New PDF pattern: the REESE PARTY DRESS

This is the time of the year when all mommies who sew are frantically trying to figure out what dress their girls will wear for Easter, the Daddy-Daughter Dance, the Spring Recital, or all these fun activities coming up. Well, I was right there with you! My girl, Sydney, attended her Daddy Daughter Dance last weekend and she was the Belle of the Ball in her new Reese Party Dress (there she is holding her daddy's hand).


Reese is an adorable, twirly dress, perfect for portraits, Easter lunch, Daddy-Daughter dances, weddings or any occassion where your girl wants to feel feminine and sweet. It features a unique cross-over back bodice design and front tabs that help give the dress a fitted look. A large bow in the back adds an extra touch of whimsy. Reese can be made with or without the front collar.

Our Reese PDF pattern can be found here:
Craftsy
Etsy

NOTE: This is a downloadable PDF pattern, NOT A PAPER PATTERN. After the instant download, your pattern can be opened with Adobe Reader and will print on standard letter-size paper (8.5" x 11"). There are 24 pages total in this document, including full-size, computer-drafted pattern pieces.

How about some amazing tester pics, eh?





Hope you love it as much as we do! I have a feeling we'll be making many more for all of Sydney's upcoming Spring activities. :)
Seams Unlikely Book Review

I am so honored to have been asked to participate in Nancy Zieman's Blog Tour for her new autobiographical book, Seams Unlikely. I had the pleasure of finally meeting Nancy last Fall when I went up to Wisconsin to tape a couple of episodes of her popular TV show, Sewing With Nancy, and I found her to be one of the most genuine people I have ever met... she was warm, welcoming and humble, which is something you don't usually get from high-profile people.

So, of course, I was curious to learn more about Nancy's life. Like most autobiographical books, this one begins at early age. I was fascinated to learn about farm life because it was so different from the way I grew up. Nancy really makes you feel like you were there... milking the cows, feeding the chickens and tending to the vegetable gardens. A far cry from my urban upbringing. From the very first few chapters of the book, you already start to get a sense of what shaped Nancy's personality... from the family values instilled by her parents to the health problems that plagued her since infancy. My heart broke when I read about the onset of Bell's Palsy and the myriad of knee surgeries that left her not only physically but also emotionally scarred. Nancy's writing style is so conversational, so frank, that you feel like you are sitting across the table hearing her tell you these stories over a cup of coffee.

When I was up in Beaver Dam last Fall, Nancy and I had an hour to kill during the drive down to Madison to film the TV show. At the beginning of our drive, I asked Nancy to tell me how she got started in the business. She explained how she used to travel with some of her favorite notions and people would often ask her where she got them, and how this evolved into her company, Nancy's Notions. Then she went on to tell me about how hesitant she was about appearing on TV because of her facial paralysis. Well, in the next part of her book, she goes into every detail you would ever want to know about how she started her business and grew it to what it is today.

Now, this is where I began to feel a bit more connected to her story. It was exciting to read about her husband, Rich, leaving his work to join her new endeavor (just like Jon did when he joined MODKID back in 2010). Then reading about how they moved the business from their cramped basement quarters into their first facility (just like we did a couple of years ago!). And hiring their first employees (just like we did!). And attending trade shows (helloooo?). Need I say more? I felt like this book was written just for me because I could identify with so much, but yet with every new chapter I was learning something new...something that hopefully I could apply to my own business. Nancy doesn't just tell you the good... she tells you the bad and the ugly too! The trials and tribulations of running a successful business while juggling a personal life are all spelled out right there in the pages of Seams Unlikely.

Of course, MODKID is still at its infancy stage, so I can only hope that one day I can achieve the level of success that Nancy has accomplished with both Nancy's Notions and Sewing With Nancy. More than 30 years later, they are still going strong and have a fan base as loyal as can be! Here's a funny anecdote: when we were wrapping up the taping of my second episode for Sewing With Nancy, the floor manager, Greg, said that I was a natural and totally belong on TV. Nancy looked at me and jokingly said "Oh-uh, should I be worried?". I responded, "Hmmm... 'Sewing With Patty' does have a nice ring, doesn't it?" We all had a good chuckle!

