Quilt Market Recap

We had fun planning our booth for Quilt Market this fall. With a total of nine patterns now available, we needed more space to display all the outfits, so we showed them on little hooks with custom hangers. Everyone enjoyed examining the details of the garments. It’s those details (the hem facing on our dresses, the yoke of the Playdate Dress) that make our patterns special, and people really responded when they saw them in person.

If you missed Market or haven’t placed your order yet, you can order from the complete line using our order form.

In addition to those nine patterns, we debuted two new spring patterns at the show. These patterns will be available in March, but it’s always fun to give a little sneak peek, isn’t it?

We’ve had such a response to the boys’ patterns that we wanted to add another option to the mix. So the first pattern, the Sailboat Top, Pants and Skirt, is meant for boys and girls. The top has buttons at the shoulders as well as a shirt-tail hem, both with curved topstitching that looks great in a contrasting or coordinating color. This shirt could be sewn from a woven or a knit, and it's incredibly easy and fast to make.

The cropped pants and skirt both have classic sailor button-front features as well as elastic at the back waistband for a comfortable fit. They're also very easy and quick to sew.

The second new pattern is the Birthday Party Dress, which features pleats and a little button tab at the front. The pattern also has an option for a bow at the front of the dress, which offers lots of design opportunity for a contrast fabric or a favorite ribbon.

Both patterns will be available in two size ranges: 6 months through 3T and sizes 4 through 8. Download a pre-order form if you want to reserve copies of the pattern in advance. We’ll ship them to you as soon as they arrive next spring.

In the meantime, don’t forget that the fall patterns make terrific holiday outfits. The Sunday Brunch Jacket and Skirt and the Playdate Dress would both be adorable in holiday prints or seasonal colors. In fact, here’s a wonderful interpretation of the Playdate Dress that might inspire you and your customers.

Traditions, Old or New

Are you familiar with the tradition of giving pajamas to children or grandchildren for Christmas?

Until recently I wasn’t aware that many people do this, and I think it’s a wonderful idea. After all, what could be cozier than handmade pajamas, and children are guaranteed to look cute for gift-opening photos, too. I can imagine a quilt shop display of pajamas in multiple sizes and fabrics; it would be a great way to showcase your favorite new fabrics. The Bedtime Story Pajama pattern is so quick and easy to sew, you could have them finished in no time. Because the pajama pattern is a very simple pattern to sew (it’s rated one of four scissors on our difficulty scale), it’s also a great project for the beginning seamstress.

Back to School(house)

I’ve always been the type of person who would much rather be taking notes than standing in front of the classroom. So I was more than a little surprised at how much I enjoyed doing a Schoolhouse presentation in Houston. It was wonderful to hear your questions and comments about the Oliver + S patterns.

The talk covered the history of the company, why quilt shops should be selling sewing patterns, and some feedback from shop owners about how carrying Oliver + S patterns has increased their sales.

If you missed the presentation, we’ve posted a version on our website. Note that you will need to have a copy of PowerPoint installed on your computer to be able to watch the presentation. Be sure to view the presentation in slide show mode to hear the audio.

Oliver + S Gets Glossy

Have you seen us in print lately? We’re popping up all over the place. Country Living has included us in their holiday issue as their editors’ picks of Top 50 Gifts Under $50. We’ve also gotten coverage in the new Stitch magazine, published by Interweave Press, as well as a full review of the Tea Party pattern in Great Britain’s new Sew Hip magazine. If you’d like to read the reviews, be sure to check out our press page.

Additionally, we ran a half-page advertisement in American Sewing Guild’s Fall newsletter, directing readers to their local fabric store for patterns. There’s plenty more press coverage on the way, so your customers are sure to be asking for Oliver + S patterns. Give a holler if you need to stock up; we’ll get right on it.

Blog Roll

As always, all sorts of wonderful garments have been showing up around the blogosphere and on the Flickr group lately.

• Isn’t the fabric choice for this 2+2 Blouse from Spool groovy?
• It’s great to see people having fun mixing prints for the 2 + 2 Blouse.
• This clever print placement on a Tea Party Sundress looks so professional.
• Don’t you just love the hand stitched detail on this Sunday Brunch Jacket?

Happy stitching, and have a great month!

for more information

email us: information@oliverands.com
website: www.oliverands.com
phone: (866) 231-9639