Anita, Author at megan nielsen design diary

Hacks for the Olive Dress & Top!

08.04.2020 by Anita // Leave a Comment

Can you believe the Olive sew along is all finished? We had so much fun taking you through each step and can’t wait to see your Olive makes! We talk a lot about all the different looks you can create using simple hacks for our patterns. So today’s blog post is all about the super simple ways to change up your pattern pieces to create a different look! If you have any ideas or if you’ve made some hacks of your own, be sure to share your makes with us so we can take a look! Just tag #MNolive and @megannielsenpatterns!

Let’s get going with all of the ideas we’ve put together! [Read more…]

Olive & Opal Maker Round Up | Part 2

08.02.2020 by Anita // 1 Comment

We’ve loved showing you the gorgeous Olive & Opal makes from some of our favourite makers these past few weeks. The time following a release is always so exciting as we slowly see all of you get into your patterns! We had so many incredible makes we wanted to share that we’ve got a second maker email to share with you!

Take a look at these beautiful makes, and be sure to tag #MNopal or #MNolive and @megannielsenpatterns on Instagram when you post your own! We’d love to see and share your makes!

[Read more…]

Olive Dress & Top Tester Roundup

07.18.2020 by Anita // Leave a Comment

Ok guys, I know I go on about how much I love our testers…but I think you’ll agree from the makes we’re about to show you…they absolutely ROCK! The Olive pattern can look so different depending on the fabric you choose or the little details you add, which is why I love it so much!

Our testers have absolutely knocked their makes out of the park, made their own twists on the views and made us do a little jig of joy because of how fabulously they turned out! I hope you enjoy their makes as much as we do and be sure to take a look at their Instagram accounts & blogs for endless sewing inspiration!

WHO

Tania // Find her on Instagram at @tania.ho

MADE

View B // Dress

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The neckline!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

Another dress in a more drapey fabric (maybe tencel).

WHO

Lisa // Find her on Instagram at @lisa_sewingaddict

MADE

View B // Dress & View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The neckline is super flattering (hello collarbones!) and the binding technique around the v-insert makes the inside of the dress look so pretty.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I’m planning to make a peplum top by cropping the dress, but adding a drawstring at the waistline to allow it to be pulled in.

WHO

Tsalia // Find her on Instagram at @tsaliarh

MADE

View B // Dress

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The clean finish bias binding on the inside of the neckline! It just looks so pretty!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

Yes, I am thinking of making the dress version in a drapier fabric. For this first version, I used contrasting fabric for the bias binding at the neckline, the pocket and the sleeve cuffs. I like the inside neckline finish of the garment so much that I think it could look really cool if the neckline finish was on the outside of the garment in a contrasting fabric!

WHO

Samantha

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

It is a quick sew!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I hope to sew up the dress, too!

WHO

Chelsea // Find her on Instagram @onthemarkdesigns

MADE

View B // Dress

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I ended up loving the v neckline and the cuffs on the sleeves!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I am thinking of doing one in a lighter fabric in a smaller size!

WHO

Lucia // Find her on Instagram @lucia_fl

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

Learning the technique to sew an V insert!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I’d like to make the version A with the arm bands of the B. Also, the version with long sleeves making the sleeves with scraps of other projects, making stripes with the different fabrics.

WHO

Jenni // Find her on Instagram @jennisewssomething

MADE

View B // Dress

WHAT SHE THOUGHT OF THE TEST PROCESS

Thank you so much for the opportunity to test this pattern. I had fun making it, and I’m sure I’ll have fun wearing it out too.

WHO

Connie

MADE

View C // Long sleeve blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

Finishing the facing with my own bias tape & the ease of construction fit for both woven and knit.

Rebecca's Olive test make WHO

Elisa // Find her on Instagram @elisa.prinz

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The simplicity and the versatility of it.

WHAT VARIATIONS SHE MADE

I omitted the triangle to make it very low cut, because I like the way it looked with a top underneath. And I used a (somewhat) contrasting visible bias binding on the neckline and sleeves

WHO

Stephani // Find her on Instagram @stephaninikole

MADE

View B // Dress

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The clean finishes inside and out and the nice deep pockets!

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I am going to try slimming the fit a little bit and I want to try a cute tied sleeve band.

WHO

Christina // Find her on Instagram @christina_alphabet or at Fetch & Bloom

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I love the grown on sleeves for version A, they are so simple and effortless. Including the V and patch pocket gives this shirt some whimsy ( I used contrasting fabrics).

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

View B will come to fruition as soon as my fabric arrives.

WHO

Penny // Find her on Instagram @sewmuchpenny

MADE

View B // Dress

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I loved the great instructions on the pockets and the way they sewed up – perfection!

WHAT SHE THOUGHT OF THE TEST EXPERIENCE

This is my first pattern test. I really enjoyed the process so thanks for letting me be part of it.

WHO

Hari

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

Lovely finishes and not needing many alterations.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

Long sleeve version for winter. I colour blocked this version because I was using up fabric scraps and included selvedge on pocket.

Shirley's Olive test make WHO

Shirley // Find her on Instagram @craftsy_moments

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

The dolman sleeves + v insert + pocket give the pattern a casual yet unique look and also lots of flexibility to play around with fabric placements.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I would attempt a hacked peplum top or to hack the gathered skirt to other styles and make a dress version in future makes.

