If it’s September now, it must be about time to release a new season of sewing patterns, right?

We’re now taking and shipping orders for the After-School Shirt +  Pants, the Apple-Picking Dress, and the Sleepover Pajamas sewing patterns.

I have a few more surprises featuring these patterns in store for you here on the blog. So stop back next week for some more fall sewing inspiration.

Here are some photos of the After-School Shirt + Pants made by our testers. I know you like to see lots of versions of the patterns to help you get fabric ideas for your own sewing, so thanks again, testers!

Jeanne made her daughter the shirt using fabric from Modern Workshop.

The red buttons are perfect with this print.

And then Jeanne just kept going (I guess she likes the pattern?) and made another shirt using fabric from Annela Hooey’s popular collection, Sherbet Pips.

She chose a yarn-dyed stripe for the pants.  This is View A from the pattern, with no ruffle, and it would be great for boys as well.

I love how she changed the direction of the stripes at the lower side panel instead of using a second fabric.

She changed the stripe direction for the back pockets, too. Cute, yes?

And here is the entire outfit made by Karen. I love how it looks on the little, little ones. And coordinating the View A ruffles with the shirt makes a nice ensemble. The print is from Denyse Schmidt’s collection for DS Quilts.

So do you know what fabrics you’re going to use yet?

We’ve done a lot of patterns for dresses over the years, but not a lot of pants for girls. I was thinking specifically of the girls when I designed this style, but some of you have correctly pointed out that it can work for the boys as well. So don’t let me stop you. I think you’re right!

The shirt is a pull-on style with asymmetrical buttons at the front and back. This is a loose-fitting silhouette with long sleeves and a little bit of flare in the shaping, just for the fun of it. You could have a lot of fun with the yoke here, using a contrast fabric, adding piping or trim to the yoke seam, or playing with contrast topstitching. And of course you can always play with the buttons themselves and select something unique or exciting for a little added interest. In the first photo below, I chose green buttons to coordinate with the green in this print. In the second photo I chose yellow buttons to highlight the bits of yellow in the print. Both prints are from our Cape Ann collection, which will be in stores this October.

The pants are rather unique and allow for lots of customization. I really can’t wait to see what you do with this pattern because I think you’ll find all sort of ways to play with it. The pattern includes a separate side panel with a lower piece near the hem that is designed to be cut from a second fabric–a contrast or complimentary print, perhaps.

The pants have front and back pockets, a shaped yoke that makes a little “V” in the back (somewhat reminiscent of blue jeans) and an elasticized waistband. Easy to sew, but with lots of great details that I think you’ll enjoy customizing.

Building on the subtle ruffle theme of our fall patterns, View B (which is shown in all the photos in this post) includes the little ruffles on the front pockets and along the side panel at the back. They’re cute and girly without being too frilly or over-the-top. But if you’d rather make them without the ruffles, View A is the version for you.

I’d love to see some piping on these pants, or some color blocking (maybe a different color for the entire side panel?). Like I said, I think you’re going to have a lot of fun with this pattern.

This pattern will be available on our website and at Oliver + S retailers worldwide beginning the first full week of September.

It’s finally time to take the wraps off our new fall + winter pattern collection.

This season, we are releasing three new patterns: two outfits for girls and a unisex pajama set.

So, without further ado, here we go.

The After-School Shirt + Pants pattern creates the perfect after-school outfit for girls. It features a loose-fitting pull-on shirt with long sleeves, a bateau neck, and a cute offset button detail at the front and back yokes. The pull-on elastic-waist pants include a separate side panel which allows for use of a contrast trim near the hem. An alternate view of the pants includes ruffle details at the front pocket opening and at the back.

The Apple-Picking Dress includes a wide button placket, a bow at the neck, bias-bound sleeves, and a dropped waist for a vintage feel. View A has three-quarter length sleeves and a double-layer gathered skirt, while view B is long sleeved with a single-layer skirt. It makes a perfect dress for the transitional fall season.

The Sleepover Pajamas pattern is intended for both boys and girls. The top is inspired by vintage baseball jersey styling and features contrast trim at the outside edge and on the pockets. The cuff at the sleeves can be let down as the child grows. The elastic-waist pull-on pants have no side seam for extra sleeping comfort and include contrast bias trim at the hem that can also be let down as the child grows. The pattern includes an alternate view with ruffles on the top and pants for making a sweet little girls’ version.

The patterns will be available in stores worldwide and on our website during the first full week of September. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the patterns become available. Wholesale customers can place pre-orders now by downloading the form from our Wholesale page.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be publishing more detailed posts here that highlight all the options included in each pattern. Check back frequently to see what we have in store for you this season.

Photographs by our friends at BPD Studios.