Collection Complete!

My collection of Oliver + S patterns is complete!

I can also say that as of today I have made at least one view or one item from all of the 37 patterns.  For example; I have made View A of the Fairy Tale Dress but not View B. I have made many Class Picnic tops, but not the shorts.
In addition to the purchased patterns, I have also made four of the free downloads: sundress, halter, skirt and hat.

I began collecting these patterns in 2009 and with the exception of three patterns that are only available in PDF format, all of my patterns are the original paper patterns and most are in both size categories.

Given my sewing time will be limited over the next month or so, during the past few days I have obsessed with getting through all the patterns. It's taken me almost 4 years to get to this point!

Here goes:

This pattern is called Forest Path Cape and is was a PDF download.  The fabric is a wool blend and for the lining I used Kasha which is a flannel backed satin.
Just before setting up the machine to make buttonholes I thought to myself that the cape might look good with bound buttonholes.
As soon as I can get to it, I will unpick the front section and make bound buttonholes. For this photo some grey buttons were pinned in place.
Size 5.

Next up is Sleepover Pajamas. They were quick to make. Next time around I will use a knit cuff for the pant leg. Fabric is flannel.  Size 2.

The third item I sewed this weekend was the Pinwheel Dress.  I had eyelet hanging around from an unfinished project from last summer and it called me to use it up. So I did.
I totally cheated and used store bought bias binding. I'm not happy with the way I sewed in place and should have taken more time.  I can still unpick it if someone notices.
The dress felt like it needed a little corsage so I found a shabby chic looking rose in my stash and pinned in place.
Size 5.

The fourth dress I sewed this weekend turned out to be somewhat fortuitous.
I ordered the Roller Skate Dress pattern however when it arrived during the week the pattern sheet wasn't the same size as indicated on the envelop. Ooops. A packaging error that can easily occur.
So I sent a note to O+S and they dispatched a new pattern right away. However it meant I would have to wait another week before completing the collection sewing-wise. At first I figured I could wait. Then by late this afternoon I was busting.  Must. Make. This. Dress. No. Matter. The. Size.
It took no time at all to sew together.  The fabric I used was Oxford cloth originally designed for a shirt. Not any more.
Size 4.

I truly enjoy making patterns from Oliver + S.  They are patterns that actually turn out like the illustrations and come with complete detailed, informative instructions. The styles are trendy and have interesting details. As far as I am concerned, O+S has raised the bar for sewing patterns and far outshine the 'Big 4'. In addition they have an excellent website for sewing support and community.

My next goal is to go back through my O+S pattern stash and make the Views I haven't made as well as the few items like the class picnic shorts, sundress bloomers, etc.

Phew!
What a busy long weekend juggling family, dinners, sewing, maple syrup making ..... time for a glass of wine!

Field Trip Cargo Pants

I really enjoyed making these pants.  I thought for sure they would be intricate, but no. Once again, easy peasy.
This isn't the most flattering photo of these pants. If the moon and stars line up, I'll try to get a photo of Adam wearing them.

I debated at length the colour of topstitching thread. Initially, I wanted to use orange. However I had some heavy duty Gutermann yellow and that ended the debate with myself.

I didn't use a twin needle, just a single size 16 jeans needle and that gave me better control when going around corners on the pockets.

The pocket flap lining is yellow Kona cotton and I just love the design of the pockets. I'll fill the pockets up with some little treasures.

The instructions for the front pocket it said that after a crease was made on the pocket piece, to topstitch the crease. Did that mean along the crease or pinch the crease and stitch through two layers.
I wasn't sure.
So I pinched the crease and stitched through the two layers. It looks okay to me.

I think I'll make the Explorer Vest from Little Things To Sew to go with these pants. I have just enough of the main fabric leftover. There's a sale at the "F" store starting Thursday so maybe I can find some bright yellow boyish fabric for the lining on the vest.

These pants are Size 2.
I like everything about this pattern and plan to make more. That will give me a good excuse to buy fabric suitable for these pants.... the kind of fabric I don't have much of in my stash.

