A couple of weeks ago, I was sipping my coffee and going through my daily routine, when I nearly fell out of my chair. There, in my inbox, was an email from Liesl of the incomparable Oliver + S, wondering if I would be interested in trying out some of her new patterns for women. I didn’t even finish reading and responded “Yes!!!!”
I chose the Weekend Getaway pattern to try out first because I absolutely loved all the details: the placket, the back pleat, the 3/4 cuffed sleeves. And because I am as ever a die-hard one-trick pony, I made it in black Essex yarn-dyed linen. I tried to select a brighter, fun color, I did. But I am who I am, and I have a never-ending stash of dark linen, so blackish-grey it was.
This is rated as a one-scissor project, which is the easiest possible level. I agree – it’s so quick to sew and I love that there are no closures to deal with. The dress slips over your head and you’re ready to go. The instructions are, as you would expect from Liesl, so very clear and helpful and I was impressed with the clever ways the pockets and facings were sewn to create a clean/streamlined finish.
Despite the loose fit, I think this is a flattering cut for a variety of body types. I went with size 8 based on my measurements and although the instructions recommend an FBA for C-cups and larger, I eyeballed the pattern pieces and thought I could get away without the FBA. I was right, though I did use a 3/8 inch seam allowance instead of the 1/2 inch as specified to give myself some extra wiggle room. I think I could have kept the 1/2 inch seam allowance without any problems now that I’ve worn the dress for a day. Above I tucked in the pocket flaps to see how it would look – I’m liking it.
It’s always a good idea not to sew late into the night (it’s also a good idea to iron a linen dress before a photoshoot). It was only while I was editing these photos that I realized I managed to sew the back piece incorrectly so that instead of an inverted pleat, it looks like a box pleat. It’s still a great dress and I love it. Now I want to stitch up a color-blocked version like the one on the oliver+s blog!
Having spent all that time taping together the digital pattern, I felt that I should also give the blouse version a go. I’ve had this gorgeously drapey cotton (lawn?) for what feels like centuries. It’s a bit of a departure from my usual monochromatic color scheme and the watercolor effect of the print is pretty:
I think it’s easy to skew hospital scrubs/gown-esque with this shape and print combo on my body type, so I gave the styling some thought (like five minutes).
I lowered the neckline since I knew that I would always have to wear a cami underneath the sheer fabric and channeled an on-trend girl with distressed jeans. I’ve noticed that there are a bunch of tutorials online on DIY distressing…this is authentic distressing after eight years of wearing these super awesome jeans non-stop. I actually don’t wear these out in public anymore because I’m afraid I will explode from the jeans and be forced to walk around in my underwear. Patching it is on my to-do list.
I got the pleat right this time, and this shirt was so fast to sew. Literally an hour and a half. I even finished the sides with french seams! It helped that I didn’t add the pockets, but even so, it wouldn’t have taken too much longer.
Next time, I plan on lengthening the blouse a bit more – I like my blouses to be on the long side, and this felt a touch too short for me. All in all, I’m happy with the way this one turned out. It’s a breezy, casual top that would get a lot of wear in the spring.
I did receive these patterns for free, but all opinions are absolutely my own. I already have plans to make the Everyday skirt and Late Lunch tunic, and you’ll be seeing those in the coming weeks. That Liesl, she’s so so so good.
Love, love both of these versions! Now I’ll definitely have to get the sewing pattern!
Thanks Fiona! It’s such a great pattern to whip up – and I really mean “whip up” because it comes together very quickly (once you get all the pattern pieces taped up…that took forever).
They both turned out wonderful. Thanks for sharing/showing the pockets tucked in, I didn’t know that was an option & I like the look of it.
I actually prefer it with the pocket flaps tucked in. If I make it again, I think I may either add buttons are remove that part altogether. I love both my dress and blouse!
I am in LOVE with the dress! And so funny, before I read your post I read Kristin´s and thought “Hmmm, I wonder what Sanae´s version would look like if she were to make that pattern?” (You have become my style guru, hehe.) And there you are! You totally convinced me to buy the pattern! And please don´t ever stop sewing in dark linen.
