Mary Engelbreit Home Companion
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Text By Judith Stern Friedman

Blooming bodices
Designer Liesl Gibson and her company, Oliver + S, are having fun with children’s clothing patterns. Thorough instructions help casual sewers add fine dressmaking details. (a) Flat red piping and princess seams outline a bell-shaped Tea Party Sundress. (b) Front and back darts and pleated sleeve cuffs add shape and fullness to the Puppet Show Tunic that comes with coordinating bloomer-inspired shorts.

Come out and play
(c) With novel scalloped sides and free-flowing fit, the Bubble Dress is a little girl’s best friend. The sleeves are part of the bodice, making assembly easy. (d) Swing into summer with the Swingset Tunic and Skirt. Button-back placket and thin shoulder straps keep the look modest, yet oh-so-mod. Fabric for all clothing, Moda.

Trends & Tips from the Experts
Children’s clothing can be just as sophisticated as grown-up styles. Choose colorful, timeless prints instead of juvenile fabrics. Polka dots and stripes are classic favorites, or mix large-scale prints with small textures or solids.
Simple piping at seams adds a burst of color; keep lines clean and uncluttered with a minimum of trims.
Button closures are more comfortable and easier to sew than zippers while offering creative opportunity. Use mother-of-pearl or corozo (palm nut) buttons for a classic, clean, contemporary look.  

Tips courtesy of Liesl Gibson, Designer, Oliver + S oliverands.com


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