Bubble Dress...again

The other day I read a comment from, I think it was Cindy, who mentioned that the Bubble Dress pattern only went to size 5 and she was going make one before her girls got any bigger.
(Edit update: Cindy say's it might have been Mel that made the comment.)

Well that prompted me to get the pattern out and have a look at it.  I didn't realize it stopped at size 5 .... and it's my all time favourite pattern by Oliver + S!

I traced out a size 4 and whipped it up in a little over an hour from cut to finish but not including the buttons and handwork. The piping was leftover from the Firefly Jacket I made in the week, also I omitted the elastic that makes the bubble part so no wonder it went together quickly.
Therefore without the elastic it's a deflated bubble dress.

For the hem, I cut the lining 1 1/2" (4cm) shorter than the main fabric skirt pieces, sewed them together at the bottom and then basted the top (waist) edge together creating a narrow folded up hem.

The only problem I have with this pattern is I cannot figure out the illustration on Page 3, 3rd column, step 2. I've made this dress many, many times but the illustration completely baffles me. I know how it's supposed to look at the back but I just can't figure it out using the drawing.

I think the Firefly Jacket I made the other day will look good with this dress.

If my daughter doesn't like the Firefly Jacket (she told me she didn't like it when I showed her the pattern on-line months ago) I am going to suggest folding the front down like a blazer lapel and put 2 buttonholes and buttons for closures.

Between now and next year I plan to make many Bubble Dresses and try and get a little more creative with them.
In many respects, I think the Geranium dress looks an awful lot like the Bubble dress, so I could copy the neckline using the template for the O+S Ice Cream dress neckline. And instead of gathers, I could do folds or pleats. Oh, and put in pockets too.

Meanwhile I have some patterns to trace out and lots more sewing to do. For some reason my stash seems to be growing larger and not getting busted.

Firefly Jacket & Hula Hoop Skirt

These two patterns from Oliver + S are in pdf format only.  They were very easy to print and tape together so I could trace out the size I wanted.

The skirt has only 3 pattern pieces: two for the skirt and 1 for the waist.  The skirt is completely reversible and putting the pattern together was quick, easy and painless.  It's size 4.

The jacket pattern was also easy to print out and then tape the pages together. Except I ran out of scotch tape and wasn't about to drive a half hour in to town to get more. So I used double sided carpet tape. That was mistake because when I folded the finished product to put it away, it stuck to itself making it impossible not to reopen without ripping the paper. Argh.

The jacket was easy to put together; it's 2 pattern pieces so all was redeemed.   I used piping around the edge but in hindsight I should have used thicker cord.  Maybe bigger buttons too.

Jacket is size 5.

Instead of ribbon as suggested in the pattern for the back fold, I used a scrap of fabric used in the skirt.

The jacket is reversible which is helpful if the wearer drops ice cream down the front.

The vent in the back is reversed. In hindsight, I should have put something decorative on that section too.

Since the skirt and jacket are both reversible I flipped them both to see what it would look like with the fabrics I chose.
Meh.

I prefer this side out.

Now I'm down to 2 remaining O+S patterns in my stash to make; Sleepover P.J.'s and Field Trip pants and shirt.
After that I have to purchase the 2 new patterns: Roller Skate and Pinwheel dresses and Forest Path Cape and then I have made all 37 the Oliver + S patterns!

Notes to self: use thicker cording in piping, larger buttons, perhaps leave off second flap on back of skirt.

Croquet Dress

Another Oliver + S pattern done!
Just 4 more to go that I own, and 3 more to purchase and I've done them all.

This one is called Croquet Dress.  Despite reading through the instructions I just wasn't sure how this dress was going to come together.

The instructions were clear, it's just that I haven't constructed any dress like this before.  In the end, it was easy and went together quickly.

There's one thing that's certain this time of year ......  a white background for a photo.

Size 3.
Linen.

Here's hoping it fits.