I’ve always wanted to do something a little more sporty with the Playdate Dress. Something that can be worn for a playdate on the swings and while tearing around the playground. Something that’s amenable to serious outdoor activity.

For this version, I shortened the dress (by about four or five inches), removed the pockets, and cut it from chambray.

We’ve been pairing the tunic top with a pair of black leggings lately, but it would look equally sporty over a pair of slim-cut pants.

I cut the ruffles on the bias–a technique that’s been used a great deal in ready-wear over the past few years–so the edges will ravel a bit and soften when the tunic is washed. The ruffles lend the top an understated sophistication and femininity, even though it now has a much more casual feel than the dress usually does.

I suppose this is just another example of how a seamstress’s choices dramatically alter the character of garments sewn from the same pattern.

I’m constantly reminded of the impact that personal choices make when I look at the Flickr group and view your creations. Thanks for posting them. I always enjoy seeing how you’ve interpreted Oliver + S designs to make them your own.

I was thinking this weekend about one more benefit of sewing. Because you can choose fabrics, patterns, and colors of your own liking, you can also build a cohesive wardrobe that all works together in many interchangeable ways.

How may outfits do you think you could you put together from this collection of garments:

• 4 skirts
• 1 jacket
• 2 blouses
• 1 dress
• 2 cardigans
• 1 pants

Here’s what we did.

We could have kept going, but you get the picture(s)….

S. and I have found that this concept works really well. She’s gotten loads of wear from her tweed pants and skirt and jacket, the cardigans, and her 2+2 blouses and skirts. Some of the items above are from her own closet, and we added a few samples from the studio to demonstrate that with a sophisticated color palette and a few key fabrics, you can have a lot of fun with a little girl’s wardrobe.

The fall trunk show has left the building. First stop: Quilt Essential Fabrics in Abbotsford, British Columbia.

We showed you the fabrics we selected for the show. Would you like to see how the samples turned out?

I think the fabrics in the 2 + 2 blouse and skirt are so fun together, with all those polka dots in different scales. We used a light-weight quilting cotton for the blouse, since the heavier home dec quality would have been too stiff. But the pleats look terrific in the heavier fabric. I want to wear this one myself!

The playdate dress has the same print as the 2 + 2 skirt, but in a different colorway. And I like how the weight of the fabric helps to maintain a crisp inverted pleat at the front. The patterned piping gives the dress a fun little shot of color and texture, too.

The Sandbox pants look great in corduroy, and the use of a printed fabric at the waistband adds a little interest without overwhelming it.

Flannel Bedtime Story pajamas are cozy for fall, and we used the home dec fabric for the neckband, waistband, and leg trim. Again, I like how just a bit of the busy print doesn’t overwhelm the outfit but gives it a little pop.

And the Sunday Brunch turned out beautifully. I really need to take a photo of the inside of the jacket because our sample maker did such an amazing job with the binding at the seams. It’s as beautiful inside as it is outside, which is really saying something for an un-lined jacket. That little kick pleat at the back skirt looks really nice and crisp in the heavier fabric, too.

I neglected to ask our sample makers whether I can identify them here. Is it ok, everyone? I’m thrilled at what beautiful work they did, and I’m sure they’re pround of it as well.

Yes, it’s up. My goodness, what a nice reception the fall line is getting!

The infamous S and I will be busy filling orders tomorrow while Megan takes a much-deserved break. I’m glad you’re keeping us so busy. Thank you! It’s very rewarding to see such a wonderful response to the patterns already. I can hardly wait to see what you make with them!

I was chatting with Grandma and a friend of hers the other afternoon. We were talking about sewing and children’s clothing (of course), and Grandma’s friend was reminiscing about her childhood.

Back then, every department store had a yard goods department, usually located on the top floor of the building. When I picture the yard goods area in my mind, it’s always elegantly furnished with rich wood fixtures and row upon row of luxurious bolts of fabric, with kindly but stern-looking shopkeepers to wait on you once you’ve made your selections.

Nancy (my Grandma’s friend) told me her aunt was a seamstress, so every fall they made a trip to the department store to select her fall wardrobe. Wouldn’t that be fun? Somehow it seems so refined and exciting. In my imagination, Nancy’s mother and aunt confer about their selections, debating the merits of wool tartans and long-staple cotton shirtings. And since Nancy mentioned that her aunt also sewed all her undergarments, I’m also imagining drapey batiste and French laces for lovely slips and underwear.

That late-summer ritual has been forefront in my mind the past few days because the fall Oliver + S collection has arrived in our studio. We’ll be opening the website for fall sales beginning this Thursday.

Are you dreaming about the possibilities? In addition to all the wonderful cotton prints available at your local quilt shop, what about fine-wale corduroys, lightweight wools, and striped or plaid shirtings? Fall is my favorite season; the colors can be so sophisticated, and the fabric possibilities are endless.

We can’t wait to see what you make with the patterns. We’re doing a little sample sewing ourselves, and we’ll show you our creations very soon. Start your planning!

Meet Oliver.

We needed a boy around here, didn’t we? This fall when the evenings start to cool down, Oliver and his friend, S, will both be sporting easy-to-sew, kimono-inspired pajamas.

During the day, Oliver and S can both wear their favorite Sandbox Pants to the playground, along with freezer-paper-template starfish painted on their t-shirts.

Meanwhile, S …

… has a few daytime options of her own. For playing paper dolls with friends, she might wear her Playdate dress.

If she’s headed off to school, perhaps it’s the 2 Plus 2 pleated skirt with gathered-front tunic blouse.

On weekends, her Sunday Brunch jacket and skirt look great at the neighborhood creperie, where she goes with her parents (with Nutella crepes for dessert!).

No matter what the occasion, we think they’ll both be suitably dressed.

All patterns will be available in August, with an expanded size range from 6 months through 8 years. And for the next two weeks, all website orders for Spring collection patterns will include a fall preview paper doll set, featuring both Oliver + S and their new fall outfits. Enjoy!