[Justine J]

Hi! Just found this topic! Should have done this earlier. I’m Justine. Mum to 4 – 2 of each: 9, 7.5, 6 & 2. Live in Sydney, Australia. Newish to sewing (18 months – although grew up with a mum who sews/knits/crochets/embroiders beautifully!) and very new to flickr and this type of forum. ‘Found’ O+S after the Sydney Quilt Fair a couple of months ago via Jane MacDonald/BeBe Bold, who recommended the patterns to me. I’d seen them on online fabric sites before but had never tried one. Luckily for me, I signed up for the O+S newsletters just prior to the ‘Ice Cream Social’ starting and have gone from there! Have numerous patterns now and need to get off the net so I can do some sewing!

[nightknitter]

I fear I am a bit tardy in posting my introduction. My name is Jeanne (pronounced with an invisible i– Jeannie). I have a 5 year old daughter and a soon to be 3 year old son. I work full time in higher ed and live in Boston with my husband and our 3 dogs.

I started sewing Oliver and S patterns when the first collection was released in 2008. My first Oliver and S pattern was the Tea Party Sundress, and it still remains one of my favorite sewing patterns. Since then, I have sewn just about ever Oliver and S pattern printed.

As we all know, Liesl’s directions are so well written. I feel as if I learn something new with every pattern. It has been so nice to see such a wonderful community of sewers surround O&S. Thanks for letting me be a part of it!

[mela]

Hi all! I’m Karmela in Chicago. I’ve been lurking for so long and finally jumped in, here and on Flickr. I am a full-time chef and I LOVE to sew for my 1 year old daughter. My husband is very understanding of my fabric stash and my sewing time. I have been sewing and sewing without documenting, but i’m slowly correcting that. I started with O +S a year ago when my daughter was born. I tend to jump into things without paying attention to the skill required and just work my way through with my fingers crossed. So I started with the Birthday Dress. Thankfully it turned out (with the wonderful instructions, why wouldn’t it?!) It’s so much fun to see her in clothes I have made her. My goal for this year is to make at least one item from each of my stash of O+S patterns(which will be growing as soon as the new patterns come out, so my goal has expanded) since it seems I keep making Puppetshow shorts and Swingset tunics. Slowly but surely, I’m expanding. Not enought hours in the day, that’s all I can say. Oh, and sleep is such a burden, it really gets in the way of all the sewing I want to do!

[nancy]

Hi! I’m Nancy from Millbrae, California. Many of you may have been to Millbrae perhaps without realising it–it’s where you land when you fly into San Francisco International Airport! I’m only 30 minutes south of the gorgeous City by the Bay.

I’m extremely happy to have found this group because I, too, love to sew and I love little kids! As a child in the 50s, my mother+grandmothers taught my sister and me to sew, starting with doll clothes. What I love about those early memories is the encouragement to try anything we wanted. Nothing was too difficult if we went slowly, followed directions, and asked for help when we got stuck! Liesl, your beautifully written pattern directions remind me of that environment!

I spent too many of my adult years NOT sewing… yearning to get back to it… I finally returned to my love in 2006, when I launched Doll Fancier, an online portal to my doll costuming business. This year I felt a tug to change things up a bit. I had seen oliver+s patterns at least a year ago and, as has been said, was so taken with them. Then I discovered the Boutique Sewers program. O boy! Since July, I’ve been collecting patterns, tracing off sizes, adding to my fabrics, planning which to use with what pattern, and starting to sew! I just ordered little size tabs and care labels to add a professional touch to the garments. I plan to pay homage to my love for vintage by including the same hand-sewn touches I have used on my doll clothes (am I allowed to include my website URL?)… I’ll use my vintage buttons too. My supportive hubby and a grand studio in the lower part of the house let my creativity soar!

[elamom]

Hi! I’m Dana from San Francisco. I have one daughter, who is 4. I started sewing a bit after she was born – starting with toys, and then I discovered O+S and basically taught myself to sew using the patterns! They are such a joy to work with, and have really given me confidence to start trying to fiddle with them to achieve different results, or to mix and match elements, etc. Plus I also now have a total, bank-account draining, obsession with fabric.

