tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:30:46 +0000http://www.oliverands.com/blog/index.phtmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)Blogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-9124766551730548893Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:11:00 +00002008-07-22T00:30:46.100-04:00patternssewingpeopleA few months ago, I wrote a post about Natalie Chanin's Alabama Stitch Book on my personal blog. I adore Natalie's work, her book, and her sustainable approach to clothing and design. Following my post, I received a very kind email from Natalie, which started a lengthy series of conversations via email and phone. It's been a pleasure to get to know her, and we've started to collaborate on a few http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/07/alabama-tea-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-5830480035499528051Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:33:00 +00002008-07-15T16:06:04.514-04:00patternspeoplepaperdollsWe got fan mail! http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/07/in-mail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-7608756728345324638Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:12:00 +00002008-07-06T22:23:48.089-04:00peoplesewnYou know what just totally makes my day? To see photos like this on the Oliver + S Flickr group. How thrilled do these little girls look with their new, matching Bubble Dresses? I mean, someone just made two little girls very, very happy. And enhanced the absolute adorability of them, as well. Is that a word, adorability? Anyway, they're really cute. And I'm smiling.http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/07/so-happy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-4935143335894493101Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:52:00 +00002008-06-29T22:56:05.805-04:00Enjoy free shipping on all Oliver + S website orders, now through July 10. Click here for details.http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/06/summer-celebration-free-shipping.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-4190623056005827592Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:01:00 +00002008-06-26T22:27:58.325-04:00peoplefabricsewninspirationLiberty fabrics are all the rage these days, not just among crafters, but also in the fashion industry. All the top magazines seem to be featuring Liberty prints, as you can see from these tearsheets I've collected over the past few months. Of course, sewers have long appreciated these amazing fabrics. The cotton has a lightweight, silky hand, and the prints are beautifully executed and http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/06/love-liberty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-64272962111104060Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:01:00 +00002008-06-14T08:45:52.405-04:00peopledisplayWe were rather excited to learn that our new friends at J. Leutenegger, our exclusive distributor in Australia and New Zealand, decided to reproduce our booth at their quilt market, held last weekend near Sydney. And they did a bang-up job, too, especially considering the short time frame in which they assembled it all. Look, they found the same cabinets, table, and chairs. And even the same http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/06/gday-australia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-8937163552347098144Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:45:00 +00002008-06-12T22:48:52.071-04:00patternssewingdisplayboutiqueBoutique sewers, here's your chance to use those labels! We've lined up two shops here in Manhattan, two sweet little boutiques that want to carry Oliver + S handmade clothing. If you'd like to lay claim to selling your sewn garments in New York City, drop us a line at information@oliverands.com. We're assembling a list of interested craftspeople and will pass along that list to both shop http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/06/as-seen-in-new-york.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-9064556740815676276Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:52:00 +00002008-06-05T10:52:44.728-04:00patternssewingboutiqueDuring the three years that I've written a blog, I've really come to love the crafting community. There are so many wonderfully creative people out there with so many ideas and skills, and they all seem to be the nicest, most friendly and warm people I've ever met. I've made friends all over the world through my blog and have had some terrific conversations with other sewers and crafters about http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/06/boutique-sewer-program-launches-at-last.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-1052300477092729263Sat, 31 May 2008 03:49:00 +00002008-05-31T00:37:08.924-04:00displayI gave you a Before teaser and then never posted the After photos! So sorry. Actually, I've been procrastinating because my photos didn't turn out very well and I was secretly hoping they would miraculously improve if I let them sit on my desktop for a while. I think I confused them with green tomatoes or bananas or something. Oddly, they didn't get any better. But you can still get the idea. http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/05/oh-yes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-830509378503138330Thu, 22 May 2008 02:04:00 +00002008-05-22T06:53:17.599-04:00patternsrunwayinspirationpaperdollsMeet 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 http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/05/fall-preview.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-7165890357046060912Thu, 15 May 2008 15:02:00 +00002008-05-15T11:05:29.149-04:00sewingWe know many of you have been waiting patiently for more information on the Oliver + S boutique sewing program (mentioned in our FAQ), which will be the first of its kind in the industry. Please hold on just a little longer! We are in the midst of finalizing all the details and requirements in order to give our customers the best experience possible. We are very excited about the program and are http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/05/boutique-sewing-program.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-8920931057428517379Thu, 15 May 2008 07:18:00 +00002008-05-15T19:31:20.373-04:00patternsdisplayHere we are in Portland, Oregon, preparing for the spring International Quilt Market, which begins this Friday. Market is an enormous trade show for quilt and fabric stores, where new products like fabrics and patterns are shown and available for wholesale orders. We'll be previewing our fall collection, which will be available for purchase in August. And here is our booth before setup. Lovely http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/05/where-ive-been-for-weeks-now-in-spirit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-6564945309995483975Fri, 09 May 2008 15:11:00 +00002008-05-09T11:11:32.024-04:00fabricsewndisplayA seersucker Tea Party Playsuit with feedsack piping and lining and vintage buttons, hanging from a vintage-inspired rack. A fun way to display the finished garment at a shop or at home, right? The Playsuit has gotten short shrift in our line, but it's included in the pattern for the Tea Party Sundress and is appropriate for boys and girls. Really easy to sew, with optional instructions for http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/05/sort-of-like-this.