The Adventures of Link, pt. 2

So, I realized fairly quickly that I was going about pattern selection all wrong. Yes that Ottobre t-shirt pattern has a neck slit, but otherwise, the shape is inappropriate. My sewing buddy Jill mentioned a different Ottobre pattern from 1/2005... a tunic with a square neckline. It also happens to have a distinctively feminine scalloped hem and ribbon embellishments... but we can get rid of those. In fact, I’ve had my eye on that pattern for years. I love those feminine details. How ironic that the first recipient for that pattern will be my boy.

So off I went, tracing this pattern. I decided to stick with size 134 cm since Ottobre tends to be well fitted and Link’s tunic is oversized. Also, I’m hoping for some long term wear, here. Here are the changes I made:

• I widened the neckline on the pattern by about an inch (so 2” total)
• I omitted the scalloped edge by tracing off a facing stitch line instead of the scallop
• I shortened and flared the sleeve
• I redrafted the facing and added a front slit (now functionally necessary since...)
• I omitted the zipper
• I added long side slits, starting 8” below the armhole and extending to the hem

At this point, I decided I ought to make up a muslin. If it worked out, great. If not, I’d have a better idea of what needed tweaking. You can see me cutting out and pinning up with the re-draft of that facing below:

I have to say, that facing went on like a dream. I cut the slit and sewed close to the edges as in the Ottobre 3/2007 shirt instructions, trimmed all corners and notched the curves and miraculously there were no gaps, no easing to be done and it all lay flat when I turned it right side out. (Can you tell I am amazed? I believe in full disclosure. In real life Frankensteins feel no obligation to work out perfectly on the first iteration.)

Much encouraged, I finished up the construction. I opted to do most of the construction on the conventional sewing machine (as opposed to the serger) to make tidy side slits a breeze. This proved to be an excellent plan. The knit I’m using won’t ravel. (It also won’t degrade in a landfill. I suspect it won’t burn, either... just melt. It’s green only in appearance.) I busted out my brand new coverstitch - a machine that underscores that I really really love babies. (It’s a BabyLock.) I triple covered the facing down at the edges to provide a decorative element. I also cover stitched the slits open and all hems.

I have to say, the tunic worked up sharp and met with unequivocal approval. I will have to add a photo to this entry later, as my son is sleeping with it.

The Adventures of Link, pt. 1

My 4 year old son is obsessed with Link of the Nintendo Zelda series. Yes, I know, that won’t win me any parenting awards. But in my defense I will state that there are worse heroes my son could have.

Regardless of world opinion, my son would like to be able to dress the part so that he can better perform his swashbuckly duties. For those unacquainted with the Zelda universe, this means being outfitted like so:

My son already has the eyes and hair, and I told him he’d get the earring over my dead body. The critical clothing items to be made are the green tunic and the green hat. For these items I picked up some cheap poly green knit at Joann Fabrics to test this out. If it works on the first go round, great. If not, I’ll buy more.The white undershirt can be closely approximated by a mock turtleneck. The off-white leggings can be purchased. Leather strappy things and a scabbard may be cobbled together using belts from the back of the closet or belts and purses from Salvation Army. I may need to make over-shoe slipcovers for the boots, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I’ll see if I need to make that gold peek-a-boo chainmail looking thing at the end.

So let’s talk about that green tunic and take some notes. It hits mid-thigh. It’s slit on the sides to the hip. The sleeves are short (but not cap) and flared. The neckline is square with a slit at the center. In some photos it’s a laced up slit with grommets, but not so in this photo.

I went through my pattern stash. I know I won’t have anything like this, but why invent everything if I already have something to get me going? I got through pretty much my entire Ottobre magazine set (which goes back a few years) when I stumbled upon an out of order Ottobre 3 (summer) 2007. #39 from this issue is a t-shirt with a neckline slit and facing. Now, in typical Ottobre fashion, the t-shirt actually fits (as opposed to the Big 4 pattern company where all bets are off):

To get that loose tunic look, I’m going to have to size up, lengthen and flare both body and and sleeves, and add hem-line slits. I’ll also need to deepen and square-ify the neckline. But this pattern will give me the slit finishing techniques and facings, and a good armscye. My son measures at 119 cm. I decided to trace off a 134cm t-shirt and see where that got me. Just to clarify, this little act was a true labor of love:

You see that? Esther Paris of NMSL fame... I will always think of you fondly for many cogent remarks and kindnesses, but especially for your description of Ottobre Pattern sheets as “Kwik Sew on acid”. Because you are so right. Ottobre is a great deal. For your magazine subscription, 4 times a year you get about 40 patterns... that’s 120 patterns a year. They’re all well drafted and beautifully detailed, and cover every imaginable children’s pattern type. But to get up to 40 pattern sheets in an issue without the issue looking like a telephone book or costing a fortune to produce, they overprint patterns. In other words, they give you about 4 pullout pieces, each printed on both sides, each side containing multiple patterns with all of their pieces... multi-sized. On that photo up there are the pattern pieces for something like 7 different garments. Each one in multiple sizes. I get a headache if I look at it too long.

So anyway, I traced it off and pinned it along the seamlines. I then stuck it on my Link protege:

It is clearly big - the shoulders now drop - but is it big enough? I tried it on over an existing shirt because that is how the tunic will be worn. Of course I think I must lengthen the body and flare it - I just wanted to trace off the pattern as writ before doing any adjustments. But before I proceed I do need to decide if the core - the armscye/shoulder/width - is sufficient.

Opinions are very welcome. Please use the comments.