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Springing Into Fall

Since Fall is right around the corner (and just when we were starting to enjoy this nice summer weather…), we’d like to show you how the Oliver + S spring and summer patterns translate nicely into autumn outfits as well.

Not only can you layer the clothing with long-sleeves and sweaters for cooler weather, but the patterns can also be sewn in heavier fabrics for back-to-school dressing.

Here is the Puppet Show short made up in fine-wale corduroy with printed cotton trim to match the tunic. Worn with tights and boots or Mary Jane shoes, it’s a great autumn outfit—particularly with a soft cardigan worn on top.

The Tea Party Sundress looks terrific layered with a turtleneck or T-shirt and can easily be made up in lightweight denim or fine-wale corduroy. And the Bubble Dress is especially cute peeking out from under a knitted sweater, particularly when the dress is made up in a luxurious Liberty print for special occasions.

Meanwhile, our fall and winter collection will be shipping from New York next month. We’ve created garment samples of the new designs and can’t wait to show them off. Watch for images of the new collection in next month’s newsletter!

Beyond Printed Cottons

Although our patterns are designed especially for quilting cottons, your creativity certainly doesn’t have to stop there in terms of fabric selection. Here are a few of our favorite fabrics for children’s clothing. And once you start looking, I’m sure you’ll find all sorts of other ideas:

• Liberty prints where cotton becomes a luxury fabric.
• Eyelet: think beyond white. I found this mustard-yellow beauty in one of my favorite garment district stores last year and can’t wait to make a Tea Party Sundress with it.
• Linen: of course. Who doesn’t love the look and feel of linen, which just keeps getting softer and more beautiful with each washing? Handkerchief linen is especially fine while also being a very strong cloth, but look for other linens as well. With many weights and patterns available, you’re sure to find something special.
• Vintage tablecloths and other linens: look for the ones with stains or damage so you won’t feel too bad about cutting them up to use the good parts. Embroidery and other details and edges can be carefully positioned when you’re cutting out a pattern to make one-of-a-kind garments that will become cherished heirlooms.
• Men’s shirting cottons: yard-dyed cottons (which means that the threads are dyed before the fabric is woven, and the different colored threads create the pattern in the fabric) make the most wonderful stripes and checks, and shirtings come in vibrant colors with a great hand (meaning the fabric itself feels luxurious because the yarns in the fabric are of very high quality). The color in yarn dyes lasts longer than in a print, so your garment won’t fade as quickly and the colors will last through many washings and wearings. Ask for shirting fabrics at your fabric store or at your local tailor, who may be willing to sell you a yard or two.
• Chambray: which, as it happens, is all the rage in women’s clothing this year. I often use the back side of a lightweight denim in place of chambray, and it has a similar appearance with a little more weight.

Blog Roll

Once again, this month we found some terrific blog posts featuring Oliver + S patterns.

Here are this month's featured postings:

The Cut Cloth: The First of Many. Liberty as lining: too cool!

Confessions of a Craft Addict: More Oliver + S Sewing. Embroidered linen Swingset Tunic with Puppet Show Shorts—what a great idea.

Sasikirana Handmade: Something for Both of Us. And while you’re there be sure to look at Amanda’s finished Day in the Park Backpack Tote which is available here.

Have we missed your post? Please drop us a link so that we can capture your wonderful creations as well. Send it to liesl@oliverands.com.

And as always, don’t forget to check out the Oliver + S Flickr group, where you can always find some amazing finished outfits and lots of inspiration.

In the meantime, we hope you’re having a terrific summer. See you next month!

for more information

email us: information@oliverands.com
website: www.oliverands.com
phone: (866) 231-9639