weekend links

Hello friends!

I’m putting the finishing touches on our spring patterns and getting ready to photograph the pattern covers, so it’s been fun to see what’s out there in the way of spring fabrics. I often wait until I get back to New York to do a lot of my fabric shopping simply because I know where to get almost anything I need when I’m there (and the selection is truly incredible), but since we’re planning to stay in Madrid for a long time I thought it was about time for me to find sources on this side of the ocean. One of my favorites so far is Atelier Brunette, a very cute store in Paris from which my order just arrived as I was sitting down to write this. Isn’t this embroidered double gauze pretty?

I’m also waiting for a delivery from The Sweet Mercerie in Portugal, which I’ve never had the opportunity to visit. Plus, a big thank you to those of you who made suggestions on the Oliver + S Friends group the other day. With your help I found a great collection from Art Gallery Fabrics for another kids pattern. From the U.S., to make your lives easier. Can’t wait to show you!

Have you found any fabrics that are inspiring you for spring? Tell us about them!

Pinterest Picks

In case you missed it, our new early-spring Lisette patterns are out. This knit dress, B6626, might be a new wardrobe basic, no? Plus, cup sizes!

And I’m a big fan of the blazer, B6641, which is one of my personal wardrobe basics. I wore one over my silk Recital Shirt to the ballet last night, in fact! And yes, cup sizes here, too! I’m so delighted Butterick has been willing to do this with me.

Isn’t this herringbone knit stitch stunning? Especially in that variegated yarn! Also, I can’t stop thinking about this sweater and the gold with the grey, below right.

Here is a fresh take on velvet or velour that could be worn well into spring. And I love the simplicity of the dress on the right as well. You know you can make these with the Building Block Dress book, right?

Wouldn’t it be fun to alter the Extra-Sharp Pencil Skirt so the side panels are shirred like the skirt below, left? It would be really easy to do, too. Also, I’ve got a thing for monochromatic dressing right now (Just a stage? Probably not…), so I adore the burgundy pencil skirt and matching sweater, below right. (But I think it would have looked better if she just tucked it in, right? A half tuck is great when worn with the right pieces…)

weekend reading

• I really, really like a lot of these fashion tips. You too?
• Speaking of fashion tips, I’ve been breaking these fashion rules for ages and didn’t even know they were rules. Did you? (Navy and black? Of course they go together!)
• This quick re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty ballet by NYCBallet is so brilliant and hilarious, especially Maria Kowroski (Carabosse), the villain!
• Ummmm, wow! I think we need to make a field trip. (Thanks to Frances for the link!)
• This is not me. Yet. I’m really on the fence about working from home. Anyone else with me on this?
• Remember when we were talking about clogs? I know these women. Well, not these particular women, but this is a demographic of New York that I know well.
• Those of you/us who up-cycle are in good company! Also, the numbers given in the first paragraph are staggering, no?
• My favorite fashion celebrity right now is Meghan Markle, who has great style. (And for the record, I think her wedding dress fit perfectly, especially considering the fabric itself. But that’s a conversation for another day.) Anyway, I would agree that in politics there is a place for discussion about clothing. After all, it communicates so much!
• My words for 2019 are Joyful and Thankful. And this seems like excellent advice for finding more of both.
• Speaking of joy, we have a new robot vacuum (in an effort to combat my cat allergies) which we have named Baby Shark. (Doo doo doo doo)
• Can you imagine renovating your house/apartment and finding this behind the wall? Amazing!

By the way, have you joined our Oliver + S and Liesl + Co Facebook Groups? And do you follow us on Instagram as @oliverands and @lieslandco? We’re busy posting lots of inspiration and ideas and would love to have you join us if you haven’t already. Plus, it’s a great way to share what you’ve been making.

Ok, have a great weekend! We’ll be back next week with some Toronto shopping for you as well as some sew-along announcements. What are you sewing in the meantime? Me? Photo shoot samples for the spring patterns, of course. Have fun!