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Jun
26
July’s pattern company technically doesn’t need an introduction, but since we are never at a loss for words….we’d like to give you a little history into our relationship with Oliver and S sewing patterns…
Two years ago, around this time, we headed to our jedi master’s house to talk about sewing, glean some valuable lessons/techniques, and drop off a few items to be appliqued. While there, our attention kept shifting to a lovely garment displayed in her sewing room, Finally….we had to ask: What pattern is THAT?!?! It is too, too cute! As you’ve probably deduced by now, it was an Oliver and S pattern.
Specifically, the swingset top! We were in love!! After showing us some of her Oliver and S patterns, she explained the difficulty level based on a scissor’s graphic on each pattern and kindly broke it to us that this pattern (a three-scissor pattern) would not be an ideal place to begin our sewing with Oliver and S.
But, as stated before, we were in love! Still, we heeded her advice {we don’t call her the jedi master for nothing}….and didn’t sew that pattern…yet. Instead, we began sewing other Oliver and S garments – placing them in the Oliver and S Flickr group as we completed them.
UNflipped Oliver and S Patterns
Bubble Dress | Puppet Show Tunic and Shorts | Birthday Party Dress | Puppet Show Shorts | Swingset Top
We were blogless, and found this as a means of communication with other sewing enthusiasts that shared a common interest: a love for Oliver and S patterns! These ladies were phenomenal – they celebrated our successes, and offered advice when we hit snags along the way.
UNflipped Oliver and S Patterns
Tea Party Dress with Bloomers | Ruffle Halter Top | Family Reunion Dress
Often we read discussions about the pricing of the Oliver and S patterns, but you can’t beat them for the details, illustrations, instructions, and online assistance. Sewing from Oliver and S patterns is like taking a sewing class on your own time, in the privacy of your own home. Although, we haven’t sewn too long, we are always amazed at a new twist Liesl presents in sewing a garment. We believe her patterns could truly teach an “old dog”, new tricks.
Recently, Liesl has done a bit of “flipping” Oliver and S patterns, as well as highlighted other bloggers’ “flips” of her patterns. In the latest Sew Beautiful magazine, she shares her own “flips” of the Badminton Skort, Top, and Dress and the Croquet Dress.
FLIPPED Oliver and S Patterns
Puppet Show Dress | Sunday Brunch Jacket | Playdate Dress {blog post forthcoming}
Since that visit with our jedi master, we’ve sewn many Oliver and S patterns….some flipped, others by the pattern. Our “flips” primarily involved adding details / embellishments or lengthening patterns to make dresses. Now, we can’t claim sewing all the available Oliver and S patterns….yet….like some of our blogging friends, but with each and every pattern completed, we are that much closer to that ‘claim to fame.’
FLIPPED Oliver and S Patterns
Music Class Blouse and Swingset Skirt | Ice Cream Dress | After School Dress
When we decided to have the “Flip this Pattern” series, it was a no-brainer that we would include an Oliver and S pattern in the mix. Deciding which one proved to be the most difficult. In the end, we opted to go with one we’ve yet to sew: The Roller Skate Dress / Tunic.
It is a fairly new pattern {released in the past six months}, and one we felt lended itself to being ‘flipped.’ Oh, and what better excuse for us than to sew-along with you all….getting in on the action from the sidelines?
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If you need a little help in getting those creative juices going, check these versions of the roller skate dress/tunic shared on Oliver and S. Or, you can always visit the “Flip this Pattern” Pinterest Board as you look for inspiration to strike. *Please note: if you would like to pin ‘flippable’ inspiration on this board, please send us an email at francessuzanne2{at}gmail{dot}com to request permission to pin.
And, how about a discount code to grab your own pattern to sew-along with us?? Visit Oliver and S, and purchase a digital OR paper version of the roller skate pattern this week! From now, until Wednesday, July 3, you may enter the discount code “FLIP20″ at the checkout to receive 20% off this pattern. We will be taking advantage of this deal, and have a plan in place for our “flip.”
