ruffled halter pattern in stitch

We’re pleased to announce that the Spring, 2010, issue of Stitch features an exclusive, new Oliver + S pattern: the Ruffled Halter. The issue also features a profile piece on Oliver + S written by Anne Merrow, who spent a day in the studio with us while she was in New York last winter.

The Ruffled Halter pattern is very easy to make and includes some unique construction methods. The ruffles are all cut on bias, which gives them a nice drape. The bias also means the bottom edge of the ruffle can be left unfinished so it will soften and fray just a little bit over time without getting all messy. If you make the halter with a stripe or plaid, you can have all sorts of fun with it. We made this sample for the magazine in an orange gingham, but imagine all the interesting things you could do with alternating stripes!

Here are a two more examples, one made in a single fabric and the other made using a different fabric for each ruffle.

I’m quite proud of the construction we worked out for this pattern. It was a puzzle to find an elegant sewing method for the design, but the result is very easy to make and may surprise you at how it’s put together. For example, the top ruffle forms the casing for the tie while simultaneously finishing both the inside and outside of the halter beautifully. It’s a lot of fun to sew, and I hope you’ll try it.

In the United States, Stitch is available at many independent fabric stores and at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Jo-Ann, and Hancock Fabrics. Stitch is also available at select retailers in Australia and the United Kingdom. Single copies can be purchased from the publisher’s website.