Back in October, after many requests and much consideration, we decided to do a little test. We re-released our out-of-print Puppet Show pattern as the first Oliver + S digital download. Your response was so positive that we released a few others in the following months. And the positive response continued.

Today we’re releasing our next two digital patterns: the Tea Party Sundress & Playsuit and the Sailboat Top, Skirt & Pants. These early Oliver + S styles were very popular while they were in print, and we’re happy to be able to make them available again in digital form.

Over coming  months, we will be releasing two additional styles each month until all our out-of-print patterns are available again as digital downloads.

This doesn’t mean that we’re giving up on paper. We plan to keep all the styles that use our current size ranges (6M-4 and 5-12) in print for the foreseeable future. And we’ll be releasing our new Spring-Summer 2012 styles as paper-only patterns in April as we always have. But we like giving you a way to access items from our deep back list that we have decided not to reprint.

We hope you enjoy sewing with these styles!

Now through January 20, 2012, you’ll save 25% on all Oliver + S paper patterns purchased from our website, including our most recent styles for this season.

Why not use this as an opportunity to stock up on the Oliver + S patterns you have always wanted but don’t yet have.

To receive your savings, use coupon code Jan2012 at checkout.

Here’s the fine print (since we always get questions): the discount applies to paper patterns only and is not available on past orders. Coupon must be used at checkout for the discount to be applied. The coupon expires at midnight (EST) on Friday, January 20, 2012, so don’t wait until the last minute to place your order!

I’ve been speeding through some sewing recently, testing the spring patterns and making a few things for S and for myself at the same time, and this has started me thinking about strategies for efficient sewing.

My personal sewing time is scarce because of a few projects we’re finishing up, and I need to make the most of it if I’m going to have anything made in time for spring (and a trip to Palm Springs in a week or so!).

A few of you mentioned an interest in this same theme, so here are a few thoughts about the topic.

photo by Laurie Frankel (un-used image from Little Things to Sew)

Ideas for more efficient sewing

1. If you’re able, cut out several projects at once so they’re ready for you when you have time to sew. When we’re not too busy, I sometimes take an afternoon or a few hours on a weekend to cut out several projects in advance. That way I’m ready to go when I finally have time to sew. Make cutting an enjoyable process by putting on some dance music to keep you going, and you could even invite a friend to join you so you can help each other cut out your fabrics and have fun in the process.
2. Gather all your materials before you start. It’s easiest to keep moving on a project if you don’t need to stop to find the right thread, buttons, or elastic. Once I cut out my fabric, I like to assemble all the notions for that project and put everything together in a large Ziploc bag so it’s ready for me when I’m ready to sew. If I’m missing anything I make a list and put it in my wallet so I can remember what I need when I’m at the fabric store. (And if you follow tips 1 and 2 together, you’ll have time to gather the missing items before you start sewing that project!)
3. Set up your sewing area so everything is convenient for you to sew efficiently. This doesn’t mean that you need a large sewing space. At home I sew in a tiny converted closet, so I keep a sleeve board and an iron next to my sewing machine. Rather than getting up to move to the ironing board (which is way over by the kitchen, about as far from my sewing machine as I can get in our apartment), I simply use the sleeve board when I need to press a seam or an edge. It saves lots of time and allows me to stay at the sewing machine. (Sometimes I get a little crazy and sew with the sleeve board on my lap so my sewing space is pretty much directly in front of me and I’m using very little movement to switch from sewing to pressing, but that’s a little obsessive and usually only happens if I’m in a serious hurry, I admit it.)
4. If you don’t have a dedicated sewing space, find a place to store your sewing materials together where you can easily get them out and quickly put them away again when you’re done. For a long time I sewed at the dining room table, and I kept my sewing machine and supplies in a large cabinet right next to the table so I could set up and take down my pop-up sewing studio in a matter of minutes.
5. Sometimes when you’re familiar with the steps involved in making a project you can set yourself up to sew multiple steps at the same time. For example, I often get everything ready to assemble the collar, make the pockets and sew the belt for a pattern all in one go. Then I move away from the sewing machine to press the seam allowances and set up my next little sewing binge. Note, however, that this usually works best if you’re already familiar with the sewing steps in a pattern, so be sure you’ve read through the pattern in advance and are familiar with the steps involved. If you’re a less experienced sewist you might want to wait until you’ve sewn the pattern once or twice before you attempt this. You need to be able to think methodically about the construction method to make this step work, so be careful you don’t overwhelm yourself and get confused.
6. I’ve said many times before, but one trick that works best for me is to set up the next seam before I quit sewing for the day. I don’t sew that seam, but it’s waiting for me the next time I sit down. This means that it’s easy for me to pick up again where I left off. I don’t need to think about what step comes next because it’s already waiting for me. Doing this helps to refresh my memory about what comes next, and it also helps me to jump back into sewing without reservations. I often sew just a seam or two a night, but I’m still making progress even with that very limited amount of sewing time.

Do you have any additional tips to share? I’d love to hear what strategies work well for you!

I hope you enjoyed the holidays and are happily and safely returned if you spent time on the road or in a plane. I had the pleasure of taking a few day off to spend with S, much of our time spent weaving potholders, drawing, tying friendship bracelets, painting, and sewing some very simple little drawstring bags that she was so excited to make and use. We also organized some closets and sorted a box of her artwork and schoolwork from 2011 so we could see how she’s developed and reminisce about the year.

I’ve noticed that many of you are taking stock as well. A few people have posted photo mosaics of their sewing projects in 2011, and many of you are very prolific sewists! Look at all this wonderful sewing you’ve been doing! (You can click the photo to go directly to each person’s Flickr photo or blog.)

Have you taken a look back at your sewing in 2011, and are you starting to plan your sewing for the new year? Did you learn or accomplish something you’re especially proud of, and do you have goals for 2012? I’d love to hear from you.