As a practicing lawyer, I definitely endorse buying your own pattern, but I have to say, in my big ‘ol city of almost 1 million people I know not a single other person who sews! So the risk for me for sharing is pretty darn low.

Nice to meet everyone!

[Nicole]

Hi Dana , I am a huge admirer of your style, and your daughter is gorgeous

[Toyota888]

Hi Dana!

Nice to meet one other lawyer in the world that sews!! Now because this is the net I happen to know that you live with another person than sews 🙂 but I suppose it’s ok if you guys share patterns!!

Miranda

[elamom]

Hi Nicole and Miranda! Another lawyer who sews – whodathunk. Yes, you’re right, I do know one other person in San Francisco who sews, my husband! Not sure that counts though. I’m thinking more of the girl-friend-type person… Thanks for the compliments Nicole!

[arlyna]

HI, Everyone!

Just thought I’d take some time to introduce myself even though I’ve already posted some stuff in the past… I’m Arlyna, living in Shanghai for the past 10 yrs. I’ve got 2 kids – twins who’ll be turning 5 in a few weeks.

I try to sew in the evenings or weekends, on top of the 12-hr work day. Graphic designer by profession.

I’ve had a sewing machine 2 yrs before my kid were born but never used it and only a couple years ago when I saw the Oliver + S Lazy Days skirt, did I finally get started sewing. So now, every time new patterns are launched, it’s my most anticipated event in my calendar.

In Shanghai I used to get clothes made as fabric is cheap and tailor is cheap, too. Problem is you need to find the ‘right’ tailor. There’s been a lot of ups and downs hence I’ve refrained from getting any clothes made, so still have a big stash of fabric which I’ve now started using again for my kids’ clothes. And yes, living in China has made me so obsessed with fabrics because it’s easy; a lot of fabric exported can be found at a lot less cost.

Right now, I’m trying to finish up Bubble Dress and Sketchbook for my kids’ birthday. Sorry for this long intro…

arlyna

[Nicole]

I am so envious Arlyna, I have a fairly healthy stash, but oooh, the cloth you would have available !

I have twins too ! Girls,nearly 11, identicals born @ 35 weeks.

[arlyna]

Oh, forgot to mention that my twins are fraternal – boy and girl. So always on the look out for unisex pattern or boy’s pattern… I always feel guilty if I make dress for my girl and none for my boy… Do you have that feeling that you have to be fair and have 1 for each twin or kid?

[Nicole]

Yes , I do , which keeps me busy as I have five children.

It is so much better now the Twins dress differently, I can make a top and they share it.

[isewstuff]

I’m one who has been a forum “lurker” for awhile but am just getting around to introducing myself. I used to tease a coworker for the amount of time he spent in forums and chat rooms, so this may be offically eating crow?!?

I’m Hollie. I’m married to a systems analyst (just as exciting as it sounds, for sure)and we have 3 children. Two boys: 10 and 7, and a 3 year old girl. I sew mostly at night after everyone is asleep, which doesn’t produce the best workmanship, but it’s the only time I can really focus and be without interruption.

I’ve always loved to sew and create. At age nine, I asked for a sewing machine for my birthday and was told if I could come up with half the price I would get one. I surprised my parents the week before my birthday with approximately $150 and a newspaper ad with the machine I wanted. I’ve been sewing every spare moment ever since.

I found Oliver and S a few years ago and am in love with the designs, instructions and of course the paper dolls. Having a daughter to sew for has been really fun, but having great patterns to work with has been phenomenol! I swear less while sewing since finding them 😉

Keep posting all your creations on Flickr everyone! I’m so inspired by what others sew.

Hollie

[Nicole]

Hi Hollie, I spend a lot of time reading the forums while feeding my baby, I love it, and have learned so much and received fabulous advice.

Do you sew for your boys ?

Nicole

[isewstuff]

Hi Nicole, I try to sew for my boys. Finding fabric suitable for them (where I live) is extremely difficult. I do buy fabric online, but have difficulty with that since I really like to feel and see fabric before I buy it.

I hope no one was offended by my poking fun at forums. I was really just making fun of myself, the forum lurker that I am. It’s so interesting to hear what everyone has to say and what they’ve learned.