Haha! I’m still surprised that Liesl contacted me and can’t believe my luck! Ah, dark linen…let me count the ways I love thee…
I agree with the blouse length comment, I like my shirts/blouses/basically any top to be longer rather than shorter. Both look extremely comfortable & mb others call it boring but I’m a black&grey woman as well. Colors mean matching and a bunch of stuff I tend not to have time for. lol These both look very nice on you, lovely job.
Mae
Thanks, Mae! Normally I add a few extra inches to the bodice because of my insanely long torso, but I thought it might be OK with this one until I tried it on. Oh well, I still think it’s a fun blouse!
Super cute!! This pattern looks fantastic on you, Sanae. I’m especially loving the dress version in the linen.
The dress is SO comfy, I love it! I can see you in this, Robin!
I love O&S and am excited that she’s branching out into adult patterns (beyond the Simplicity line). Thanks for sharing your versions!
The instructions were superb, just as you would expect, June! I was super excited to find out that she’s designing patterns under her own label too. I’m curious to see how the cape looks — are you still thinking of sewing it up?
Yay, we’re weekend getaway twinsies today! Love both versions you made!
Yay! I love your chambray top and goodness gracious, your stitching is incredible!
This is so funny because just yesterday I had seen this dress (when I sent you the e-mail back about the kimono sleeve) and had been thinking about buying it so I could sew it up in a couple different fabrics I have. I might have to scrounge my pennies and do it now. It looks great on you!
Thanks so much, Kristi! A great pattern, indeed. I really like how versatile it is too – you can play around with it a lot. I also like the way it looks with the neck flap thingies all the way up for a more formal look.
I especially love the blouse – the colors look great on you and the lowered neckline is perfect.
Thank you, Morgan! I’m really glad I lowered the neckline. I’ve made a couple of other tops similar in style and they always make me look like hospital staff – I think that extra bit of openness at the neck helps prevent that.
The idea of the “unintentional uniform” is making me cackle. I’ve been there. I made a top (coincidentally, from a Lisette Simplicity pattern) that I thought made me look like a priest. “More like a pilgrim” was Nathan’s verdict.
So funny! Pilgrim-chic – love it!
waouh ! i think i love all your creations on your blog! and this last one just had me buy the pdf pattern straight away… … thx !
(evening time here in Paris – the printer is on, scissors + tape are on the table… great !)
Oh thank you, Aude, so glad you’re here! Good luck with the taping + sewing!
Great! I was thinking about buying Late lunch tunic and everyday skirt, but I have to change my plan! That linen dress looks so good and comfy. Will make one.
I’m thinking of making the Late Lunch tunic next in a stable knit. Did you see that cute stripey version on the o+s blog? It reminds me of the tunic I made K, and I love it!
You keep going back to linen, Sanae, because you just do it so well! Love the dress version. It looks comfy and stylish at the same time. And I’m glad you tried tucking the pocket flaps in – I think I actually like the simpler lines of that look better. Great fabric choices for both! I really like the painterly look of the blouse fabric (and it’s blue, so it’s gotta be good:)
I agree with you on the pockets, Lucinda. I always like clean/simple lines. I wasn’t sure about the painterly fabric at first, but it drapes so beautifully I wanted to give it a whirl. Actually, my original plan was to use this amazing silk I have, but then I chickened out because I haven’t sewn much with silk and I was afraid of messing up!
There’s no cure for dark linen addiction cause there’s no problem with having too much of it! great sewing (as always) and I really like that spotty, lightweight blouse.
Haha, too true LM! The spotty fabric is so feather-light, that it almost feels like I’m wearing nothing. It’ll be wonderful for spring/summer.
Love your blouse ! Great fabric for it!
