tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74148996666611618962009-07-06T13:29:40.130-04:00The blog for all things Oliver + SLieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-53899226440032026162009-07-06T13:02:00.001-04:002009-07-06T13:06:33.423-04:00

How about we give you a little incentive to sew a fun summer project for yourself?For the next two weeks (through July 17), we will be offering our popular Day in the Park Backpack Tote pattern at half price! And, to sweeten the deal, we'll even cover the shipping and handling costs for this item when you make a purchase.This versatile, convertible bag can be worn as a backpack, shoulder bag, or

Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17147283257382945377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-16830419857604988612009-07-01T09:07:00.001-04:002009-07-01T09:16:18.525-04:00

Today we continue our series of posts highlighting participants in our Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a short discussion with Tiffany James from Seattle, WA. Tiffany took time away from preparing for the impending arrival of her first baby to answer a few of our questions.Tell me a little about yourself and your background. How did you learn to sew?Sewing is something I've just really always

Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17147283257382945377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-30051622767687192282009-06-26T13:48:00.000-04:002009-06-26T13:48:44.150-04:00

As a rule, most quilting fabric collections are comprised of a group of prints that are intended to work together. There is a formula to assembling a collection like this, and most groups work around one central print that holds the collection together. That print is usually larger in scale than the others, has more colors, and sets the tone for the group. As a result, the central print is often

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-22806824858805763132009-06-16T22:45:00.001-04:002009-06-16T22:48:15.795-04:00

A big thanks to April Henry, of April 1930's, for contributing a new tutorial to our tutorial blog.Every so often, we get a question on how to construct the back placket on the Swingset Tunic. This element of the garment uses a unique and unusual construction technique that will be unfamiliar to almost anyone sewing from the pattern for the first time.April's tutorial walks you through these

Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17147283257382945377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-89960763623958253332009-06-10T19:47:00.005-04:002009-06-11T07:08:10.436-04:00

Here's a little trick that will prevent an elastic waistband from turning and getting twisted.Leave a little extra space in the width of the casing, and edgestitch the top edge of the waistband before you feed the elastic through. For some reason, that top row of stitching will prevent the elastic from folding over on itself when the elastic is added.You can use this little trick in any elastic

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-79450247397461047622009-06-08T09:17:00.001-04:002009-06-08T09:27:38.470-04:00

I think this outfit is tremendously successful. I adore it. This 2 + 2 blouse and pleated skirt is understated and tremendously elegant while still wholly appropriate for a child. If you had run across these fabrics at your local quilt shop, would you have thought "children's clothing" when you saw them? Probably not. But didn't this outfit turn out great? I like how Hannah, the seamstress, chose

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-30547501746381655512009-06-03T21:34:00.003-04:002009-06-03T22:57:51.352-04:00

Today we continue our series of posts highlighting participants in our Boutique Sewer Program by sharing a recent exchange with Sandy Stewart of Virginia Beach, VA--ringleader of the all-in-the-family a.j.jacks clothing team.Sandy, can you tell us a little about yourself and the others who sew with you under the a.j.jacks name?In a word, "family." a.j.jacks is a family business, established by my

Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17147283257382945377noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-72089728225308691742009-06-01T09:41:00.001-04:002009-06-01T09:42:10.923-04:00

We're pleased to announce the launch of our newest website feature--the Oliver + S discussion forums. You can access the forums by clicking on the text in the navigation bar at the top of every page.The forums are designed to provide you with a place to ask other customers questions about sewing with Oliver + S patterns and to discuss other topics of general interest. There is no charge to use

Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17147283257382945377noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-30972682686846709852009-05-28T15:19:00.002-04:002009-06-08T10:17:50.415-04:00

I’m a professional designer. But when my daughter walks into a room wearing one of my designs I would much prefer to hear someone say, “What a beautiful child,” than “What a beautiful dress.” That preference sets the whole tone for the Oliver + S design philosophy, and it informs the choices I make when I’m selecting fabrics for our samples or trunk shows. This Sunday Brunch jacket, made by June

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-61533323158765425002009-05-27T08:03:00.000-04:002009-05-27T08:04:36.905-04:00

I'm excited to have been asked to join Heather Ross as a special guest for one of her upcoming weekend sewing getaways.Heather, as you know, in addition to being a talented fabric designer is also the author of the wildly popular Weekend Sewing. What you might not know is that occasionally Heather plays party planner too and puts together actual weekends away where women do nothing but sew. (Well

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-34126937744640431102009-05-26T14:12:00.002-04:002009-05-26T21:54:24.767-04:00

Did you know that 95% of fabric shoppers make their purchases at chain stores while only 5% purchase from independent quilt and fabric shops? Why shouldn't it be the other way around?Oliver + S is sponsoring Project 95--an industry-wide initiative that highlights the value of independent retailers. When you shop at independent quilt and fabric stores, you support small businesses (often in your

Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17147283257382945377noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-45133179596844758292009-05-26T09:09:00.006-04:002009-06-03T17:25:08.430-04:00

The newest Oliver + S trunk show has been booked for the remainder of the summer. If you're in the area, stop by one of our retailers to participate in the activities they will be hosting in conjunction with the show.You can see the trunk show at the following locations:Waechter's Silk Shop Asheville NC, June 2-June 15Seams Like Home Quilt Shoppe, Anchorage AK, June 19-July 3Colonial Quilts,

Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17147283257382945377noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-62035124223018600452009-05-22T06:03:00.004-04:002009-05-22T06:08:42.727-04:00

