[Liesl Gibson]

You’re too funny. Yes, I think you’ll be ready. That back placket can cause a little confusion, but beyond that I don’t think you’ll have any problems. And we’re here if you run into trouble. But you’re taking the right approach by working your way into the patterns. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the Birthday Party dress once you’ve sewn it!

[ali8780]

Hi–I’m Ali 🙂 I’m 29 and I have been sewing for most of my life, but I’ve only followed directions for the last 15 years or so ;). I have three kids under 7 yrs and I really enjoy sewing for them, especially my daughter and especially since I have found Oliver + S patterns.

When I’m not sewing, I’m knitting or crocheting or enjoying some other hand craft, but very rarely will you find me cooking!

Thanks a million times over for making these adorable and classy designs for our kids!

[Liesl Gibson]

Hi Ali, nice to meet you! I’m thrilled you like the patterns, and it will be great to get to know you a little through the forums. Welcome!

[littlebirdy]

Hello . . . I am Robyn. I’m another uk fan! I have a 3 year old little boy and boy/girl twins who are now 15 months old. Between my first little boy and my twins I started up a business doing portraits and bits and pieces of design work, mostly of children and for children – I initially trained as an illustrator. Obviously this has been put on hold! I have very little time but was starting to feel extremely desperate to do something creative again. Creative frustration had set in! Taking commisions again would be pushing it for a while, so I decided to have a go at sewing, which I hadn’t done for a very, very long time and I’ve never made anything from a pattern. After a search on the internet I came across Oliver and S, and have loved having a really good look around the site. Absolutely beautiful and very inspirational. It was so lovely to receive my first patterns and I’ve made the kimono pyjamas for my little girl and am just doing a second pair. I am so proud of myself! When the babies are asleep I’ve set myself for a happy hour or so of sewing. I am just wondering what to attempt next . . . Maybe in a month or two I’ll attempt a portrait of my twins in their pyjamas!

[Toyota888]

Hi Robyn

I am a new sewer and the PJs were my first pattern too (ever). After those I tried the Sandbox Pants, which I found of a similar level as the PJs and very satisfying. They are unisex so some matchy twin dressing would be possible!

Miranda

[littlebirdy]

Hi Miranda on the other side of the world!

I’ve been thinking about those trousers! I also like the look of trying the 2 + 2 . . .

although that has 2 scary scissors!

Robyn

[Toyota888]

Robyn we must have the same taste – after making two pairs of the Sandbox pants for my boys I made the 2+2 – it was very satisfying – I did the long sleeve with the skirt and then a short sleeve version which is really the cutest on the 9 month old girl. It is definitely more fiddly but if you are patient and careful it is fine – it was the first time I had done gathering, and inserting the sleeve needed care – on the long sleeve I sewed from the sleeve side as opposed to the shirt side and got a tiny pucker in the shirt side as a result (these are the sorts of things I’m sure experienced sewers would avoid). Another slightly challenging bit is attaching the patch without getting gathers at the side where it attaches to the shirt – I just held the fabric really flat while sewing and it was fine. Right now I am doing the 3 scissor Birthday Party Dress – having not sewed a seam in my life 5 months ago!

[littlebirdy]

Right Miranda,

I’ll be popping round for a cup of tea shortly to discuss this in more detail! I’m planning to order some patterns next month and I’d like to discuss an ‘order of attack’ with you! Let me know how the birthday party dress goes,

Robyn x

[Toyota888]

Robyn you will need a very strong cup of tea when you arrive – I think it is a 25 hour flight! Feel free to ask me questions – I am sure to have lots of mistakes to tell you about! I am actually online to read Liesl’s blindstitching tutorial as I am just about to stitch up the hem of the “BPD”, which means I got through the “attach the facings” step that has spawned about 20 entries under that title in this forum (which I preemptively read in fear). It all looks very nice and crisp and flat with the facings all snug in their spots – aaaaaah.

[littlebirdy]

Oooh. I’m very impressed! Are you going to post pictures on Flickr?

I’ve just bought some navy blue needlecord with a tiny pink polka dot to make a lazy days skirt.

I’m wondering whether Liesl could be persuaded to design a few gorgeous things for grown-ups? I’d be happy with an a-line skirt????

Robyn

[eeloh]

Hello,

I’m Liz, I live in Melbourne, Australia, and have become a sewing addict since my daughter was born – partly because I want to make clothes for her and partly because not much in the stores fits me now.

I adore your patterns but because of other projects and a slight fear factor at the beginning, I have a few of your patterns that I’ve bought and haven’t tried them (until tonight). I started with the popover sundress and am in love.

Keep up the wonderful work. I’ll keep buying the patterns and hassling my local fabric stores to stock them.

My blog is at http://www.eeloh.wordpress.com

[cklassen]

Hi,

I’m Catherine and I live in Houston, TX, where the weather is almost always hot. I have 4 older children (1 boy and 3 girls) who provided me with a lot of sewing inspiration over the years. I’ve done a lot of smocking, embroidery and heirloom sewing in very traditional styles. The older children are now in college down to 4th grade and have no interest in wearing hand-mades (silly, because it sure beats t-shirts and shorts).

A few weeks ago I gave birth to a little “change of life” baby girl and, inspired to start sewing again, was delighted to discover this line of patterns. The packaging is charming and the instructions are detailed and easy to read. I bought the birthday party dress pattern and can’t wait to begin, although my baby is still such a peanut that it will be a while before she can wear it.

Now, while my older girls don’t want to wear anything I’ve made, they’re happy to ooh and aah over the things I’m making for new baby. I’m hoping that your patterns will inspire them to start sewing themselves.

[Liesl Gibson]

Catherine, that’s a wonderful story! Congratulations, and keep up posted on what you (and hopefully your older daughters) sew!

[Toyota888]

Hi Robyn – I just got around to putting some photos up on Flikr!

[npultorak]

Hi, my name is Nancy, I live in Itasca, IL. Like Catherine, I’ve been sewing for ever, mainly smocking, heirloom, and machine french sewing. My children are all grown and I love sewing the Oliver + S patterns for my grandchildren. They are classic but up to date.

Catherine, like you, as my children grew they wanted the store bought clothing. Once my oldest needed a dress for a semi-formal event in collage and insisted on purchasing a dress. She was horrified when not one, but two others girls showed up in the same dress!