{"id":63187,"date":"2017-11-08T08:45:10","date_gmt":"2017-11-08T13:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/?p=63187"},"modified":"2017-11-08T04:46:20","modified_gmt":"2017-11-08T09:46:20","slug":"my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-garden-party-dress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/11\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-garden-party-dress.html","title":{"rendered":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: garden party dress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Please join me in welcoming Elizabeth to the blog today! She is going to share a bit about her favorite Oliver + S pattern and show us the many fantastic versions she has made. Glad to have you here Elizabeth!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Oliver<\/a><\/p>\n

Hi \u2013 I\u2019m Elizabeth, and today I\u2019m here to tell you about my favorite Oliver + S pattern \u2013 the Garden Party Dress<\/a>. I\u2019d always sewn “stuff” \u2013 cushions, some patchwork, a few rag dolls, but it was only after becoming Mum to two little girls (ages 7 and 4), that I really started making clothing.<\/p>\n

Oliver + S was a chance find here in the UK. We live on the beautiful south Wales coast, and on a visit to London we went to the fantastic Liberty of London store to admire the fabric. (The store itself is gorgeous \u2013 well worth a visit.) I noticed a mannequin displaying the most wonderful little girl\u2019s dress made from Liberty Lawn. It turned out to be the Oliver + S Tea Party Sundress<\/a> \u2013 and I immediately bought the pattern, the “Little Things to Sew<\/a>” book, and some Liberty fabric on the spot to recreate it myself at home. And so it began.<\/p>\n

That first go at following the wonderfully explained pattern got me hooked \u2013 and so my “slight obsession” with Oliver + S began. We\u2019re a long way from London, so digital patterns make up my stash \u2013 with each size printed out and carefully stuck together, and filed away for the next version.<\/p>\n

I eagerly awaited each release of another pattern, working my way through Jump Rope<\/a>, Family Reunion<\/a>, Carousel<\/a> and Fairy Tale<\/a> dresses, with a few Swingset Skirts<\/a> and Reversible Bucket Hats<\/a> thrown in. But having counted up, it\u2019s the Garden Party Dress that I keep coming back to!<\/p>\n

When it was first released I loved everything about the Garden Party pattern: beautiful little capped sleeves, the gathering on the front that makes me think of the smocked party dresses I had as a child, the elegant, unfussy neckline and the sheer “little girlness” of it.<\/p>\n

The first versions were made from a crisp blue and white Japanese lawn, with contrasting blue bands, and lined with white lawn. One each for my little girls, and soon became firm favorites \u2013 either dressed up for a birthday party, or worn with battered Converse for running and climbing trees.<\/p>\n

\"Oliver<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Oliver<\/a><\/p>\n

My two always love dressing up \u2013 for parties, or just for everyday wear. The “Everyday Elsa” dress came about after Jemima wore her birthday party dress (a floor length Fairy Tale Dress with tulle overlay and embroidered snowflakes) to play at our village castle \u2013 climbing the battlements of the 1000 year old ruin like a princess \u2013 and then “tumble tossing” down the steep grassy embankments around it. The dress survived, but only just, and so the need for an “everyday fancy dress” came about.<\/p>\n

I started using the Garden Party dress to make “everyday” dress up outfits. Everyday Elsa had appliqued snowflakes, a detachable short train, and a super sparkly trim on the contrast bands. Made from a plain cotton it was soft, wearable, but still made her feel like a princess.<\/p>\n

\"Oliver<\/a><\/p>\n

Everyday Elsa needed an Anna \u2013 a Scandinavian inspired dress with ric rac trim, appliqued felt decorations, and I split the front piece pattern to give a different color to bodice and skirt. A modified Red Riding Hood Cape (from “Little Things to Sew”) completed the Anna look \u2013 with a collar instead of the hood, pom pom trim and a metal clasp, all on corduroy. This one still gets worn three years on, with or without the cape.<\/p>\n

\"Oliver<\/a><\/p>\n

Other Garden Party dresses have been made from polka dots, sunflower fabric, blouse length, and it is such a versatile pattern that it\u2019s my go-to when needing something to adapt or inspire.<\/p>\n

The last year has seen two more additions to the fancy dress collection. Jemima was an angel in her school play, and she requested a homemade costume. The Garden Party pattern made from an old fitted bed sheet (ideal soft white cotton), with lots of gold trim and a tulle sparkly over-skirt was the perfect floor length angel. She was so pleased and proud!<\/p>\n

\"Oliver<\/a><\/p>\n

It was even adapted for World Book Day, with three-year-old Matilda wanting to go as the little girl from “The Paper Dolls” by the marvelous Julie Donaldson. (You may have heard of one of her other books, “The Grufallo.”) The smocked look and simple lines made for a beautifully simple green striped version, which has been worn all summer long!<\/p>\n

\"Oliver<\/a><\/p>\n

I love so many Oliver + S patterns: the Fairy Tale dress for its fabulousness, my relatively new discovery of the Carousel Dress for its pockets and swinging brilliance, and the endless possibilities for a Swing Set Skirt. But you can\u2019t beat the Garden Party Dress for being so easily adaptable, so quick to sew up, and looking just so gorgeous!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We’re happy to have Elizabeth with us today. She’s sharing some makes from her favorite Oliver + S pattern.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7455,"featured_media":63223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20687],"tags":[131,149],"class_list":["post-63187","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-favorite-pattern","tag-garden-party"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/gardenpartyF.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5jZS5-gr9","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":74684,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2020\/06\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-the-girl-on-the-go-dress-top.html","url_meta":{"origin":63187,"position":0},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: the girl on the go dress + top","author":"Masha Richart","date":"June 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Elizabeth has sewn an entire wardrobe of garments from the Girl on the Go pattern for her daughter. She's here to talk about them today, in the newest installment of the My Favorite Pattern series.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/girl-on-the-go-hero.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":59536,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/02\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-elizabeth-from-lizzieville.html","url_meta":{"origin":63187,"position":1},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: elizabeth from lizzieville","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"February 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Elizabeth from lizzieville joins us today to discuss her favorite Oliver + S pattern, the Art Museum Trousers.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/artmuseumF.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":66387,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2018\/08\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-hopscotch-skirt-knit-top-dress.html","url_meta":{"origin":63187,"position":2},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: hopscotch skirt, knit top + dress","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"August 6, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Elizabeth from The College Seamstress is here to tell us why the Oliver + S Hopscotch Skirt is her favorite pattern.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/hopscotchF.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":65462,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2018\/04\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-building-block-dress-2.html","url_meta":{"origin":63187,"position":3},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: building block dress","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"April 10, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019re happy to have Darcy with us today. She\u2019s sharing some makes from her favorite Oliver + S pattern, the Building Block Dress.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/bbdF.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":66290,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2018\/07\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-pinwheel-tunic-slip-dress.html","url_meta":{"origin":63187,"position":4},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: pinwheel tunic + slip dress","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"July 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"We are happy to have Melissa with us today. She\u2019s sharing some makes from her favorite Oliver + S pattern, the Pinwheel Tunic + Slip Dress.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/pinwheelF.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":42587,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2015\/02\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-kelly-from-sewing-seeds.html","url_meta":{"origin":63187,"position":5},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: kelly from sewing seeds","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"February 10, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Kelly is here to talk all about her favorite Oliver + S pattern, the Fairy Tale Dress.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/FairyTaleFavTITLE.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63187","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7455"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63187"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63232,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63187\/revisions\/63232"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}