I jest, but honestly, I can only dream of building something like what Nancy has built here. She has surrounded herself with wonderful and supportive people who believe in her because she treats everyone with utmost respect. This and so much more can be found in Nancy's book, Seams Unlikely. I urge you to run out and get your copy today... you won't be disappointed!




GIVEAWAY!! 

Nancy is giving away twenty copies of Seams Unlikely. Please leave a comment on Nancy's blog HERE to qualify for book giveaways. Twenty random winners will be announced February 18, 2014.


If you'd like to read what the other reviewers had to say, check out the full blog tour here:

February 4 Nancy Zieman http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog
February 5 Eileen Roche http://dzgns.com/blog/
February 5 Pat Sloan http://patsloan.typepad.com/
February 6 Melissa Stramel http://melissaslilaclane.blogspot.com
February 6 The Long Ladies http://www.mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/
February 6 Tori Thompson http://totallystitchin.net
February 7 Amy Barickman http://www.indygojunction.com/blog/
February 7 Melissa Mora http://mellysews.com
February 8 Shari Butler http://www.doohikeydesignstudio.com/blog/
February 8 Vicki Christensen http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/
February 9 Carolina Moore http://alwaysexpectmoore.com
February 9 Kate Mclvor https://theconfidentstitch.squarespace.com/blog/
February 10 Amy Ellis http://amyscreativeside.com/blog/
February 10 Melissa Mortenson http://www.polkadotchair.com
February 11 Ilene Miller http://happyvalleyprimitives.blogspot.com/
February 12 Liz Hicks http://blogerisms.blogspot.com/
February 11 Julie Herman http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/
February 12 Bill Gardner http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/blogs/insideqn/
February 12 Elizabeth Evans http://www.simplesimonandco.com
February 13 Amy Webb http://www.amylouwhosews.com/
February 13 Lindsay Wilkes http://thecottagemama.com/blog/
February 14 Gertie Hirsch http://www.blogforbettersewing.com
February 14 Veronica Philips http://cloverusa.wordpress.com/
February 15 Jenny Gabriel http://www.sewvacoutletblog.com
February 15 Laura Wasilowski http://artfabrik.com
February 16 Frieda Anderson http://www.friestyle.com
February 16 Rita Farro http://ritassewfun.blogspot.com
February 17 Cindy Cloward http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/blog/
February 17 Joan Hawley http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/
February 17 Patty Young http://modkidboutique.blogspot.com
February 18 Nancy Zieman http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/

New book reveal and our BIGGEST SALE ever!

I've hinted of a new book in the works on FacebookTwitter and Instagram, but at last I am thrilled to show you the fruits of our labor! Emalee and I collaborated on this new pattern pack published by STASH Books. It is called MODKID Summer Fun, and as the title teases, it is packed full of fun things to make for your 18" dolls!

Order your autographed copy HERE today!


I am so excited about this new project! And so are Sophie and Sydney, as they ended up with tons of new clothes and accessories for their American Girl Dolls, while we made and perfected prototypes. :)

Here are some more pictures to whet your appetite:


Aren't they adorable?! Get your signed copy today HERE!

*** PATTERN SALE!!! ***

While you're visiting our website don't forget to browse our newest sale! As the title of my post hinted, it's the BIGGEST SALE we've ever had! Select patterns have been placed at 30% and 50% off!!


Click HERE to browse our pattern sale.



This SALE expires on February 17th, 2014, so hurry up and stock up before they are all gone!
New PDF pattern: CECE

We are delighted to announce our newest PDF sewing pattern, the CECE Lap Neck Dress and Top. We are madly in love with this design and so are all of our testers. Just take a look at what our tester, Jenny Fish (Sew Pretty Dresses), had to say about it. :)



Our Cece sewing pattern features a bias-bound lapped neckline, gathered stripwork skirt and an oversized bow belt for that extra WOW factor! It can be made as a dress or a top with three different sleeve lengths and styles. The detachable bow belt cinches the empire waist and adds a touch of whimsy. Includes instructions for making it with a stripwork or solid skirt. BONUS: Bias Tape making instructions included!!

You can find CECE here:

Check out some of our Tester photos:






Cece comes with soooo many views! Check out all the ways you can make it!


And if you make them with a solid instead of a stripwork skirt, you can get 6 more versions out of this pattern! Jenny Fish sewed up View E with a solid skirt and check out how adorable it turned out!



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