my favorite liesl + co. pattern: everyday skirt

Today we’re happy to welcome Tara to the blog. She’s here for our next installment of the favorite pattern series, where we ask fans to share a bit about their favorite pattern. Here’s Tara.

Hello, my name is Tara Kellermann. I am the mother of four great girls, ages 10 to 17. I love to sew, yet don’t do it as much as I would like. My mom taught me to sew as a child. I have tried to get my girls sewing but none of them have taken much of a fancy to it. They can all use a sewing machine and a needle and thread which is a foundation as they journey ahead.

My favorite Liesl + Co. pattern is usually the one I have most recently sewn. Today it is the Everyday Skirt pattern. I sewed this for my oldest daughter with some fabric she picked out in a fabric shop in southern Baja, California, this past summer. We spent the summer there and so I did not have my sewing things. I did have the internet and was able to show her my patterns from the Oliver + S website and was able to see how much fabric was necessary. This is a great feature since I usually do not have my patterns with me when shopping for fabric.

This pattern is very straightforward and doesn’t take too much time. I didn’t have my daughter around at every step of the way and I would do things a bit differently next time. I would alter the pattern pieces for length before cutting out the fabric. I took 4 1/2inches off the length after I had completed everything but the hem. These are the things I tell myself will be alright, yet I usually regret in the end. The skirt came out fairly generous in the waist which resulted in a lot of fabric in the back. Next time I would size down. I do love the flat laying front waistband – it is very flattering.

One thing I have learned from Liesl and the woman who taught me how to smock (something I have yet to try on an Oliver + S pattern) is to finish the wrong side well. On this skirt, I used orange 1/4 inch bias tape to finish off the internal seams. I really like the way it looks and it does better in the wash. Another great aspect of this pattern is the great pockets! That is the first thing my daughter noticed when she put it on.

I have learned a lot over the years from sewing Liesl’s patterns and from books Little Things to Sew and The Building Block Dress (what a wealth of information not only for sewing patterns, but altering them to fit your wants and style). The Oliver + S pattern I love the most, because I took my time and really did every step as instructed is the School Days Coat. I sewed it in a light tan herringbone wool with a salmon print voile for the lining and toggle buttons. My twelve-year old wore it when she was young for three years and then my youngest for two years until it was misplaced. It only goes up to a size 8 so I will keep the pattern stashed away for another time. Other Oliver + S patterns I have sewn are the Apple Picking Dress, Classic Picnic Shorts, Badminton Skort and the Popover Sundress. I love that most of the patterns go up to a size 12 now.

This is the only time I have sewn the Everyday Skirt and I have not sewn any of the Oliver + S patterns twice. Sewing is like cooking for me; I always want to try a new recipe. I do plan on sewing the Everyday Skirt again since the pattern has sizing for me and two of my daughters. It is very versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on fabric choice. Next time I want to try a contrasting pocket similar to the one by Karyn Valino.