pretty exciting development in the world of women’s sewing – Liesl Gibson, creator of the fantastic children’s pattern brand Oliver + S (and my sewing mentor), recently announced the release of three new women’s patterns! i knew adult patterns were coming (she mentioned them at Quilt Market) but had no idea what they’d look like or whether they’d work with my pregnant belly. when i got an email from her with the patterns attached last week, i fell in love and rushed to the fabric store that same day.
i plan to sew all three of the new patterns eventually, but first i decided to tackle the weekend getaway blouse.
okay no, i’m lying.
i actually planned to sew the late lunch tunic, and bought this great chambray shirting from Mill End specifically for that pattern, buuuut then i flew down to visit Jess last weekend (more on that later) and she had already sewn up her version of the weekend getaway in the exact size i measured, so i got to try on her finished blouse to see how it fit (when is that possible in sewing? not often!).
between liking how hers looked on me and having her pattern pieces all taped and cut out, i went ahead and sewed it up with the fabric i’d brought along. lazy, or opportunistic? you be the judge.
this blouse would typically be a quick sew, but it was pretty much my slowest – lots of chatting, not much sewing! so fun to sew with company, though. i got it most of the way made while i was there and finished it up once i got home, and i’m kind of in love with it! i feel like the fit is slimming and easy to wear, especially with my oxymoronic maternity skinny jeans (hence the canadian tuxedo post title).
i felt totally comfortable tackling this pattern, which looks and feels exactly like the Oliver + S patterns i adore. (Edit: it comes in sizes 0-16 and there’s also a 3/4 sleeved dress option!) there are cool details (exposed facing in the front, smart pockets, opportunity for contrast topstitching) and i feel like i could sew this pattern in a range of different fabrics and options and it wouldn’t look like i just made the same thing 3 times.
i love that it’s sized nicely too – none of that “this pattern says i’m a 16 but i usually wear a 6” funny business going on, which is a HUGE peeve of mine with commercial patterns.
i also appreciate that it’s loose fitting enough for me to sew with no adjustments for my 21 week belly – it definitely won’t last me the whole pregnancy, but i know it’ll fit afterwards.
Liesl’s goal with these new Liesl + Co. patterns is to give us interesting, wearable designs that are approachable and not too difficult to sew. she’s starting off with basics to help us all build confidence in sewing for ourselves, then she expects to add more of the “tricky tailoring stuff” with future patterns.
i’m totally on board with that plan.
***
i was sent the weekend getaway blouse + dress pattern at no cost, with no strings attached. all this gushing is of my own free will.
you can find fabric to create a similar look online at my sponsor Drygoods Design here and here!
my jeans are from when i was pregnant with O – similar here. my comfy moccasins are Minnetonka (affiliate link).
skirt as top 
I love this so much on you! Can’t wait to make one. Yesterday at work, I was scheming to take home some chambray for the everyday skirt. Then someone bought all of the bolt I wanted. Boo.
boo on them!!! I’m so on board with the chambray now, man. it’s awesome.
Thank you for the close up view of the details. I will be making this for my grown daughters. I wish it came in my size. I think I will be studying on how to grade a pattern up a size or two. Love it.
you’re welcome – the details are always great on Oliver + S patterns, and of course now translate to Liesl + Co too!
So cute. I was just wondering looking at yours if it could also be made with a long sleeve (it’s cold here in NH!) and the pattern comes with both a longer sleeve and a dress option. Perfect!!
yes, there is! i updated the post, thanks for reminding me.
Baby boy is getting big! Another 9-pounder on the way! 😉 Such a pretty blue- I bet it really brings out your eyes! Good job, sis!
haha we’ll see. thanks girl!
So cute, Kristin! Makes me want to get sewing for myself now. I like the way the collar curves at the top. It’s a nice feminine detail.
you really should! then you can make whatever sleeve length you want – sometimes it’s nice to get away from kid pickiness and just deal with your OWN pickiness. 😉
You look great! Hey, since you’re wearing it as an early-maternity top, you could also add a little elastic casing at the inside back waist to cinch it up a bit and give it a different look. Could be darling! I’m really glad you like the pattern.
thanks so much, Liesl! fantastic idea, too.
This is the one I’ve had my eye on! This post makes it terribly much more tempting!
doooo it!
LOVE!! I debated whether to make the dress in chambray — we would have been total twinsies then 🙂 and you are such an adorable pregnant mama!
haha we really would’ve! thanks sanae!
oooo yes!! i like it! you can really see the details with the chambray. and sewing with company…i’m jealous 🙂
we really need to do that more often, you and i.
Ok, you look adorable, but the Canadian Tuxedo thing totally threw me…lol. So hilarious.
haha as a canadian you’d never heard that? it just cracks me up. 🙂
love your fabric choice – it looks so clean and crisp!
thanks so much lucinda!
Very cute top! I’ve seen the tunic already sewn up and it was very flattering (at least on Nettie). This one looks great on you and you could totally take in the sides and wear it when you are not pregnant. I was intrigued by your blogpost title, I had no idea what a Canadian tuxedo was and I thought perhaps you were going to sew a hockey jersey. 🙂
HA! that would’ve been funny. thanks!
Looks great Kristin. It does look so different with the pockets in a plain fabric, compared to the patterned rayon-y versions. This is lovely (and nice belly too!)
yeah it was sort of a happy accident – i love it in the rayon/voile versions too!
This looks so awesome, Kristin! Hooray for tops that work during pregnancy and will still fit in the spring. I’m so excited for you and your family!!
thanks robin!! we’re so excited too. 🙂
So sweet! Love the chambray, and especially with the cute belly poking out.
thanks soph!
love the chambray! You look really cute, hope you are feeling ok in the middle break zone!
aw thanks, jess. yes, i totally do – enjoying the honeymoon phase of pregnancy for sure.
Nice job! Looking adorable Kristin!
thanks, caro!
beautiful top and great styling! I am really intrigued by the 3/4 sleeve dress option.
Oh Sweet belly! You look fabulous and so does the shirt!!
~Michelle
Love this tip! Such interesting details!
Oh so stylish maternity top… the dress version would be lovely maternity wear too. Love the (so neat!) top stitching detail, and that back pleat!
Ah, lovely fabric choice, it looks great! Did you make some changes to the front detail? It looks a bit different somehow – like the placket and the collar part (the bit that falls open) aren’t all one piece?? ‘Canadian tuxedo’ is a new one on me too, but I’ll be incorporating it into my vocabulary now!