adorable! U always pick the cutest fabrics! (And have the cutest little model
hehehe)
I would love to win a subscription to Ottobre:) I have one of their mag’s and love it!!
I would love to win a subscription! Amazingness!
So adorable, thanks for the chance!
I love this hoodie. I would so love to win this magazine. Thanks for the giveaway.
great hoodie!!! thanks for the chance to win.
I love the fabric. Great giveaway!
I have wanted to try these patterns for a long time! Thanks for the giveaway!
I LOVE Ottobre patterns, a year subscription would be amazing!!!
what a lovely giveaway, thanks!
I would love to try the Ottobre patterns since you and Mim have raved about them. Cute sweatshirt too!
I’m crossing my fingers! I’ve heard really great things about Ottobre (and not just from you).
What an amazing prize! Ottobre always has the best patterns.
That owl hoodie is just too cute and I would love to make one for my son. What a great giveaway!
Thanks for the review, the hoodie looks great! I’d love to win a subscription to Ottobre. Thanks for the chance!
This is so adorable! It’s great to have a chance to win– thanks!
That owl hoodie is ridiculously awesome! Thanks for the giveaway, I’d love to try the Ottobre patterns.
i’ve heard nothing but fabulous things about ottobre!
I would love to win this magazine – the patterns look so awesome and there are heaps for boys!
This is so cute. I would love to win this.
The hoodie looks great. I’ve seen a lot of clothes sewn from Ottobre patterns in blogland. I’d love to try them.
I’ve tried ordering a subscription for their magazine a few times before and every time I do our credit card starts getting fraudulent charges! Needless to say my hubby refuses to try again and I’m so sad I don’t have a sub, so I would love to win one! Thanks for this amazing series, too bad we all can’t have the fancy equipment you have!
I just love Ottobre patterns! Fingers crossed!
super cute hoodie, i love the unique design!
Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for the giveaway!
those are so cute those hoodies i would love to win