Claire first shared these exquisite wedding outfits in the Liesl + Co. Facebook community. We adore how she transformed a casual cropped pant pattern into elegant bespoke formalwear.

Name: Claire Oman
Country: Originally from the Netherlands, now based in England via Canada.

Where can we find you online? Blog, Instagram.

Project Details:

Link to Your Project: Shorts and tutu.

Patterns Used: Sailboat Top, Skirt + Pants, and the now-out-of-print tutu pattern from Little Things to Sew (some copies still available on Amazon.com).

Fabric and Notions:
The primary fabric for the shorts is a navy wool/polyester suiting with a light blue pinstripe. It features poplin facings and corozo nut buttons. The tutu is crafted using soft mesh, which has more drape than regular tulle, in layers of white, ecru, champagne, pink, and peach. The ribbon is ecru grosgrain.

Handmade ring bearer and flower girl outfits made from Oliver + S patterns.

Did the Fabric Work Well?

Overall, yes. It was my first experience working with this type of suiting blend, and while the polyester content made it wrinkle-resistant for travel—perfect for flying halfway around the world to attend the wedding—it was challenging to maintain crisp creases. This wasn’t ideal for achieving sharp corners on the front panels of the pants, but it turned out beautifully in the end. The soft mesh’s drape resulted in a less voluminous tutu compared to the pattern photos, which I should have anticipated. However, its graceful movement compensated for the reduced volume.

How Did the Sewing Go?

Smoothly! I jokingly say I could sew the Sailboats with my eyes closed, as this is my third pair of these pants (one full-length version and two cropped versions). I’ve also made the matching skirt for my daughter. The only significant modification I made was measuring the length from the hem of the original full-length pants to my son’s knee when he wore them, then folding back the bottom of the pattern piece from that measurement before cutting the shorts. (No additional hem allowance is needed this way since the pants were already hemmed. If you’re doing this without a pre-made pair, just measure your desired inseam, add the hem allowance, and shorten accordingly.) I skipped the topstitching around the front panel, choosing instead to understitch for a cleaner, more formal look.

The tutu was my first attempt, and I was initially apprehensive about all the gathering. But following Liesl’s excellent instructions made it a cinch. As with many new sewing projects, taking it step by step allowed me to achieve far more than I expected!

Handmade ring bearer and flower girl outfits made from Oliver + S patterns.

What Was the Best Part?

While I thoroughly enjoy the sewing process, in this project, seeing the bride and groom’s reactions was the absolute highlight. This was my wedding gift to them, and contributing to their special day filled me with joy. A close second is the beautiful photos. Although I often sew clothes for my kids and have a decent camera, they rarely pose for me, usually running off or making funny faces when the camera comes out. These lovely snapshots will undoubtedly remain cherished memories for years to come.

I hope this story inspires others to explore creative ways to adapt patterns for unique occasions. Sewing is not just about creating garments—it’s about expressing yourself and sharing meaningful moments with loved ones. Whether you’re crafting outfits for a wedding or simply enjoying the artistry of sewing, there’s always something magical about bringing ideas to life through fabric.

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