Even though I rarely make anything from them, I love pattern books, with their pretty fabrics and inspiring designs. Oliver & S is known for its lovely kids' clothing patterns, and the new book Oliver & S: Little Things to Sew is an adorable collection of 20 projects that you could customize to suit any child. [caption id="attachment_4451" align="aligncenter" width="265" caption="Image, Oliver & S"] [/caption]

The "little things" include toys, accessories and small items of clothing, and range from the useful (the Explorer Vest is perfect for that kid who loves collecting bits and bobs) to the downright cute (the Bear Carrier lets teddy come along for walks too). I found the instructions simple to follow, and there are tons of diagrams and photos. If you come across something in the book that you can't figure out, you can turn to the Oliver & S website's forums for more help. One sewing product I discovered in the book (in the Messy Bib pattern) is iron-on vinyl, which is applied to fabric to make it waterproof. I had no idea such a thing existed, and can think of all sorts of applications for it: tablecloths, placemats, children's play mats or change pads. As with every Oliver & S pattern, the book comes with paper dolls, which could keep your little one busy while you sew (or provide you with an hour of relaxing scissor work). I'm currently attempting the Reversible Bucket Hat (modelled by the little boy below) and will post pics of my results. Oliver & S offers a few free patterns on its blog, so you can try one out before you commit to the book. I'd love to hear if you've had any success with their designs, and any other simple children's clothing patterns you've tried. Post your links in the comments below, and I'll do a roundup post next week. Stitch on!