Thank you, Kate! I’m not one for prints usually, but this I like a lot 🙂
Very cute! I love that button down and was thinking the same thing if I were to ever make it…lengthen the bodice. I have to do that with everything anyway, since I’m incredibly long waisted (and short-legged, ha). The dress is lovely as well, and I’m with you on the linen…when I feel like I need to pep things up I just add a scarf. Voila 🙂
I should learn by now that I need to always add to the bodice – we have similar body types! I live and die by scarves and my collection has grown by leaps and bounds these last few years 🙂
beautiful stuff! i ADORE that fabric you used for the blouse – it’s like grown-up polka dots! 🙂
Totally grown-up polka-dots! You and I share a deep love of spots, Gail :-).
I like them both,but my favorite is the shirt. That fabric is amazing, reminds me totally to watercolors. Beautiful Sanae!
Thank you, Maria! I still have a bit of the dotty fabric left so I’m thinking of making K something floaty and pretty 🙂
The dress and shirt both look great! While I love linen, the print is really great. I think I’d add length to the shirt too. I like when my shirts are on the longer side. Beautiful work!
Many thanks, Meghan! I wish I knew what brand/fabric type this print is – the drape is really lovely, and I seem to remember there was a different color way too…I’m feeling encouraged to try more prints!
That drapy print blouse is so flattering on you. It does not look too short at all (but beomg long waisted I know I prefer more length in my tops, also. Thanks for sharing how things fit and what adjustments you had to make. Being busty also, I have not had time to sew for myself as I need to do FBA on pretty much every pattern and have been prcrastinating learning how to do that well, so your comments are REALLY helpful. Thank you!!!
Oh, I’m so glad you found this helpful, Beccy! Yes, the dress and blouse are roomy enough that I was able to skip the FBA which made it way easier. I hope you get a chance to sew for yourself;it’s so fun!
oooh, I especially like the blouse version! so drapey
Thanks Tara! The fabric IS fabulous, and very easy to sew with to boot!
Sanae- I’m like your Pinterest stalker. Sorry- you find the best links- I get lost for hours looking at the websites. I am getting inspired by you to sew something for myself soon, but first my girlies do need some winter weight skirts. Thse latest pieces you have sewn are very flattering. I like the pocket detail but with Ds I think less is better than more on the chest. The long vertical line is a great subtle detail … I don’t have a long torso but my rear is way too close to the floor. As I have “matured” I’m morphing into an apple. I was thinking, these nice clear front on photographs are a good way to think about how to play with details, colour blocking , seam detail and length, you could draw on the image to see what might work to visually change proportions. I’m thinking a tunic length blouse would be lovely…and I’m wondering how it might look in a heavier weight- denim perhaps. Keep up the awesome work you do- I look forward to reading your posts very much.
Thank you, Corina, I’m so glad you like my pins! It’s an addiction beyond rehab at this point 🙂 I love the idea of playing with the various components of the pattern design, and I think I’d really like this in a tunic length. I was actually going to originally make the dress in a denim linen-blend, but didn’t have enough of the fabric. Denim would look fab, I think! Have fun sewing skirts for your girls and hope you jump into sewing for yourself. It’s so much fun!
New to your blog, found the link via Pinterest, just had to know more about these. These are really beautiful. I love the linen version and I also love the way you lowered the neckline on the blouse. I think the Weekend Getaway blouse/dress is a grower for me. The first time I saw it I wasn’t that taken, I didn’t think it would do much for my shape (or lack thereof). However, the more I see, the more I like. The jury is still out on whether or not it will suit my body type but I will definitely be giving it a go.
Welcome, Nicki, so happy you’re here! I appreciate your comment so much. Yes, lowering the neckline was key for that blouse I think and I agree with you. At first I wasn’t sure about the Weekend Getaway, but as I sewed the dress and blouse up, I really came to love all the detailing and the easy yet stylish fit. Good luck with yours!
Gorgeous!! both versions are great!
Greetings from Belgium
So exciting to see you over on made by rae today! 🙂
Yes, so exciting!! I love Rae!!
Last week I sewed the blouse, I found the pattern gorgeous and so easy to follow !!
Your blouse and dress are wonderful 🙂
I will sew the dress in grey linen that I bought yesterday !
Fantastic! It really is a great pattern, and thank you for your kind words 🙂