Every season at Quilt Market, the show's organizers sponsor a series of Schoolhouse presentations for shop owners who are interested in learning more on topics of interest to them. This season, Oliver + S led two Schoolhouse sessions.One of our talks focused on how savvy retailers can increase sales in their shops by making samples of Oliver + S garments. It's no secret in the industry that if a

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-10728373753488794562009-05-21T14:58:00.000-04:002009-05-21T14:58:40.608-04:00

I love to teach, but I haven't had much time in my schedule for teaching during the last year. It's time we fixed that, right? I'm going to be coming out of semi-retirement to teach a special one-day-only class at Purl Patchwork in New York next Saturday, May 30 from 9:00AM-noon.Purl just told me that there are still a few slots left in the class, so if your home base is New York and you've

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-84030207538489578402009-05-20T21:29:00.002-04:002009-05-21T07:26:58.655-04:00

Wow. What a week it's been. We're glad to be back in the studio now, catching up after this season's Quilt Market in Pittsburgh.A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. We really enjoyed speaking with staffers from so many of the shops that carry our patterns and meeting many new friends as well. But some usual attendees were missed. Anna Maria's baby just arrived (congratulations,

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-91124176084812607972009-05-11T23:20:00.002-04:002009-05-11T23:36:02.688-04:00

Wednesday morning we leave for Pittsburgh, where spring International Quilt Market convenes this season.I'd like to tell you this part of the business eventually becomes routine, but preparing for Market is always exciting. I'm especially thrilled about the two Schoolhouse presentations we'll be giving on Thursday afternoon--before Friday's opening of the exhibition hall. We'll be sharing a lot

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-69325002243974862502009-05-03T22:35:00.002-04:002009-05-04T06:45:55.802-04:00

Today we’re introducing a new blog feature. We will regularly be highlighting one of the participants in our Boutique Sewer Program. These talented individuals are creating unique, handcrafted garments from Oliver + S patterns and are selling them through a variety of channels. We’re always interested in talking with our program participants and seeing the interesting things they are making. We

Toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17147283257382945377noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-56772295425061184802009-04-30T21:54:00.018-04:002009-05-01T12:21:12.576-04:00

We're getting ready for summer at home, and I recently made something for S that I thought I would show. Here's her new 2+2 blouse with short sleeves.We debuted this pattern last fall. It appears on the website and on the pattern envelope with long sleeves. Many people don't know this, but some sleeve shapes don't lend themselves nicely to shortening. If you take a long sleeve pattern and shorten

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-72786856974284643832009-04-29T07:20:00.003-04:002009-04-29T07:35:38.642-04:00

We continue to be amazed at the popularity of the Lazy Days Skirt pattern. If you take a look at the Flickr group you'll see a large number of skirts made from this simple, free pattern. I'm sure we'll be seeing many more of these appearing there in coming weeks with the warm weather that is arriving in the northern hemisphere.We made this linen skirt the other day to show you that you can also

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-51668448526720505692009-04-27T11:31:00.004-04:002009-04-29T12:30:39.962-04:00

Every so often I get out of the studio and actually see a bit of the world.Here are a few upcoming appearances that I will be making for oliver + s. If you're in the area for any of them, please stop by to say hello.May 14 (4:45PM-5:15PM), Pittsburgh, PA: International Quilt Market Schoolhouse Presentation, "Capturing New Customers with Oliver + S." Attendance limited to the trade only.May 14 (5:

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-5946591859170691572009-04-20T11:43:00.000-04:002009-04-20T11:43:09.013-04:00

I just finished making this pair of Puppet Show shorts for S. In past summers she has lived in this style, and I suspect she'll be doing the same this year. They're very comfortable with an elastic waistband and fullness that gets gathered into bias binding at the leg opening. But my favorite part is the pockets, which are applied near where the side seam would be. (The shorts don't have a side

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-3109918382764017002009-04-20T11:10:00.000-04:002009-04-20T11:11:49.127-04:00

Oliver + S is Twittering.Stop by our Twitter page to start following updates on what's happening in the studio and around New York.

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-28672912740763896392009-04-14T22:11:00.000-04:002009-04-14T22:13:11.841-04:00

Sew Hip, a new sewing magazine in the UK, commissioned an Oliver + S pattern for its most recent issue. (Yes, that's it on the cover--shown with Martha the chicken). The pattern, called the Popover Sundress, is a simple pull-on dress with bias straps that tie at the shoulder.The pattern is fun to make because it's very easy to sew and gives you the option to add lace, rickrack, or a ruffle to the

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-86737062851648395942009-04-10T12:10:00.004-04:002009-04-11T08:16:56.031-04:00

Are you on Facebook? If so, stop by to check in.Join our Facebook group to leave us comments, discuss your experience sewing from Oliver + S patterns, and keep up to date on recent Oliver + S news and events. This week we're hosting a discussion about what you would like to sew for fall.

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414899666661161896.post-90417756636773775992009-04-06T23:16:00.003-04:002009-04-10T23:26:14.050-04:00

There are many adorable outfits showing up on the Oliver + S Flickr group lately. Here are two recent additions that both use rickrack with terrific results. The Tea Party Sundress pattern includes a Playsuit option, which can be really sweet and practical for small children. Although most of the playsuits I've seen have been for boys, I think it's wonderful for girls as well. And replacing the

Lieslhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01077922825872748873noreply@blogger.com7