Hello friends!
I’ve been dreaming about doing this for more than a year now, and in 2018 we’re finally going to bring it all together. We’d like to invite you to be part of it!
We’re calling this new ideas our Advisors Circle. It will be made up of a select group of sewists with a direct line into the Oliver + S and Liesl + Co. design studio and with direct access to me.
As part of our advisors circle you’ll be able contribute your ideas to our pattern development process, and you’ll have the opportunity to sew special projects that will expand your horizons and deepen your skills. You’ll also get an insider’s perspective on our business.
What does that mean? First of all, occasionally I will reach out to Advisors Circle members with ideas for special, custom sewing projects that make use of our patterns. If you sign up to sew one of the project ideas for yourself or a child (depending on the pattern and your interests) you’ll get personal instruction and consulting from me to help you to make the project. In the process you’ll make something personal and unique and you’ll hopefully learn some new skills in the process. In exchange for this personal attention, you’ll agree to photograph your creation and contribute a post to the Oliver + S blog about your work (giving you credit, of course, and the opportunity to also share your work if you have a blog and/or social media channels). This way you’ll learn something new and you’ll share your new knowledge and fun project with our sewing community!
As part of our Advisors Circle, we’ll also occasionally ask you for feedback and opinions about upcoming project and pattern ideas, and you’ll get sneak peeks and insight on what’s coming next, as well as the opportunity to help guide our decisions. I love to bounce ideas of our customers, so I envision this to be like a mini-focus group. I’ll ask you what you want to sew next, which pattern ideas you prefer, what you think about some of my never-ending stream of creative ideas. (Todd gets tired of hearing them…) This is a great opportunity to learn while contributing to the Oliver + S and Liesl + Co. community.
This isn’t a request for pattern testers. This is a new idea and opportunity for people with a desire to expand their sewing knowledge and become an active part of the sewing community.
Interested? Want to learn more about the program? I hope so! You can download more information about the opportunity and how to apply by clicking this link.
We plan to select between six and eight people for the group, so good luck! This is going to be a really fun year!
Sorry, I like your blog and products and frequently recommend them, but this does sound like free pattern testing, or a form thereof. Even focus group members get compensated.
I guess it depends on what sort of value you put on individual attention and private lessons. If that doesn’t hold any interest for you, this isn’t for you. And that’s fine. I think plenty of our readers understand that this can be mutually beneficial for everyone involved.
ETA: I should probably point out here that we do pay our testers. It’s a demanding job, and I’ve always insisted that we pay them–not as much as I’d like, but as much as we can afford. Testing is a lot of work. This Advisors Circle is meant to be a fun project and a way to contribute back to the sewing community while learning something new. Like I said in the post, it’s not testing in any way, shape, or form. I hope that’s clear in my description.
Thank you for your response.
Liesl, I can’t tell you how much I love this idea! What an amazing opportunity to grow as a sewist! Taking the time to share your knowledge in this way is absolutely a reflection on how deeply committed you are to teaching the craft.
Thanks, Diane! I think it’s going to be really fun, too, and I’m glad you understand what we’re trying to do here. xo
This sounds really fun and interesting. I’m at the beginning of my adventure as a sewist for dressmaking. I have taken the plunge last year and I have quickly realised that indie patterns are the way for me not the main stream patterns. And I love a challenge, I love to grow and learn new techniques and sometimes that’s hard without any support. Good luck with your project!
I love this idea! Doesn’t sound anything like pattern testing to me (which I’ve done!).
I am interested. I have been sewing for a long time. I m a quilter but also have a small children’s clothing business. I have used your patterns numerous times as well as other independent pattern companies. I always like a challenge of trying new techniques and expanding my knowledge and artistic side.
Thanks. Ann
Sounds fun! I’d love to be an adviser for you sharing my experience and love of creating great clothes!
I would LOVE to participate in this, if it is not too late. What do I need to do?