MODKID Summer Fun Blog Tour!

Oh, don't worry! I haven't forgotten about the Going Digital survey. There is still time to weigh in. I will share the results after the blog tour and we will begin digitizing the first 4 patterns immediately after!



But now, on to other exciting things!! We are having a blog tour for my newest book (pattern pack), MODKID Summer Fun. You may remember I shared some info about it back when it was first released. Well, a select group of bloggers have all received copies from my publisher and they are ready to tell you (and show you) what they thought. Follow along the tour and enter to win your own FREE copy at each stop!





4/1/2014  Jennifer Coe:  fabricbliss.blogspot.com 
4/2/2014  Carla Crim:  scientificseamstress.blogspot.com  
4/3/2014  Sara Lawson:  sewsweetness.com
4/4/2014  Generation Q:  generationqmagazine.com
4/5/2014  Suzanne Winter:  www.patternrevolution.com
4/7/2014  Laura Kelly:  lauradesignsblog and dolldiaries.com 
4/8/2014  American Patchwork & Quilting:  allpeoplequilt.com/blog 
4/9/2014  Kristin Link:  sewmamasew.com 
4/10/2014  Jenny Fish:  sewprettydresses.blogspot.com  
4/11/2014  Patty Young/MODKID modkidboutique.blogspot.com

As always, you can order a signed copy of the book here.
MODKID's Going Digital!

Yes, I know what you're thinking...."but you guys already have PDF patterns... those are digital!" Well, for the past 18 months or so since we started offering PDF patterns, we have been asked the same question repeatedly... "Will you ever offer your existing paper patterns as PDF?" And sometimes the question is even more specific, "Will you offer Kyoko as a PDF?" Our answer has always been the same, "Sorry, but we are keeping our paper and PDF patterns separate." But, you know what they say... never say never. The demand for digital patterns is increasing dramatically. I guess times are changing and we gotta keep up with the times!

We currently have 60+ paper patterns and this will take an eternity to digitize (no joke!). It's not a matter of pushing the "make PDF" button. There are a lot of re-formatting issues that go along with this process. We have to update photos, diagrams, and text on certain (older) patterns. We have to take our large pattern sheets and slice them up so that they can be printed on your desktop printer. And, even though every pattern has been tested thoroughly, things can always go wrong when reformatting, so all patterns will have to be re-tested before releasing them to the public.

This is why we have to take things slowly. We will only release 4 patterns at a time, and here is where we need your help: using the form below, please vote for your four favorite MODKID patterns... the 4 that you absolutely MUST have in digital format. I promise, we will get to all of them eventually, but it might be several months (or maybe longer) until we get to the bottom of the list, so we want to make sure we do this... not in alphabetical order, nor in original release date order, but in popular demand order. :)



If you need to reference the patterns before you vote, check our website here.
If you are having trouble using this form here on the blog, you can go directly to Google Drive and update it here.

Also, if you have any specific requests, questions, comments or just want to say "YAY, finally!", please leave us a comment below. We would LOVE to hear from you!! I am leaving the country for a couple of weeks, but when I get back I will share the results of this survey.

Thank you all for your help! I cannot wait to see what you all choose. :)
Essential Sewing Reference Tool
Book Review (and giveaway) by Patty Young and Emalee Grambo

***UPDATE: this contest is now CLOSED. The winner was.... Susan Bates! Congrats!***

If sewing is your "thing", then I'm sure you've heard of Carla Crim, a.k.a. The Scientific Seamstress. The girl is a friggin' genius... as in, she has a Ph.D in Molecular Biology! She is also one of the most clever and funny people I have ever met and vertically challenged, just like me, so when we run into each other at sewing events, we usually stick together!

Well, I was thrilled when Carla asked me to review her latest book, Essential Sewing Reference Tool, because I knew it would blow me away, like everything she does. A small part of me was even giddy that I got to receive an advance copy because I knew this was the sort of book I would come back to reference over and over again. And boy, was I right! Pssst... you can also enter to win a free copy by leaving a comment below this review!

But let's get right to it. My assistant, Emalee, and I are co-reviewing this book for you today. We decided to do this in tandem because I thought you guys would enjoy getting some different perspectives coming from two totally different points of view.

I will go first. The book starts out with what I like to call the hardware... everything you ever needed to know about sewing machines, cutting tools, notions of every imaginable kind, pins, needles and threads, oh my!  Then it goes into techniques. What would you like to learn about? Machine stitches, hand stitches, seams, hems, maybe even some stuff you've never heard of (hello there, Hong Kong Finish!)? Well, it's all here, and then some! Wanna know how to make your own bias tape or piping, install zippers, make buttonholes? Well, this is the book for you!

