Guess what? S is turning 13 today! Can you believe it?
She was the inspiration for this company and the reason I started it. She’s grown up in the business, and the business has grown up along with her.
I thought it might be fun to share a few of my favorite photos of S over the years. (In almost all of them she’s wearing something from Oliver + S.) Many of you have seen her grow up on this blog and in our company photos, so here’s a little nostalgia for all of us to share.
But we’re not only celebrating her big milestone birthday today. We’re also preparing to celebrate another milestone, and you’re invited to the party!
In just a couple of weeks Oliver + S will turn 10 years old. We are busy planning a big two-week party to celebrate a whole decade of Oliver + S! To mark the occasion we’ll have prizes and contests and give-always, as well as a few nostalgic looks back through our history. Our 10th anniversary! It’s hard to believe that a little project I started in our tiny New York apartment has turned into a decade-long adventure for you and for us.
Since I know many of you have a long history and fond memories of Oliver + S, I wanted to invite you to be part of our celebration. We would be thrilled if you would send us your favorite Oliver + S memories or thoughts. Tell us what our company has meant to you and your family (you often say the sweetest things!), and we’ll gather your contributions together for a special blog post. Did you learn to sew with our patterns? Or did you sew something especially memorable? Tell us all about it by emailing your memories to askme@oliverands.com, and we may include your thoughts in a special customer-based blog post the week of the celebration. Send a photo or two of your favorite makes, if you like. We’d love to hear from you and share your memories of this ten-year adventure.
And that’s not all! In a week or two we’re be releasing our very first tween/teen sewing pattern by way of celebrating this big milestone. The pattern has been getting rave reviews from S and her friends as well as from our testers. I’ll tell you all about it shortly.
Aah, I had a hunch tween was coming soon! Congrats on 10 + 13 years!
Yes, I’ve been dropping hints here and there. I hope you’re going to love it!
Happy birthdays! So, so happy your are expanding to tween sizes!!! My heart breaks a little every time I sew a 12. 🙂
The fun thing about designing for tweens is that it’s such a different look from the kid’s and women’s patterns. You have to find the sweet spot in the middle.
Happy Birthday S! And Happy Birthday Oliver + S!
Thanks so much!
Wow! It was so lovely to see all those photos of S. I remember reading your old blog ”disdressed” a long time ago, and about when you started your blog. Congratulations and happy times ahead!
Have you been reading all this time, Asmita! That’s amazing! I was just looking back at Disdressed–good times.
She looks adorable!! A very happy birthday to her! And hearty congratulations to you! I am one of those who learning to sew with Oliver+S.
That’s so great, Rhythm! I’m glad you’re here.
So wonderful!! Congrats!! Love these pictures!!!!!
Thank you, Emily!
So glad to have a tween pattern coming out. There is a big gap in that area. Congratulations on two birthday celebrations. S is lovely.
Thank you!
Happy birthdays! Thank you for sharing the lovely pictures with us. I am excited about the tween pattern because I have two teenagers to sew for. In truth I have been mainly using, and learning from, your Lisette patterns, but am looking forward to sewing one of your designs for my growing children. Cheers!
Glad to hear it, Pamela! Thanks for the kind words.
Happy Birthday, S!
What a lovely daughter, Liesl!
Found you by accident when looking for patterns to sew for my granddaughter, after sewing many years ago for my own daughters. Your blog is so inspirational ,love your weekend links and always look forward to reading them. Your information is thoughtful, timely and so on the mark!
Have learned much from you! You are truly a great addition to the design world and I wish you, your family and your company happiness and success always!
Ronnie
Thank you very much, Ronnie!
Happy 13th to S! What a special birthday – I think we all remember our 13th birthdays 🙂 Congratulations to you too Liesl for reaching your 10th anniversary and growing such a highly valued and respected business. Loved your photos of S! She’s such a lucky girl to have a mom like you making her such lovely clothes over the years and I’m sure she’s developed a fair bit of sewing skill herself already.
Thanks! I was so lucky to have a mom who sewed for me and my sisters, too. I’m glad to pass down the tradition!
Happy Birthday to your darling daughter 🙂
Thank you! She had a great day.
I also learned to sew with O+S, and I’m excited for tween patterns coming! My oldest is sizing out of the 12 this year, but grateful that I still have 4 more girls to keep sewing the small things for!
Thanks, Treen!
Absolutely charming photos – happy birthday S!
I’m wondering about something S is wearing:
second photo up from the bottom, on the left.
A sleeveless dress (?) with button straps. Lovely fabric, btw.
Is this an Oliver + s pattern? Thanks!
Teri, that’s the Seashore Sundress. https://oliverands.com/shop/digital-seashore-sundress-sewing-pattern.html
Although we should clarify that it’s an early draft of the dress, before I changed the top and straps a bit…
Happy birthday, S! I found your patterns when my now 10-year old was a wee toddler. I never cease to be amazed how well the clothes turn out with your instructions and designs. Congrats on these milestones—personal and professional! Looking forward to the tween patterns and many more to come!
Oh, thanks so much! That’s lovely to hear.
Happy birthdays, time goes by in a wink! Both S and o+S have grown up to reflect proudly on you, so flourish on… as a mom of a new teen and one who is just about a tween (13 last August and 10 this June), hurray for the new pattern!
I hope you’ll love it, Reeni! On to new things, right?
Happy birthday! I remember my first Oliver & S sewing back in 2009 (a puppet show set for a friend’s baby girl) and suddenly it all started to make sense. I’ve been honoured to be a part of the blogging team since 2012 when I did something silly enough to get noticed! Congrats on the company milestone and happy birthday to S. Tell Bear from me that he doesn’t look like he’s aged a day!
Happy Birthday S! Teenager!! Also congratulations on your 10 year anniversary. I stumbled upon Oliver & S patterns in 2009 and now I’ve made at least one version of every single pattern (including the free ones) except for the buttoned up/down shirt…need to get cracking on that one. I’ve said this many times before that I believe Oliver & S patterns are the best on the market as they hand hold the maker through each step with gratifying results. Through your website I’ve also met many sewing friends over the years, so in many respects O&S has become family. I’m so thankful you took your sewing talents Liesl and created these terrific patterns and thankful to Todd who is there to make everything run smoothly and mostly to S who came in to this world and was the inspiration. As for my fond memory, well, it was the time we had Flat S visit us and Pirates kidnapped her! LOL!
Happy Birthday and congratulations ! The pictures are so sweet.
Oh fun!!! So many great pics of S. I don’t know where to begin with an appreciation email! I’ve sewn SO MANY OF YOUR PATTERNS. So many! And I know I haven’t even scratched the surface compared to some of my blogger friends. Hm, lemme think about this.
Happy, happy birthday, S! And congratulations, Liesl & Todd!
I wish I had photos of my earliest makes, including the Birthday Party dress for my 3 and 5 year old nieces, actually being worn. I’ll have to look through my files. The girls are now 13, 12, and 11 and have either outgrown your largest size or are on the edge of it. I’m thrilled to see tween designs!