i think most everyone probably had that teacher in high school / college whose teaching style really spoke to the way they learn. that teacher presented information in a way no one else could, and it just sunk in. for me there was a history/geography teacher in high school that taught us raunchy pneumonic devices (She Makes Him Eat Ovaries : Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario :: The Great Lakes). it worked.
for sewing, it’s really no secret that my favorite teacher has always been Liesl Gibson of Oliver + S. i stumbled across the free lazy days skirt not long after my husband gave me a sewing machine for mother’s day in 2009. her free popover sundress was my first pattern with pieces. the way she explains sewing is perfect for the way i learn, and i love her designs too.
i’ve now sewn 27 separate Oliver + S patterns (including those from Little Things to Sew), many multiple times.
i have learned so many techniques from Oliver + S patterns, and i believe i learn how to sew things the “right” way with every new pattern i sew.
this isn’t news – i professed my love for their patterns here, and in pretty much every Oliver + S pattern i’ve posted about since. i met Liesl at Quilt Market this spring, and after that, i’ve have been in regular touch with her, helping with new pattern launches in any small way that i can. it all comes easily though – i love to sew with Oliver + S patterns, and i love talking about my love for them!
Liesl was one of the first modern indie kids clothes patternmakers and remains the gold standard – i think many kid’s pattern designers and sewing bloggers owe a lot to Liesl, ya know? she really knows her stuff, she’s a creative person, she builds community, and i think she helped usher modern sewing for kids into popularity. i know i wouldn’t be blogging today without the support i received from the flickr group.
if you sew an Oliver + S pattern, you can make a boutique-quality garment. and that’s my goal – not to make homemade clothes, but handmade clothes.
so when Liesl asked me to become a contributor to the Oliver + S blog, of course i jumped at the chance. i’ll be working behind the scenes coordinating guest posts and brainstorming new ways for people to join in the sewing fun with Oliver + S patterns, and occasionally writing posts of my own too.
Liesl’s sweet intro for me went up yesterday, and my first post, up today, is a photo walkthrough (with bonus tips!) for the welt pocket method that’s included in the Art Museum Vest + Trousers pattern. i first posted my Art Museum outfit here, and hope the photo tutorial helps take any remaining intimidation factor away.
>> > come check it out! < <<
as for why Liesl chose me for this gig? that remains a mystery.
skirt as top 
what a great gig!!! so excited for you. i’ve only used a few o+s patterns, but have to say they are so meticulous and professional, and yet easy for the beginner… congratulations!
This is so exciting! Congrats, Kristen. You deserve it!
Why wouldn’t she choose you??? Congratulations!
just checked it out, yo. I loved it! the pictures and extra tips make it very clear. awesome stuff girl!
awesome congratualtions!
Congrats! She chose you because you are super talented as well! What a fun new adventure.
congratulations on this very exciting news! and everything you said about oliver + s is so stinkin’ true. best of the best!
Congrats Kristin! That is such exciting news. And you will be the perfect contributor, obviously. x
What awesome news for you!! Congratulations, Kristin!
Wonderful news, Kristin! She couldn’t have chosen a better person for the job!
I solved the mistery… It’s because you are awesome 🙂 Congratulations.
Interesting way to remember the Great Lakes, ha! We were taught that the first letter of each lake together spells put ‘HOMES’ 😉 Congratulations on being a contributor for Oliver + S!!
congratulations on your new gig – i love her and i love you, so sounds like a great pairing. I grew up in michigan and we learned the lakes by using HOMES — the ovaries trick is way sexier!
This is so cool, congrats Kristin!! She chose you because you are super talented and everything you make is awesome, obviously 😉 Seeing your handmades in action is inspiring me to make more everyday clothes for my kiddos, and not just special occasion dresses. I guess I’ll have to start adding Oliver + S patterns to my stash!
So cool, Kristin! She must have tremendous taste indeed if she picked you- congrats!!
Huge Congratulations!! This is such a natural fit for you. Liesl is exacting and demanding (in a good way). She is always pushing the people following her pattern to make a high quality item. You have the same drive for something to be beautifully done! Can’t wait to see what comes of this great collaboration!
Oh, that is no mystery at all! I can’t think O+S without thinking of you! I think Liesl is really lucky to have YOU 🙂 your first tute is amazing, love the nice crisp pictures, well done!
27 delightful Oliver + S patterns? Oh my!