But, perhaps, the section I was most excited to delve into was the garment-making and pattern sections. Well, after having been designing sewing patterns for over 7 years, I have amassed a huge quantity of reference materials, from sizing charts to measurement conversions... some of them are bookmarked on my browser, others are printed out and filed away. But, whenever I need to look something up, I invariably always forget where I've saved it. Well, who needs Google, when you've got the Essential Sewing Reference Tool at your fingertips? If you are a beginner pattern-maker, this will be an invaluable tool to have... oh how I wish I had this book way back when I was just starting out!

Now, on to Emalee's review. Hers is less conversational, and more to the point (bullet-pointed and all!):

  • Visually appealing
  • Covers every area of sewing industry: Bed sizing, pillow sizing, curtains, bed skirts, table cloths, placemats, belts, bags, garment construction…
  • Pg. 46: Her way of cutting bias tape is a helpful reference.
  • Pg. 47 and 48: Awesome new way to do continuous bias tape!
  • Zipper instructions are always helpful to beginners.
  • Pg 70: Her instruction to place a toothpick under a button when sewing is great! Never heard of that! 
  • Pg. 89: Hemming a Tablecloth! Never knew that either and that is awesome!
  • The sizing charts and number conversions are super helpful to have.
  • This book has every reference you could ever need all under one cover!
Well, there ya have it, folks! I hope this review was helpful to you. And many kudos to my friend, Carla Crim, for a most excellent reference tool that we will surely use for years to come!  

GIVEAWAY!!! If you would like to enter the giveaway and receive your very own copy of the Essential Sewing Reference Tool, please leave me a comment below. We would love to know: Are you new to sewing, or pattern-making, and are looking for a book to help you kick start your business? Or are you an old pro just looking to have all those helpful reference materials in one spot? Make sure you leave us a way to contact you if you win (email, clickable link, etc.). We will draw a winner on Wednesday, March 19th.


***UPDATE: this contest is now CLOSED. The winner was.... Susan Bates! Congrats!***


RED CARPET AWARDS
(HUGE GIVEAWAY and a SALE!!)

Do you like PDF sewing patterns? If you answered yes, then this is the contest for you!! And if you've never tried a PDF pattern, well, this is your chance to win a bunch for FREE! Not just from MODKID but from dozens of other leading sewing pattern designers in the industry.



Welcome to the RED CARPET AWARDS! MODKID is thrilled to have been nominated for not one but TWO AWARDS in this contest! Our Melanie pattern was nominated for Documentary of a Shortie (Playwear for Kids) and our Keagan pattern was nominated for Leading Mini Man (Tops for Boys).

Please vote for MODKID below and show your support! There will be 3 winners for each rafflecopter - so a total of NINE winners, each winner will receive an assortment of over $100 worth of PDF patterns!




And if you haven't had a chance to check out these patterns, here is your chance to get them at 20% off! From now until the end of this contest (3/8 at midnight) take 20% off your entire purchase on our Etsy store when you use coupon code REDCARPET2014.

Some mote information about this contest...

The academy has been hard at work behind the scenes rounding up some of the awesome designs that were released by Dec 2013.  They have come up with a long list of nominations in 13 fun categories.  And now they want to know what you think - you get to share your opinion by Voting.

Rules:

  • You must be 18 to enter
  • You must fill out the voting ballot to enter (link below)
  • You can gain extra entries by entering the prompts in the rafflecopter bellow
  • Giveaway ends 3/8 at midnight EST
  • Because of the number of Sponsors who wanted to say THANK YOU to all of their fans and members who make up this group, we have split the sweepstakes into 3 entry forms.  This way we stay compliant with rules of online giveaways.  By filling out the Voting Ballot, you can enter all three rafflecopter forms.  You can gain additional entries for each by following the prompts.  There will be 3 winners for each rafflecopter - so a total of NINE winners.

So jump in - vote for your favorites, like some new Designers on FaceBook, and Enter to win some fabulous prizes! Below is the link again... in case you missed it before!



Then, enter this Rafflecopter to be entered to win:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more information on this contest please go to: http://patternrevolution.com/blog/2014/2/25/the-red-carpet-awards-celebrating-10000-members-in-the-pdf-sales-group


GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE! And thank you so much for your support!!
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