Designer Liesl Gibson has earned a devoted following among sewists who eagerly await each season's line of her Oliver + S sewing patterns for children's clothes. And Liesl's new book, Oliver + S Little Things to Sew, offers a broad range of projects that combine expertly written instructions with smart design elements we've come to expect and appreciate from Liesl.  Maura and I are pleased to welcome Liesl as our special guest at our next Handmade Crafternoon on Saturday, April 2nd. 

Liesl will talk a little about her designs, her growing business, her inspiration, and her paper dolls. Yes, that's right, paper dolls. Created by illustrator Dan Andreasen, these dolls are on the packaging of Oliver + S patterns, adding a playful element to her creations that kids and adults can share. And at this Handmade Crafternoon, we'll all get to make our own paper dolls as we transform scraps of paper, fabric, glue, magnetic sheets, and other notions into magnetic paper dolls and one-of-a-kind clothing designs. Liesl will bring along lots of her Oliver + S paper dolls to share, and I'll bring out some fashion books from the collection to inspire you while you design your doll's wardrobe.

If you'd rather get crafty and make a paper doll of yourself or someone else instead of using Liesl's little ones, you can! In that case, bring along a printed photo or drawing of the person; it should be a head-to-toe image, with arms and legs a bit akimbo, and measuring around 6" tall. You'll be cutting and gluing stuff to this image, remember, so no treasured one-of-a-kind family portraits, of course!   

Yes, perhaps this sounds like child's play. And it can be, of course, so if your little one wants to come along and make paper dolls with you she or he is welcome!  You may want to bring along your own kid-friendly scissors, though, because our scissor supplies are all of the grown-up variety.

This event will also include great raffle gifts provided by Liesl's publisher Melanie Falick Books AND from two generous local businesses: Pins and Needles and West Side Kids.  And the Library Shop has copies of Oliver + S Little Things to Sew available for purchase (both in the shop and online) so you'll also have the chance for Liesl to sign your book for you on the spot. It's going to be a fun afternoon and we hope you'll join us! 

Here are the details:

• This is a FREE event and there's no advance registration required.  The seating will be first-come-first-served. We have spaces for 96 crafters, and we'll open the doors at 1:45pm.
• Where: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Margaret Liebman Berger Forum (on the Second Floor, Room 227)
• When: Saturday, April 2nd, 2011, from 2:00 to 4:00pm (doors open at 1:45pm)
• What to bring? If you're bringing a little one along you may wish to bring some kid friendly scissors.  And if you want to make a doll of someone instead of using the Oliver + S dolls, bring along a photo or drawing as described above.  Otherwise, we'll have supplies on hand to share, as usual, but feel free to bring favorite little scraps of paper or fabric that you'd like to use to make a doll outfit.