Hello! It’s that time of year, when I have the great pleasure to introduce to you our newest collection of sewing patterns. I’ve already introduced our Prado Trench Coat which we released last month. Now I get to introduce two other patterns, both of which are available in both paper and digital formats. Here is the first, the Positano Blouse + Dress. The Positano is another versatile pattern that’s both classic and trendy. Traditionally this style is called a peasant blouse, but I think it really deserves a better name, a little more glamorous, so I’ve named this one the Positano after that ..read more

Hello friends! It’s been a long time since my last weekend links entry. I’m going to try to bring it back again on, at least, a monthly basis, so let’s see if I can maintain it; running a small business is time-consuming! If you’ve been following along, I’ve been doing a series of blog posts about personal style and a core wardrobe that works with versatile items that can be worn in many combinations. How do you approach your sewing and wardrobe? Do you plan your projects in advance or take it one project at a time? I often have a wish list of items I’m considering sewing. Right now, in additi ..read more

Do you participate in Me Made May? It’s a fun way to encourage you to wear your handmade items more often or in some way differently to how you usually get dressed, and to see what you learn from the experience. I love it because the weather is finally starting to warm up and it’s a great opportunity to get out and experiment with the clothing I packed away during the winter months. This is a personal challenge: you decide how you want to participate, be it every day or once a week, wearing one item or maybe you want to wear only handmade if you’re really ambitious? It’s entirely up to you. An ..read more

I’ve written quite a few posts about personal style recently and thought it would be useful to do a round-up of them here so they’re all in one place. And in case you’ve missed them. how to add texture and depth to your wardrobe a reflection on personal style finding your style : the three word method timeless vs. classic and how to develop your own style my essential suitcase: if you had to condense your wardrobe into a single suitcase, what would you include? how to use photos and tear sheets to inspire your outfits 6 fall looks and the patterns to make them Enjoy! Lots more to come, so i ..read more

Spring is here, and that means it’s time for a spring sale! From now through Saturday, March 30 2024, you’ll save 30% off the retail price of all Liesl + Co., Lisette, Oliver + S,and Straight Stitch Society patterns when you use coupon code Spring24 at checkout. Both paper and digital patterns are included in this offer. But that’s not all. You’ll also save 30% on copies of Liesl’s book Oliver + S Building Block Dress: A Sewing Pattern Alteration Guide. Quantities are limited on some items. If there is a paper pattern you have wanted, don’t delay. It may not be around for much longer. Offer ..read more

Stylists are always saying the trench coat is a fashion basic that should be in every woman’s wardrobe. For many years I tried and just couldn’t find one that fit my style. They felt too contrived, too rigid and spy-like, somehow. But this more relaxed, oversized current style suits me, and I love the really long and really cropped styles that are so popular now! That’s what inspired me to create our Prado Trench Coat sewing pattern, too. Let’s look to see how the trench coat has been worn by celebrities both now and then, shall we? Maybe you’ll find a little inspiration for your own mood boar ..read more

Way back in college I stumbled across a radio program called Desert Island Discs. On it, each week a guest guides the listeners through their essential music, the albums they would take with them if they were going to be stranded on a desert island. As it turns out, that program has been on the air for many years and still exists! Well here is the clothing version, taken straight from my sketchbook: My Essential Suitcase. The 10 essential patterns I would make for myself if I was stranded someplace with only a suitcase (or, in my case, my beloved backpack). I’ve also listed some of my fabric p ..read more

Sue is one of our wonderful and very reliable pattern testers, and she really goes the extra mile. Not only does she test the instructions and the fit of each style, but she also checks how our patterns fit into her wardrobe–and she shares her photos! Here she is with some of the photos she sent for our new Prado Trench Coat sewing pattern. It was important to me that this trench coat looks great worn both buttoned and unbuttoned, worn open and relaxed as well as closed up against the cold. She’s certainly demonstrated both here! I love how it looks worn over this dress which, if I’m not mist ..read more

Our testers always do such a nice job helping to be sure our patterns are ready for release, and since we know you like to see their fabrics and results, here are some photos they took of our newest pattern the Prado Trench Coat! You can read my introduction to this pattern right here. Erica used a cotton-blend twill that has a little bit of stretch, and she tested View B. Here’s what she had to say about the pattern: This trench style is what I have come to expect from Liesl + Co patterns–the core wardrobe pieces but with some interesting details.   Daisy used a 10-ounce denim for Vie ..read more

Well, here’s something I never expected to sew. Nor did I expect it would turn out so well! On a whim, I sewed our new Prado Trench Coat in a heavy wool fabric with a fully lining, and I’m thrilled with the results! Apparently you were, too, judging from the attention it’s been receiving. I highly recommend visiting a lovely Spanish castle in the winter after you finish sewing your coat!   I chose a wool coating (on sale!) in a local store here in Madrid for my coat. It’s very heavy and thick, and I’m fairly certain it’s actually knitted rather than woven. But it’s a stable knit that act ..read more