{"id":65604,"date":"2018-05-01T08:43:43","date_gmt":"2018-05-01T12:43:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/?p=65604"},"modified":"2018-04-27T05:49:50","modified_gmt":"2018-04-27T09:49:50","slug":"my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-building-block-dress-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2018\/05\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-building-block-dress-3.html","title":{"rendered":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: building block dress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here is the next installment of our favorite pattern series<\/a>. It\u2019s where we ask fans to share a bit about their favorite Oliver + S pattern, telling us why they like it, what they learned from it, and to show off the multiple times they\u2019ve made it. Today we have Rapha\u00eblle. Here she is.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Hi, my name is Rapha\u00eblle and I blog over at Deux Souriceaux<\/a>. The first Oliver + S pattern I ever used was the Music Class Blouse + Skirt<\/a>. I remember how happy and nervous I was about sewing this precious pattern. I remember that I just could not understand how those skirt pattern pieces fit together. I blindly trusted the instructions and it worked! That was the day I was won over. My love of Oliver + S patterns hasn’t wavered since. But I’ve changed. I made that outfit for my daughter’s first day of kindergarten. That little girl is now in fifth grade and I’ve grown a lot more confident in my sewing. I rarely sew a pattern the same way more than once or twice now. I’ll have a vision of what I want to make and modify a pattern until I get exactly what I want. So when the Building Block Dress book<\/a> came out, I pounced on it. A basic dress pattern with drafting and grading I can trust coupled with detailed instructions for a bunch of different modifications? It was love at first sight! I devoured it straight away when I got it and my mind started spinning with all the possibilities.<\/p>\n

My first time around, I used it to make an A-line dress with color blocking. A good, basic A-line shift dress had been on my wishlist for so long! It\u2019s one of my favorite silhouettes. Of course, I had to add a modification not in the book: those in seam pockets at the front. I used easy-to-sew cottons except for that funky fabric. That one is merino wool felt that I made. I underlined it with cotton to be sure it would be comfortable.<\/p>\n

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

The second time, I went even further away. I had a vision for a linen peasant blouse using some trim I’d scavenged from an old dress. I needed the neckline to match that very wobbly crochet lace. I used the Building Block Dress bodice and lengthened, created my square neckline to match the trim and added the flutter sleeves. Would you believe that neckline trim came from a baby dress! It’s amazing to think that it actually fits over her head so well!<\/p>\n

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

Then, little sister needed a dress too, right? I made a sleeveless A-line again and let her pick the back buttons. In front, I used the instructions from Pattern Magic 3<\/a> to get that shirred circle. The Pattern Magic books are perfect for using with the Building Block Dress since the projects are usually done on a basic bodice. (Pattern Magic is done on a women’s bodice so it has darts but I haven’t found it that difficult to adapt to a dartless bodice.)<\/p>\n

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

Last Fall, as a contestant on Project Run & Play, I again wanted to make a shirt and used the Building Block Dress as a starting point. This was my first time incorporating knits into this pattern and it worked beautifully. You can see all the details of my modifications in this post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

Since I got eliminated, I didn’t get a chance to make what I’d planned for little sister but I did make her Christmas dress! This time, I tried to stick to modifications from the book. I used the cap sleeves, scalloped color blocking on the bodice, scalloped facing on the skirt, and an underskirt. I think the scalloped color blocking was the trickiest sewing I’ve ever done! I’m sure the stiffness of my fabrics (velveteen and sateen) didn’t help\u2026.<\/p>\n

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

This winter, I was given the chance to participate in Project Run & Play again. I jumped at the chance but got eliminated before I could share this coat dress. My best work ever, with bound buttonholes, tiny pockets, and embroidery! I moved the opening to the front and extended it to create a double breasted coat and made a V neckline. I made the puff sleeves just as described in the book and they turned out absolutely perfect. I wouldn’t have thought about the necessity of adding a little height to the center top and bottom of the sleeve without the instructions. The skirt is simply the flared version but with a high-low hem. Even the underskirt is from the dress pattern! I used the same flared skirt piece but added a little space at the waist to make pulling it over the hips easier. I added a straight waistband with an elastic in it.<\/p>\n

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

Finally, just for today, I made yet another blouse for my daughter. I lengthened the bodice and gave it just a touch of flare for ease of movement at the hips. I kept the opening at the back but shaped the buttonhole side into waves. I used a facing for the neckline to give a bit of shape to it, just a little curved dip in the center. For the sleeves, I did the long puffed sleeve but let it puff all the way down. Then, I split it down the center and rejoined it at the underarm and added a hem allowance to the new edges. This was my second attempt at creating a split sleeve and I’m so happy it worked just as I’d envisioned! Instead of hemming the sleeve, I added a small cuff with an elastic. I hand tacked the two sides of the sleeve together at the elbow. Otherwise, the sleeve just flopped open and looked like an odd wing.<\/p>\n

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

I have never used a pattern this much and I foresee many more! For one, I see that little sister hasn’t had her fair share of dresses. I know she’d love a dress with fancy back detailing. I’ll have to give that a go….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rapha\u00eblle from Deux Souriceaux is here to tell us why the Oliver + S Building Block Dress is her favorite pattern.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7455,"featured_media":65605,"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":[20736,131],"class_list":["post-65604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-building-block-dress","tag-favorite-pattern"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/myfavbbdressF.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5jZS5-h48","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":63359,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/11\/oliver-s-creations-on-project-run-play.html","url_meta":{"origin":65604,"position":0},"title":"oliver + s creations on project run & play","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"November 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Some fantastic Oliver + S creations were made by the designers of Project Run & Play Season 14. Come and have a look!","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\/11\/runandplayF.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":65604,"position":1},"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":62275,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/08\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-building-block-dress.html","url_meta":{"origin":65604,"position":2},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: building block dress","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"August 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019re happy to have Steph 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\/2017\/08\/newpicdayF.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":61451,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/06\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-roller-skate-dress.html","url_meta":{"origin":65604,"position":3},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: roller skate dress","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"June 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Sarah joins us today to discuss her favorite Oliver + S pattern, the Roller Skate 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\/2017\/05\/MFProllerskateF.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":61546,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/06\/building-block-dress-round-up.html","url_meta":{"origin":65604,"position":4},"title":"building block dress round-up","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"June 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"People have been doing some clever things with the Oliver + S Building Block Dress book. Come and see all of the wonderful inspiration!","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\/06\/BBroundupF.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":59136,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/01\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-post-round-up-2016.html","url_meta":{"origin":65604,"position":5},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern post round-up 2016","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"January 12, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Here is a round-up of all of the \u201cMy Favorite Oliver + S Pattern\u201d series posts that were on the blog during 2016.","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\/01\/mfpF.jpeg?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\/65604","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=65604"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65627,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65604\/revisions\/65627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}