Cherry Blossoms {The Blog}: Review & Giveaway: Ollie and Mae

Elizabeth is the owner of the darling little Etsy shop, Ollie and Mae.

Elizabeth was able to set aside a few minutes out of her busy day to answer some questions. Read on for a behind the 'seams' look at Ollie and Mae, what inspires Elizabeth to make such adorable items and much more...!

Why did you name your shop Ollie and Mae?
My shop is named after the little people I sew for most frequently: Tristan Oliver and Miranda Mae, my two youngest children.

What is your most popular item?
My most popular item so far has probably been my Teeny Mushrooms Brooklyn Dress; I'm also receiving lots of positive response to the Blondie top/dress pattern I'm using in my spring line-up.

What is your favorite item?
My top two favorite items are probably the Blondie and the Weekender -- Miranda's Weekenders are easily the most frequently worn items in her closet! I'm updating the Weekender for spring with a sunny yellow chevron fabric. It's one of the simplest things I sew, yet I love it so much!

When and how did you learn how to sew?
I have been sewing for as long as I can remember -- pretty much as soon as I was big enough to climb up into my mom's lap and not wiggle too much. She would place her skilled hands over my tiny ones and together we would guide the fabric along, ever so carefully. I loved watching her make lovely things and felt so very special when she sewed just for me. : )

Who or what inspires you?
Childhood! Many of the fabrics used in my shop take me back to a special moment in time: my children's favorite stories, warm summer nights (and cold winter ones!) spent staring up at the sky, treasure hunts at low tide on St. Simon's Island. The 'Bavaria' collection I'm featuring this spring reminds me of growing up in Germany; I spent 12 years there as a child.

What is your favorite type of fabric to work with?
I love to work with light- to medium-weight quilter's cotton because it's comfortable, easy to care for, and wears extremely well -- all things I find essential for my own children's clothing!

If you could go crazy (no budget) in a fabric shop which designer's fabrics would you immediately run for?
Sarah Jane (for Michael Miller Fabrics) or Aneela Hoey (for Moda). No doubt!

What is your favorite dessert?
What kind of question is this?! Whatever dessert is in front of me at the moment is my favorite dessert, please and thank you so very much! And cheesecake...cake pops...Oreo cookie 'cake pops'...

What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas.

What do you do to unwind?
Put the kids to bed, turn off all the lights and veg out with my husband and a favorite movie. There's usually a bag of Funyuns involved...

My Review

I was sent a gorgeous 'The Children on Parade' Dress from Ollie and Mae to review. This dress is so beautiful I seriously want one in my size (is that possible Elizabeth?!). The fabric is absolutely darling-and features children parading around the bottom hem on bicycles, wagons, carrying balloons and flags (and even an elephant makes an appearance!). The smock along the top of the dress has adorable pinwheels and is trimmed in rickrac. An adorable large fabric button is placed to one side of the smocking for an extra feminine touch. My daughter has worn the dress to church (with a sweater and tights as it is still quite cold here) and she received SO many compliments. The details and craftsmanship that make up this dress are incredible-it says so much about Elizabeth-that each one of her items are made with care and love. Every last stitch is impeccable. I highly recommend visiting Ollie and Mae and seeing all the beautiful creations Elizabeth has to offer.