Next up in our new Favorite Pattern Series is Rachel from Nest Full of Eggs (you may know her as saganaga in the flickr group). Rachel sews beautiful, detailed, classic clothes for her children and we’re happy to have her here today talking about her favorite Oliver + S pattern.
The School Photo Dress is my favorite Oliver + S pattern because of its simplicity and clean lines. It’s classic, timeless, fully lined, and has a professional finish. My daughter and I are huge fans of pockets so my favorite detail on this dress is the hidden kangaroo pocket.
Learning new sewing skills is what happens when you purchase an Oliver + S sewing pattern.The first time I ever installed an invisible zipper was following the instructions with the School Photo Dress back in January 2012. After that, I pulled out those paper instructions every time I put one in other garments (until I got the PDF for the Fairy Tale Dress later that year and now I can pull it up on my laptop).
So, what is the School Photo Dress? It is described as this: “This lined, above-the-knee-length, A-line dress features a hidden, on-seam, front kangaroo pocket and an invisible back zipper. View A has a stand-away, roll collar and 3/4-length cuffed sleeves. View B includes a ruffle collar and gathered, bias-bound, 3/4-length sleeves.”
What else you will develop when sewing this dress: collar, gathering, kangaroo pockets, lining, and set-in sleeves.
It has a difficulty level: 3 out of 4 scissors and is available from size 6M to 12 in both digital and paper format.
I have sewn the School Photo Dress only one time so far, sewing another one has been on my sewing list for a long time. Almost two years ago I sewed one up by the pattern following view A in a check pattern, brown with pale pink. My girl has long outgrown it and the dress was then donated to charity. I would really like to try making one in view A with view B sleeves. Although the dress is fully lined, for an even more polished inside, try finishing the armhole seams with bias binding.
There are so many lovely creations using this pattern, I gathered a half dozen to share with you today.
perfectly finished back details by Night Knitter
with felt flowers and without kangaroo pocket by A Stitch a Day
a tween look in taffeta by sanderson1010
sleeveless in floral by justmejay
in stripes by siestas & sewing
with pom pom trim by Nicole 1974
You can check out lots more versions of the School Photo Dress in the Oliver + S Flickr Group!
In the comment section please let me know which of all the Oliver + S sewing patterns is your personal favorite design. I’d love to hear.
I love this pattern! But, alas, no kids to sew it for…how hard would it be to grade up to adult size?? Love the kangaroo pockets especially…
I love the picnic blouse. It’s part of my daughter’s Christmas outfit this year. I just need to finish up the skirt. I used it last year too!
I love the hopscotch top/dress. I’ve made about 5 with plans for more! I would like to try more of the patterns designed for knits. Those seem to be the hardest to find!
I love the tween look in taffeta! I want to make a version for my daughter now.
So many favorites, it is hard to choose! It used to be Class Picnic (I’ve made five tops though I haven’t done the shorts yet), but I think Playtime may have taken the lead (I’ve made four of these so far). Art Museum is up there too.
Great post Rachel, thank you for featuring my dress (and my sweet sweet girl)
I have to say Jumprope, by a whisker, and then the Sketchbook. My most utilised O+S pattern.
This pattern is on my wish list. My favorite O&S pattern is the Class Picnic. The top is super easy but does not look “home made” like so many other pullover blouses out there. The shorts are super fun to make and my girls love them.