The sew-along will begin on Wednesday, July 3 and remain open until Thursday, July 18 at 11:00 PM CST.
Ooh…I love this pattern! I used it for my straightgrain post for Isabella. The pic above is what got me. Oliver and S have got it so right don’t they? Their marketing is just so cute!
Well, we hope you’ll link up to the sew-along once it opens! Yes, their marketing is super cute….although we’ve heard several misconceptions from people thinking this was a paper doll pattern! NO WAY!
I can’t wait to see what “flips” the sewing community comes up with this challenge! I don’t think I can pick one go-to O+S pattern…I’ve probably used the 2+2 blouse, Sandbox pants, and Hopscotch top the most.;)
We hope you’ll be flipping with the best of us on this challenge! And, shamefully, ALL THREE of the patterns mentioned, we’ve yet to sew!
An Oliver & S discount code??? I’m in! Haha. I’ve been dying to use one of their patterns, but I have so many in my stash I haven’t been able to justify it. I cannot wait to get this one and start a flip
Thanks Ladies!
Awesome! We hope to FLIP it as well {for fun}…..at some point in the month. We have a plan, but the verdict is out if it will work :).
Oh what fun!! I am excited about this one!
I am with Cindy, I have so many favorites of Oliver + S patterns, I think they are all my favorites really. ; )
Yea! I hope that means you’ll be linking up! So true……it’s hard to pick a favorite.
Oooh I’m joining in with this one ! I love this pattern and it’ll give me an excuse to buy and make for R!
Thanks ladies -as always, yall always make me smile!
Hugs from SC!
Yahoo…..little Miss R will look precious, I’m sure of it! So glad that you’ll be joining us in the fun!
This will be so great!
I’ve used this Oliver+S pattern for my Kids’ Clothes Belgian Style post. can’t wait to see the flip versions!
So, you can just link that creation to the sew along! We are excited to see the variations as well!!
I love Oliver+S!! So far I’ve only sewed the family reunion dress and lots of bucket hats but I have the school days pattern (which I should probably start before winter haha) and the hopscotch waiting to be sewn. I’m also really crushing on the pinwheel tunic and dress. . . .
We love the family reunion dress, but haven’t sewn the school days either. The pinwheel tunic / dress IS darling….there have been so many cute versions of it popping up in the Flickr group!
I have used the Fairy Tale dress 9 times! And this is the 5th time I’ve used the Roller Skate dress.
Ha! You win! But you aren’t alone in your obsession….we read Brittney’s blog (sewingforfour.blogspot.com) about the 9th roller skate dress she had sewn…..
I have made quite a few of the O + S patterns; for ease of construction with maximum wow effect, I’ve yet to come across so reliable patterns. Even the complicated looking ones are really quite simple when you read the well laid out instructions (and the extra tips). So far, the Ice Cream dress is a real favourite because it lends it to many different kinds of fabric, but recently, the Family Reunion which was so easy is going to be a go to for next summer. Thanks for the opportunity to take the plunge with Roller Skate.
We definitely want to experiment more with the ice cream dress in the upcoming years!
Wonderful! I have been planning on getting this pattern for my daughter, so I am heading right over to get the pattern now.
Glad to know the code is being used (didn’t want to be the only ones to take advantage of the good deal!)
My personal favorite is the jump rope dress. It was the 1st Oliver & S pattern and I loved the details and descriptions. They really are so well written. I’ve since made that dress 4 or 5 more times.
Jump rope dress = yet to be sewn for us! We’ve got the pattern AND fabric for it, so hopefully it will be constructed sooner than later….
So excited about the flip… it will be my fifth Roller Skate dress, and (like you) the pattern I’m making is usually my favourite. I do love the Family Reunion dress as well, and have a soft spot for the bubble dress which was my first ever O+S pattern (now sadly long outgrown).
You’re an old pro with this pattern now! The bubble dress is adorable too…..we’ve only done one for the youngest niece, and are anxious to try it out for the big sister as well.