The fall and winter pattern collection is here!

I’m pleased to introduce the fall Oliver + S line, which is available on-line and shipping now! The designs were initially inspired by these prints from the Yuwa Live Life fabric collection. The colors and patterns from this fabric line, and the resulting styles, evoke, for me, the spirit of the film Chocolat and its color palette. I love the film’s vintage 1950s French style and the rich palette of sea foam green, berry red, and (of course) rich chocolate brown. I hope we captured some of the charm of the film in the collection.

The fall patterns are available in two size ranges: 6m up to 3T or sizes 4 through 8. Here is a quick tour of the five outfits that comprise the collection. For additional information and images of all the styles, visit the website. Enjoy!

Sandbox pants and starfish stencil

These pants are great for boys and girls. The front patch pockets are easy to make and add a little flair to the pull-on pants. The adjustable waistband has elastic in the back and a drawstring in the front for a great fit. The button-through back patch pockets add a little interest to the back. And use our starfish stencil pattern and instructions to customize a purchased T-shirt using freezer paper and fabric paint.

2 + 2 blouse and pleated skirt

This is a great back-to-school style. The A-line blouse features neckband ties and an unusual one-piece gathered front with self facings and an applied patch. The blouse buttons up the back and includes options for long or short sleeves. My own S has been wearing the pleated skirt for months now and gets loads of compliments. The side placket makes it easy to put on, and it closes with a cute button loop. The back of the waistband is elasticized.

Playdate dress

This dress can take on many different looks depending on the fabrics used. The A-line shape has a bib-style yoke with flat piping and can also be embellished with buttons and ruffles at the front. A simple button-loop closure at the back neck makes it easy to get dressed. I like the inverted box pleat at the center front, which is carried through in the pleat at the gathered three-quarter-length sleeve hems. You might not notice the on-seam pockets or separate hem facing right away, but they’re the sort of details that make the dress extra special.

Sunday brunch jacket and a-line skirt

This double-breasted, un-lined jacket has already attracted all sorts of attention. The band collar, gathered empire waist, and cuffed long sleeves had everyone talking at the most recent Quilt Market. You can finish the facing and seam allowances with optional bias trim. The A-line skirt includes front pockets and a back kick pleat with a comfortable elasticized-back waistband.

Bedtime story pajamas

These easy-to-sew kimono-style pajama for boys and girls will be extra cozy in a soft flannel for fall. They’ll also be great next spring in a crisp cotton print. The top features a band collar, on-seam sleeves, and full-front crossover wrap styling with ties at the underarms. The elasticized pull-on pajama pants don’t have a side seam for extra comfort. Use a contrast fabric for the waistband and the binding at the leg openings, or match the trim fabric from the top for a coordinated look.

We hope you’ll love these patterns, and we can’t wait to see what you make with them!

Introduce your customers to Oliver + S with a free sewing pattern

Since we’re nearing the end of summer, we thought a quick and easy sewing project was in order. So we’ve posted a free pattern, the Lazy Day Skirt, to the Oliver + S website. It’s a very simple skirt that doesn’t require a large printed pattern, and it includes an unusual hem treatment using a ribbon.

But our favorite thing about the skirt is the speed with which it sews up, which means that your customers will have plenty of time to enjoy these last few days of summer before the start of fall.

We encourage you to print the Lazy Day Skirt pattern and distribute it as a complementary item in your shop. You can download the two-page file from our website.

If you don’t yet carry Oliver + S, this pattern is a great way to test how your shop can use sewing patterns to increase sales of fabric and notions. Print out copies of the instructions, leave them by the register or hand them out, and watch how people who take them buy fabric for the project. We think you’ll be pleased with the results, and we hope you’ll order the fall patterns when you see the response.

Be sure to visit our selling tips and tools page for more ideas and inspiration.

Trunk show

For our fall trunk show, we’ve selected Denyse Schmidt's County Fair collection by Free Spirit. The patterns and colors are fresh and exciting, with a bit of vintage flavor and a contemporary autumnal color palette.

County Fair has a lovely weight that is very appropriate to fall dressing. It's slightly heavier than a traditional quilting cotton, with a wonderful drape. Although the line is billed as a "home dec" weight, it's not heavy or stiff like you might imagine. Instead, it's perfect for little jackets, skirts, and pants. I'm having trouble keeping my hands off the fabrics and wish I could sew all the samples myself. It's that wonderful.

If you're a wholesale customer who is interested in hosting the trunk show, please drop us a line for more information. We'd love to send it your direction!

Blog Roll

The fun continues! Thank you all for your wonderful comments and feedback on the patterns. Here are some of our favorite blog posts for the month:

Funky & Delightful: Copy Cat. Double gauze fabric by Nani Iro (Kokka fabric) makes a wonderful Bubble Dress.

I Sew Stuff: Tea Party Sundress. Striped bloomers match the dress lining. (And who knew that our patterns can also help you swear less while sewing?!?) By the way, check out that adorable Bubble Dress, and her fall plans for it, as long as you’re visiting.

PuddinPop: I Finished Something! Puppet Show fun.

As always, be sure to check out the Oliver + S Flickr group for more inspiration and ideas.

Have a great month. Happy sewing!

for more information

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