Oliver + S Giveaway

If you've read my blog for any amount of time, 

you know my partiality for Oliver + S patterns.

[Like this, this, this, this, and this]

I anticipate each new season's release like Christmas.

I received two advance copies of the School Photo Dress 

pattern and immediately began sewing 

[having 5 girls comes in handy for such deeds.]

View A of the School Photo Dress went to Azure.

Why do I love Oliver + S patterns so well?

 Oliver + S does something most other commercial patterns don't do quite as well.

They actually teach you how to sew.

The instructions are clear, easy to follow, and written in a friendly voice, like your favorite school teacher explaining something very simple but in a manner that doesn't make you feel inadequate. 

The construction is clever and well-thought out, such as the marsupial-reminiscent front pocket on these dresses.

And you'd think after all my years and years of sewing I wouldn't learn something new from a little girl's dress pattern.

Well.
 I did.
  I learned that when sewing an invisible zipper, you sew each side of the zipper on the seams before sewing the remainder of the seam.  Huh.  Result:  not a pucker.

This fabric is reversible.  I voted for the green side.  

Azure voted for the white side.

She won, because for a 4-year-old, 

she has a a very strong opinion.

I added the piping [not in the pattern] and did the inside of the pocket, as well as her retro accessory all on the green side of the fabric.

Divine was the recipient of view B of the School Photo Dress.

If you'd like to get a little taste of Oliver + S before feasting, check out their blog and try some of their free patterns [and stay updated with the Oliver + S family goings on.]

Then you can buy some for the full effect.

Tomorrow is the release of this Fall line,
 available online or at retailers who carry Oliver + S!!  
And I am giving away the other copy of the School Photo Dress Pattern [size 5-12]!  

You know the drill:  comment, only one, end of month.