WHO

Caroline // Find her on Instagram @caros_time

MADE

View B // Dress

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

Cute dress, lots of options

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I am keen to try all the versions and with different fabrics like linen.

WHO

Lisa // Find her on Instagram @ellejaysmakes

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

This was a perfect combination of a fun and simple sew, with an ‘extension’ technique for interest.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I’d like to do a version which combines an opaque fabric and a coordinating sheer or lace panel insert and/or sleeves.

WHO

Helen // Find her on Instagram @helen.c.sews

MADE

View B // Dress

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I loved how many variations there could be – I used the dress version as I had 2 meters of a beautiful fabric that I wanted to use up, but it was outside my personal style, so I’m looking forward to trying the blouse options, and lengthening to a shift. I also enjoyed the comprehensive instructions.

WHAT SHE IS PLANNING ON MAKING NEXT

I’d like to try both of the top versions, and lengthen the top to a shift dress.

WHO

Michelle // Find her on Instagram @michellegw

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

Simple, yet different summery top.

WHO

Cassie // Find her on Instagram @cassannebarry

MADE

View B // Dress

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I think there is lots of room for creativity with this pattern when it comes to modifying the v panel to mix fabrics or add an interesting feature!

WHO

Holly // Find her on Instagram @cotton.creature

MADE

View C // Long sleeve blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

This is a lovely simple pattern, but the added detail at the neckline makes it interesting, different and gives so many opportunities to get creative. I made the blouse version which is so beautiful and versatile, and can be dressed up or down easily.

WHO

Cherie // Find her on Instagram @mammamade

MADE

View B // Dress

WHAT SHE PLANS TO MAKE NEXT!

I’m considering mashing it with the Eucalypt top and making the waistline higher up.

WHO

Ana // Find her on Instagram @mujerconaguja

MADE

View A // Blouse

HER FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE PATTERN

I loved the way the armholes are finished. It looks great.

// LOOKING FOR MORE OLIVE POSTS? //

Don’t have the Olive sewing pattern yet?! Order Olive today! We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNolive and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!

Inspiration and Ideas for the Olive Dress & Blouse

07.16.2020 by Anita // 1 Comment

There are a few patterns of mine that hold a special place in my heart. Olive is definitely one of them. I designed the original pattern years ago and it’s based on a top of my Mom’s that I loved as a child!

As we went into development to release Olive this year, I fell back in love with all the various parts of the pattern! The drop waist, patch pockets, loose fit and especially the v-insert. It’s a pattern that can be made your own through some vary careful pattern matching, mixing up the different variation elements and of course some creative hacks like adding ruffles, a tiered skirt or creating a colour blocked look!

I hope you get some great ideas from this Olive Inspiration post…let me know what you think!

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Olive absolutely lends itself to all things girly and lacey!

Add lace in place of the self fabric v-insert for a sheer look.
Making an entire Olive dress or top from an embroidered cotton with lining underneath is one of our favourite looks so far. Check out our model Shelley in the white Olive dress here.
Add some lace along the shoulder hem to peak out from underneath.
Adding a fabric ruffle along the whole neckline would create the most beautiful Little House on the Prairie vibe. Love!

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We’ve made quite the number of striped Olive samples! It’s a shape that looks fabulous in all sorts of striped fabrics: thick stripes, pin stripes and of course multi-directional stripes!

Change up the direction of the stripe between the bodice and skirt and even the patch pocket! Get your best pattern matching skills out for this one!
Extend the skirt a little longer and keep all the stripes vertical to create a little more drama.
We love these striped linen numbers as super casual garments. A throw over for a day at the pool, or a super casual matching set for lounging in on the weekend!

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While Olive looks beautiful in stripes and floral fabrics, we have made quite a few Olive tops and dresses in plain block colours. Linen, double gauze, tencel…take your pick! Give it a go by sewing every section of the pattern, including the patch pocket in the same colour. So simple, so chic!

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As we were looking for inspiration for this post, we began to notice the sheer number of gorgeous outfits you could make with Olive, in matching top and bottom sets! Combine with our new Opal pants, Tania culottes or Reef shorts to get your own gorgeous, relaxed twinset. OR…dare we say…your next pair of pyjamas?!

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We think Olive is a gorgeous top and dress all on it’s own, but making very simple changes to your pattern will give you an entirely different look!

Crop the Olive blouse, and leave the V-insert out all together.
Lengthen the sleeves on your Olive dress for a little more coverage.
Add a lining layer on the skirt of your Olive dress to peek out from the hem. It creates a layered look without adding too much bulk (can also be great for those more sheer fabrics!)
Lengthen the skirt of your Olive dress to make a midi/maxi dress.
Add a colourful v-insert in contrasting colours to mix up an otherwise plain colour Olive.

// LOOKING FOR MORE OLIVE POSTS? //

Olive & Opal Maker Round Up Part 1

07.09.2020 by Anita // 1 Comment

One of my absolute favourite things when releasing new patterns is seeing the individual spin you put on them! So, to celebrate the release of Olive & Opal, I asked some of my favourite makers to show us how they would use the patterns!

As usual, each and every one has absolutely hit their make out of the park! I’ve already popped some of the clever ideas onto my list for future Olive & Opal makes (the wardrobe is getting seriously full you guys).

I really hope you enjoy these takes on Olive & Opal and make sure to check out these wonderful makers reviews and Instagram accounts. This is only the first post of two so there is serious inspiration coming your way in the coming weeks. I hope you get as much joy as we did when looking through these makes!

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