Meet us in Houston

If you’re headed to Quilt Market in Houston later this month, be sure to drop by to say hello and see the two new additions to the spring line that we will be previewing. We’ll meet you at booth 953, and we’ll bring the paper dolls!

I’ll also be doing a School House presentation on Friday, October 24 at 11:10 am in room 372B. Come join me and the folks from Brewer for a little show and tell. It will be fun!

We’ve moved

It took less than a year to outgrow our first space, and we’ve recently relocated to a beautiful, spacious, light-filled, corner studio space in Brooklyn. We’re still putting the finishing touches on the decor, but we’ll give you a full tour soon. In the meantime, we’re so happy to be not tripping over each other when we fill your orders now.

Interview with Oliver + S paper doll artist Dan Andreasen

We really enjoy working with artist Dan Andreasen to create each paper doll and outfit for the pattern line, and this month we had the chance to chat with him about his work and inspiration.

Dan has illustrated many well-known books, including two of the American Girl book series, as well as several books that he has written. You can read what Dan had to say in part 1 and part 2 of the interview, where we’ve also posted images of his other work.

Lazy Days Skirt pattern: over 14,000 downloads and still counting

Who could have anticipated the popularity of these simple instructions for an elastic-waist skirt with a quick and easy ribbon hem detail? Our free instructions for sewing this simple skirt have been quite a hit, and we’ve heard from a number of you who are using the instructions for introductory sewing classes. Sewers of all levels love the project because it sews up so quickly and leaves lots of room for creativity. You can see examples of the skirts on our Flickr group.

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.

Quilt Essential Fabrics debuts the Fall trunk show

September was a busy month for Quilt Essential Fabrics, located in the historic downtown Abbotsford, British Columbia. Not only did the shop play host to the Oliver + S fall trunk show but it also played a role in an upcoming made-for-TV movie!

Owner Theresa Bakos and her staff, which includes her daughter and her sister, merchandised the Oliver + S fall trunk show in two locations at their store. They hung part of the trunk show from a clothesline in the shop window, while displaying the majority of the samples in a vignette at the center of the shop. In addition to the display form that travels with the show, Theresa purchased several more mannequins for the store. She used items from the shop to merchandise the displays, and she purchased the same Ikea cabinet used for the Oliver + S trade show booth to use as part of the merchandising as well.

“Our customers found out about the trunk show through our blog, the postcards we mailed out before the show, and the Oliver + S blog. We had visitors from out of state, and even out of the country, come to see the trunk show.” said Theresa. “Seeing the patterns made up as samples always helps us to sell more, and that was certainly the case with this show.”

While the show was up, a made-for-TV Christmas movie, The Mrs. Clause, was being filmed on the block. Theresa and her family and friends were able to view the filming from the sidelines, and the store itself played a part as a backdrop. The movie features Lea Thompson, of Caroline in the City fame. So who knows? Perhaps you’ll catch a peek of that 2 + 2 blouse and skirt in the window of Quilt Essential Fabrics when you sit down to watch a holiday film sometime soon.

This past weekend Quilt Essential Fabrics celebrated its fourth year. Congratulations, Theresa and staff!

Blog Roll

It’s always difficult to pick just a few, but here are some of our favorite fall outfits for the month:

Sunday Brunch with Elephants, from the Purl Bee.

I’m ready for some cold weather and snuggle time with all the cozy Bedtime Story Pajamas being made.

And the spring patterns are continuing to show up in beautiful fabric selections as well:

This modern Tea Party Playsuit would look so cute layered with a long-sleeved shirt underneath.

Try a cardigan over a Puppet Show.

And something tells me that, although layers would look great with this Swingset Tunic, the little girl sporting it will be keeping plenty warm through her own vibrant energy.

You can see many, many more adorable outfits on the Flickr group.

Have a wonderful month.

for more information

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