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-8792901603723179889Thu, 08 May 2008 05:06:00 +00002008-05-08T12:09:43.691-04:00displaySo you've finished sewing an Oliver + S pattern and want to show off your work? Well first of all, post it to the Flickr group! But here's another idea for displaying finished garment (aside from on a child, that is), either at a shop or at home. The Small Object has these adorable hangers for sale in a limited edition, and for just $10! You could display the hangered garment on a quilt rackhttp://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/05/showing-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-4209098829507193083Wed, 07 May 2008 01:02:00 +00002008-05-06T21:50:02.565-04:00patternsThe Puppet Show Tunic has lots of little details that make it different from most children's clothing you see in stores. At first, this pattern had a gathered skirt. But as I pushed the design a bit (nothing like the stress of a deadline to add inspiration to a design, hmmm?), I changed it to a curved seam with two little darts in the skirt. The darts add fullness, making the skirt stand out http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/05/puppet-show-tunic-little-details.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-4134413561314136650Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:20:00 +00002008-04-24T22:07:22.087-04:00patternsThis may very well be my favorite piece in our first collection. I designed these shorts for Tsia (aka "S") last year, and she wore the prototype all summer long. They looked so cute that I knew they had to be included in the line. Initially we called these the "bloomer shorts," but we were afraid the name might be a bit confusing and too long (there are only so many words you can fit http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/04/puppet-show-shorts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-881149181314222535Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:56:00 +00002008-04-26T11:31:50.374-04:00toolsWhat? You mean that you don't take your ironing board outside on nice spring days? I don't usually either, but I've really been tempted with all this lovely weather we're having. Really, I just wanted to show you a few of my favorite sewing tools. Like many sewing teachers, I emphasize good pressing skills almost as much as the actual sewing skills in my classes. You just can't get good http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/04/pressing-things.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-7303851259464772422Thu, 10 Apr 2008 02:09:00 +00002008-04-09T22:58:29.390-04:00sewninspirationThis awesome twosome was sewn by Aimee (of Betsy Ross Patterns fame) for the new Spool shop in Philadelphia, and I love everything about them. Aimee clearly understands the Oliver + S "look." Her choice of colors (neutrals with a shot of brilliant orange), prints (sophisticated and bold but not overpowering), and buttons (cute but not "cutesy") are perfect. And I love her use of the Michael http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/04/fresh-orange.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-7889490431719411695Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:59:00 +00002008-04-09T10:54:08.556-04:00peoplestudioEvery once in a while I meet someone with whom I just click, as though we've known eachother for many years. Megan is one of those people. We met a little over a month ago when Tsia and I dropped by our favorite kids' store after a visit to the pediatrician. Gotta do something fun after getting stuck by a needle, I say. Megan was working at the store (and still does, four days a week), and we http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/04/meet-megan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-7000151432538370885Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:24:00 +00002008-03-27T23:33:56.190-04:00hmmmApparently, unbeknownst to me, Oliver + S has been publishing patterns for a really long time. I mean, look at this: Uncanny, right? The hair, the shoes, the outfit. My Mom clipped this from the newspaper and sent it to me a few weeks ago. You'd think we had modeled our little S doll and her clothes directly from the photo! So I confess; I'm actually 125, and although you may have just http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/03/im-actually-much-older-than-i-look.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-2844180463401604997Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:42:00 +00002008-03-26T20:13:13.347-04:00linksI'm thrilled to share some recent online reviews of our patterns with you: Sew Mama Sew is an web-based fabric shop based in Oregon, with a wonderful selection of sewing patterns and fabrics. Rachael reviewed the Tea Party sundress pattern for their blog. And how cute is her daughter? Molly of Purl Patchwork made an adorable Tea Party sundress for the Purl Bee. I love the mis-matched buttons http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/03/links.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-1203483896264959454Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:39:00 +00002008-03-20T22:16:22.448-04:00paperdollsRemember that paper doll we were handing out at Quilt Market last October? Well, how cute are these? Miniature versions of the paper doll, in postcard form! We're sending these to shops who book our trunk shows as a promotional tool; they can send the postcards to customers or keep them at the counter as a takeaway to announce the show. I haven't tried to cut out the little doll and her http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/03/in-miniature.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-8037281625969466718Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:04:00 +00002008-03-20T22:16:41.141-04:00inspiration When I worked as a designer at Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger we spent loads of time putting together "rigs," or inspiration boards, every season. These were never simple tear sheets pinned to a wall; they were elaborate combinations of artwork, mannequins dressed in vintage and new garments, carefully selected props and furniture, and swatches of fabrics we had developed or selected specially http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/03/esprit-de-tete.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-6884857090867533799Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:31:00 +00002008-03-20T22:16:59.102-04:00runway As much as we love our own illustrated paper doll packaging at Oliver + S, we think it's also nice to see how the actual garments will look when finished. To that end, I've just created a Flickr group where everyone can post photos of garments made using Olvier + S patterns. I love to see how fabric and trim choices can completely change the appearance of a garment, and seeing how other people http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2008/03/sssupermodels-touring-country.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Liesl)