Welcome back, Sarah, who blogs over at Not Sew Fast. She previously contributed to our 2014 Flickr mosaics post earlier this year, and she’s back to share her thoughts on her favorite Oliver + S pattern. Thank you so much for joining us today, Sarah!
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Hi everyone! I’m thrilled to be here today to talk about my absolute favorite Oliver + S pattern. I began sewing in 2012 and stumbled upon Oliver + S shortly after. Since then, I’ve purchased 32 different Oliver + S patterns, and I’ve sewn 25 of them. Oh, and let’s not forget the “Little Things to Sew†book—there’s so much creativity packed into those pages! I truly owe much of my sewing journey to Oliver + S.
As someone who works full-time, my sewing time is precious. I’ve always been someone who loves learning, and Oliver + S patterns provide endless lessons. Each pattern feels like a new challenge and a chance to improve my skills.
When it comes to my favorites, it’s hard to pick just one. However, the Roller Skate Dress stands out as my absolute top choice.
The first Roller Skate dress I ever made was also my very first real dress. I was amazed—it felt surreal to create something so beautiful from scratch. One of the best parts about this dress is its simplicity. It only has two pattern pieces, and the cute cap sleeves are integrated directly into the design. The dress gets its shape from elastic sewn into a cleverly constructed casing formed by the lining. Yes, the Roller Skate dress is fully lined!
[Image: Roller Skate Dress]
I adored making my second dress. Whenever I want my fabric to really stand out, the Roller Skate dress is what I turn to. This print is particularly special to me, and the dress shows it off beautifully.
[Image: Second Roller Skate Dress]
For the third dress, I used a large double border print. Cutting it required precision because the space between the two borders was narrow. I decided to make it into a longer tunic instead of a dress. I also tried sewing the neckline notch for the first time, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out. The facing is hidden on the inside, so you get the notch detail without any contrasting fabrics. I wanted to keep the focus on the border print while adding a touch of interest at the neckline.
[Image: Third Roller Skate Dress]
The fourth dress I made is one of my daughter’s favorites right now. It’s another border print, and I adore how this dress lets the fabric speak for itself. Although my daughter still fits a size 4, I added a bit more length to this version.
[Image: Fourth Roller Skate Dress]
For the final dress, I went all out—I sewed the neckline notch and added a contrast facing. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.
[Image: Final Roller Skate Dress]
But here’s the best part: these dresses grow with your little ones! They’re designed to be loose-fitting, so even when they’re outgrown as dresses, they can still be worn as tunics with leggings. Both of these examples are size 3 on my 4.5-year-old.
[Image: Tunic Version]
In my mind, the Roller Skate dress is perfection. It can go from fancy occasions like weddings to playground adventures on the monkey bars. The single button closure at the back makes dressing and undressing a breeze. This pattern taught me so much, especially since it was my first real dress project: how to make a button loop, how to fully line a dress, how to sew the perfect notch, how to add a contrast facing, how to staystitch a neckline, and how to use the lining to create a casing.
[Image: Collection of Roller Skate Dresses]
There are countless stunning versions of the Roller Skate dress out there. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Try making it in knit fabric, like this example.
- Or go bold and make it reversible, like this dress.
- Add appliqués to the bottom for a unique twist.
- Layer it with a long-sleeve shirt during cooler months.
- Use lace as an overlay for a touch of elegance.
- Flip the design entirely for a fresh look.
- Match stripes perfectly for a striking finish.
I hope these examples spark some creativity and maybe even make the Roller Skate dress your next favorite project. Thank you so much for having me today!
If you'd like to revisit some sewing history, check out Liesl's original introduction to the Roller Skate pattern from February 2013.
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Hope you enjoyed this little dive into the world of the Roller Skate dress! Let me know if you give it a try—you never know where your sewing journey might lead.
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