oliver + s: a new book, bubble dress for spring
Mar 7, 2011 
Have I mentioned that I love being an Aunt?
My niece Bailey celebrated her first birthday in January! Her mom, Ashley, baked themed cupcakes each month from birth to the big birthday bash. I, anticipating the momentous occasion, began knitting a cupcake stocking hat. Everything was going great until one evening when I attempted to carry more than humanly possibly from the house to the shed. Like Rachel Ray going from her fridge to her stove, I piled an unreasonable amount of things in my arms to make the 20 foot dash across the deck and through the yard - all while balancing a very large, very full cup of coffee.
I don't know how it happened, but by the time I reached the shed there was coffee everywhere and the cupcake hat was ruined. What a let down!
So, I wanted to make Bailey something special this spring, sans coffee. This lovely bubble dress from Oliver + S was exactly the kind of special I was looking for and knew Bailey would love.
I purchased this fabric a while back for curtains I was sewing for the shed. When the pattern arrived in the mail, however, I knew that I needed to use it for this dress instead. Shortly thereafter I discovered that the fabric was also designed by Oliver + S founder Liesl Gibson! It's from her collection called City Weekend for Moda Fabrics.
In lieu of cutting original patterns, I always trace printed patterns using architectural tracing paper. The reason I do this is because, you never know, Addyson may need a spring dress next year and be a different size. Besides, while Gibson's patterns are easy to read and her instructions generally easy to follow, that isn't always to case. It requires a few extra steps, but keeping the pattern intact for future use is worth it!
I'm pleased with the way the bubble dress turned out! Oliver + S offers the most classic, contemporary children's patterns out there and I hope to make more of their clothes in the future.
Update: As I was sewing Bailey's bubble dress, Oliver + S released this adorable book, Oliver + S Little Things to Sew 20 Classic Accessories and Toys for Children. Great timing! I need another sewing project for the girls...
above: image from Oliver + S.
The pattern I am most looking forward to is the penguin backpack.
above: image from Oliver + S via The Purl Bee.
Although the girls won't be going to school for a few years, that doesn't mean I shouldn't get started, right? This is way cooler than the green Little Mermaid backpack I had in Kindergarten.
Check out the book trailer!
Video: Oliver + S Little Things to Sew, by Liesl Gibson from STC Craft on Vimeo.
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