Why Ottobre Rocks

Every year, the gymnastics teams get a team leotard. Calvin, being a boy, doesn't have to buy one (yay! $35/40 I don't have to spend!). Last year, the team leotards were black/pink/purple, and I waited too long to find a purple shirt, so he wore black shorts and a white t-shirt. This year I started planning as soon as I saw the new leotard (black with a swath of green). I remembered I had quite a bit of leftover fabric from this top, and after bringing a swatch to practice, decided it matched good enough. It's actually a few shades off, but under the gym lights it looks pretty darn close, don't you think? The black cotton/lycra was also in my stash.

Next we had to decide the style. At first, Calvin was absolutely positive that he did NOT want a tank top. I asked for opinions on one of my email lists, and got some links to gymnastics uniforms. After 'selling' the idea of a tank top with side panels, Calvin decided that would be ok, and could I make it tight like an undershirt. I dug out my Ottobre magazines this past weekend, and decided #19 from the 2/2005 issue would be perfect for the top. I made it on Monday afternoon, and it took no time. I traced off the largest size (122), guessing that Calvin is probably a 128. To make the side panel, I laid the front and back patterns together at the side seam, traced off the underarm area and decided on a 3" wide panel. I don't know if you can tell, but I curved the seam a bit at the underarm. I then added 3/8" seam allowances at the new seamlines. I did not bind the neckline/armholes as recommended, and instead just turned them under 3/8" and used my twin needle to stitch them down. Calvin was thrilled with it when he tried it on, and has requested a few more. He likes that the top doesn't fall down into his face when he does a handstand.

How crazy is it that on October 30, Calvin can go outside barefoot for pictures?!? Anyway, we decided that he needed black shorts to match the top. He already has some, but I wanted some made from the same cotton/lycra. Again, Ottobre came to the rescue. Yesterday I browsed through my magazines again, and settled on #35 from the 2/2004 issue (listed as swim trunks). I did not want them as tight as originally designed, so I traced off a size 140, added 1" to the top for a wider casing, and added 3" to the leg length. These went together in NO time at all! Again, Calvin loves them and has requested more.

Hopefully next year the team leotard will be a color that is easy for me to match as well.

Gymnastics Champion!

Calvin had his first of four gymnastics meets tonight. He did great, winning 4 medals in the 8 and under category for Level 3 gymnastics. Here are videos of each of his routines (for the grandparents, you know! ~G~)

First, his floor routine, earning a score of 8.85, and first place:


Second, his beam routine, earning a score of 8.9 (darn it, if only he didn't fall off!):


Third, his vault, earning a score of 9.65, and first place:


Last, his bar routine, earning a score of 9.3, and first place:


He also placed first in the all-around, with a total score of 36.7.

Congratulations Calvin! You are a delight to watch compete, and it's great to see you having lots of fun.

(I made his uniform, and will post on that tomorrow)

Mariachi

Yesterday, Calvin was able to dress up in costume for school, and participate in a parade. He came home for lunch so that he could change afterwards (otherwise, he'd have to bring his costume to school and change in the bathroom. Coming home was easier). Sometime last week he went to a halloween store that has opened up in our neighborhood, with a friend. He came home with this sombrero. Once I saw it, I said it would be perfect for a mariachi costume, especially since we had most everything for it already. He loved the idea, and here he is, complete with 'Zorro' facial hair. :)

He's planning to dress up like this for trick-or-treat on Sunday afternoon, and again on actual Halloween, when we go to a friend's neighborhood that does night trick-or-treat. I tried teaching him some songs, but he keeps forgetting them.

Cross Country Runner

This year Caleb is at the middle school, and there are sports to go out for! He decided he wanted to try cross country, and turns out he really liked it.

The season ended yesterday. Each race is 3K, and Caleb consistently improved. I'm not sure what his final time was yesterday (he came in 20th), but he ran about a 15:40ish last week.

Mostly the weather was nice for all the meets, except for last week, when it rained and was freezing cold. Really cold and wet!

He had a great first year of CC!

I Got A Job

One that pays actual money. :) It's temporary, but it's a great fit for me, my family, and my time.
I'm altering uniforms for a local Suzuki String Academy. These are the advanced student uniforms, and I had 8 of them. All needed hems, one a minor zipper repair, and 4 needed sleeves removed. I got them on Sunday, and was able to return 6 of them yesterday. Last night I met half of the regular students, and thankfully only came home with 3 vests (boys) and 3 or 4 dresses (girls). I go back next week Thursday to meet the rest of the students and mark any uniforms that need adjusting.

This means I'm busy sewing -- but nothing you all would be interested in seeing. I'll throw up some knitting photos next week. Have a great weekend everyone!

Sewing for 2 Henry IV

The Milwaukee Shakespeare production of 2 Henry IV closed yesterday, and pictures are up on the site! This link will take you to the production photos page. Click on 2 Henry IV, and a pop up window will appear with photos. (by the way, I made the blue shirt Prince Hal is wearing in the thumbnail. I did the pants too [altered RTW], but I don't think you can see them). Other things I worked on:

First photo: I did the crest that is on Justice Shallow.
Fourth photo: I did the red skirt and the white petticoat that you can see a peek of on Doll Tearsheet (the skirt was actually done for 1 Henry IV, and this time around I added the petticoat).
Seventh photo: Unfortunately, you cannot see the lovely chiffon centerpiece I added to Lady Percy's dress. It looked nice, though. I also shortened both Lady Percy's and Lady Northumberland's dresses, and cuffed the sleeves on Lady North's dress.

Not pictured are the 5 full and 3 half aprons I made for the "in disguise" scene in Eastcheap.

Next up: Twelfth Night in January!

Centaur

(I know I haven't posted for a while, and I don't really anything to share now. Been busy, but mostly with mundane day-to-day stuff. Here's a post anyway.)

I took a quiz, and turns out, I'm really a Centaur:

You Are a Centaur

In general, you are a very cautious and reserved person. However, you are also warm hearted, and you enjoy helping others in practical ways. You are a great teacher, and you are really good at helping people get their lives in order. You are very intuitive, and you go with your gut. You make good decisions easily.

What Mythological Creature Are You?