Please join me in welcoming Elizabeth to the blog today! She’s here to talk about her beloved Oliver + S pattern and showcase the amazing variations she's created. It's great to have you with us, Elizabeth!
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Hi everyone, I'm Elizabeth, and today I want to share my absolute favorite Oliver + S pattern—the Garden Party Dress. Before becoming a mom to two little girls (ages 7 and 4), I mostly dabbled in sewing cushions, patchwork, and a few rag dolls. However, once my daughters were born, my focus shifted entirely to making clothes for them.
One day during a trip to London, while visiting the stunning Liberty of London store, I stumbled upon this incredible dress displayed on a mannequin. It was crafted from Liberty Lawn fabric and turned out to be the Oliver + S Tea Party Sundress. I was instantly smitten! Without hesitation, I purchased the pattern, the “Little Things to Sew†book, and some Liberty fabric to recreate it at home. That moment marked the beginning of my deep affection for Oliver + S.
Following that initial project, I was hooked. The detailed instructions and quality of the patterns drew me in completely. Since we live quite far from London, I rely heavily on digital patterns. Each size is printed, meticulously taped together, and stored neatly for future projects.
I eagerly awaited every new release from Oliver + S, working my way through their collections. Dresses like the Jump Rope, Family Reunion, Carousel, and Fairy Tale became part of my repertoire, along with some Swingset Skirts and Reversible Bucket Hats. Yet, after tallying up my creations, it became clear that the Garden Party Dress remains my go-to favorite.
From the very start, I adored everything about the Garden Party pattern—the delicate capped sleeves, the gathered front reminiscent of the smocked dresses I wore as a child, the elegant neckline, and the overall charm of it all.
For my first attempt, I used a crisp blue and white Japanese lawn fabric with contrasting blue bands and lined it with white lawn. I made one for each of my daughters, and they quickly became wardrobe staples—whether for formal occasions or casual tree-climbing adventures.
[Image description: Two young girls wearing Garden Party Dresses, one in blue and white, the other in polka dot fabric]
My daughters absolutely love dressing up, whether it's for special events or just for fun. After Jemima wore her elaborate Fairy Tale Dress to climb the ruins of our village castle, we realized the need for a more durable yet equally enchanting outfit. Enter the "Everyday Elsa," featuring appliquéd snowflakes, a detachable short train, and a sparkly trim on the contrast bands. Made from soft cotton, it strikes the perfect balance between comfort and fantasy.
[Image description: A young girl wearing the Everyday Elsa dress, adorned with sparkling details]
To complement the "Elsa," I designed an "Anna" inspired dress with ric rac trim, felt appliqués, and a split front piece for dual colors. Adding a modified Red Riding Hood Cape finished off the ensemble. This dress has stood the test of time and continues to be a favorite, cape included.
[Image description: Another young girl wearing a Scandinavian-inspired dress with pom-pom trim]
The versatility of the Garden Party pattern truly shines through in its adaptability. Over the past year, I’ve created two more additions to our dress-up collection. For Jemima’s role as an angel in her school play, I transformed an old fitted bedsheet into a flowing gown complete with gold embellishments and a tulle sparkly over-skirt. She was thrilled with how it turned out.
[Image description: A young girl dressed as an angel, wearing a golden-trimmed dress with a tulle skirt]
For World Book Day, Matilda wanted to dress as the character from “The Paper Dolls†by Julie Donaldson. The Garden Party pattern worked perfectly for this, resulting in a simple yet striking green-striped version that has been enjoyed throughout the summer.
[Image description: A young girl posing in a green striped dress]
While I cherish several Oliver + S patterns, there’s something undeniably special about the Garden Party Dress. Its ease of adaptation, quick construction, and timeless appeal make it my top choice. Whether it’s for everyday wear or imaginative play, this dress never disappoints.
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Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Elizabeth! Your creativity and passion for sewing are truly inspiring.
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