Fall 2010 MODKID Pattern Reveal
(brace yourselves, this post is HUGE!)

It's finally here! Thank you all for your patience the past few months as I hinted here & there about the upcoming patterns. Launching into women's wear was no easy feat but thankfully I was armed with a wonderful team of pattern testers and studio assistants to make the ride seem less terrifying. And this time around I even employed the help of a handful of awesome photographers to help with pattern covers and inspiration galleries (do check out their links if you're in their area!)

So, without much further ado, I present to you Penny and Maddie, for girls sizes 2T to 10 (yes, TEN!) and their women's versions, Penelope and Madeline, in sizes XS to XL... our new line of mommy & me sewing patterns on pre-order status now, for delivery on the 3rd week of October.



Cover photo by the fabulous Dawn Bergeron, of Dawn Bergeron Photography.



Penny is a laid-back and comfy shirt or dress for girls designed especially for the beginner sewist or for the confident sewist just beginning to sew with knits. There are only 3 pattern pieces to cut and assemble, so it goes together without a hitch! You will have loads of fun embellishing this simple dress or tunic with appliqués, ruffles and trims or adding fun variations like an empire waist, contrast sleeves or a ruffled hem — detailed instructions for these looks included on pages 5 & 6. For that perfect “mommy & me” look we have a women’s version of Penny, called Penelope (sold separately).

I seriously gasped when I received these photos from Stephanie Lynn Photography of her adorable daughter, Ryleigh, modeling Penny's View B with empire waist variation.



Just look at this face... here's a few more shots to swoon over.



Meli of JamClothingCo. never disappoints with her wonderful sewing skills and breathtaking photography. And of course, her daughter, Ava, is such a cutie! Here she is wearing Penny's View A...



...and Penny's View C with contrast sleeves.



And of course, you may remember this picture of Sydney from her first day of school... she's worn this dress so many times, it's now in "play" condition. ;)



Now on to Maddie...



Cover photo by the fabulous Dawn Bergeron, of Dawn Bergeron Photography.



Maddie is the perfect little everyday skirt... easy to sew, easy to wear and with enough design combinations to have a different look for every day of the week. Use all of your favorite designer prints by adding contrasting pockets, ruffled trims or mock wraps. Best of all, with the addition of a couple of suspenders, your child can wear her Maddie skirt as a super cute Summer dress.

More amazing photos from Stephanie Lynn Photography... (and way more on her blog)





And check out this Flora & Fauna version from Debbie Peasley of Bridget&Co. LOVE IT!



Sydney is modeling the dress version of View D. She absolutely loves it!



Drum-roll, please! Here are the women's versions of the patterns...



Cover photo by Dawn Bergeron, of Dawn Bergeron Photography.



Penelope is a feminine and comfy shirt or dress designed especially for the beginner sewist or for the confident sewist just beginning to sew with knits. All views feature a rounded V-neck with tiny gathers at the V for added charm. Choose between a short cap sleeve or a longer, kimono sleeve. You’ll be sure to find a perfect fit with 5 sizes (from XS to XL) and 5 different lengths (for petite and average heights) to choose from. Because of the stretch in knit fabrics and the unique sleeve shape, the bust size on Penelope is very accommodating. For that perfect “mommy & me” look, check out our girl’s version of Penelope, called Penny (sold separately).

My mom sewed up this gorgeous Penelope View B and my sister, Caty, modeled it for us. How awesome is this?!?



Melissa Baker tested and models View A below...



Emily Parks is modeling View F... I just adore that ruffled hem!



And, Carol Plaster is modeling View A, photo by Noelle Studios Fine Art Photography.



And last but certainly not least, I present to you Madeline...



Cover photo by Dawn Bergeron, of Dawn Bergeron Photography.



Madeline is the perfect little everyday skirt... easy to sew, easy to wear and with enough design combinations to have a different look for every day of the week. Use all of your favorite designer prints by adding contrasting pockets, ruffled trims or mock wrap panels. You’ll be sure to find a perfect fit with 5 sizes (from XS to XL) and 5 different lengths to choose from. For that perfect “mommy & me” look, check out our girl’s version of Madeline, called Maddie (sold separately).

Carol Plaster is modeling View D, photo by Noelle Studios Fine Art Photography.



Emily Parks is modeling View B, photo by Dawn Bergeron, of Dawn Bergeron Photography.



And my mannequin, Lola, sports a stretch denim version of View D.



Hope you all enjoyed the fashion show. If you're attending the International Quilt Market in Houston this month, please come see us and these wonderful new designs in person at Booths #931-933. Retailers and distributors, our Fall 2010 Line of sewing patterns is currently on pre-order status and will be delivered at the end of October on a first-come, first-served basis.

Stay tuned for more new & exciting announcements coming up in a few days... yes, folks, it's that time of year again! :) xoxo

Meet Em & Em

I finally did it. I don't know what in the world possessed me to think that I, all by my little lonesome self, could handle putting out a new line of sewing patterns 4 times a year, designing a new fabric collection 2 times a year, writing a book and several magazine articles plus traveling around the country several times a year for trade shows, exhibits and lectures. All of that, in addition to all the mommy/wife duties that on their own could easily fill up a day, would eventually drive anyone into the looney bin. Well, I started seeing the signs all too clearly. You know, like when you say something and the other person looks at you strangely because you just said the same thing like 2 minutes ago? Or like when you tear the house apart looking for your glasses... yes, the ones that were on your head the entire time!? Or like when you keep missing appointments or forgetting to pick up groceries, etc. because you just didn't write it down visibly enough and... out of sight, out of mind!? I could go on and on, but you know what I mean.

So, I finally took the wise advice from my mom (and from everyone who gazed upon my crazy-eyed, sleep-deprived, over-caffeinated face in the past several months) and got some help. No, not a shrink, although that's not a bad idea either. Help came in the form of Em & Em.

The original idea was to hire one assistant. Someone who could come in for a few hours a week and help with various studio tasks, like sewing samples for the book... and for the new patterns... and for Quilt Market. Like helping me organize said studio, since lately it was looking more like this than like this. Like helping me with photography and photo staging for the book. Like assembling test patterns and fabric bundles for my testers, then helping me with pattern edits. And... and... and...

The list of roles and responsibilities just kept growing. As we conducted interviews and looked at everyone's schedule it was painfully obvious to us that we needed more than one assistant. Enter Emily and Emalee (both pronounced the same way). No, we didn't hire them because it was fun to say Em & Em. Believe me, it gets quite confusing at times.

Emalee and her cute, cute hairbow:



Emily and her new trusty sidekick:



Emily and Emalee are both Seniors at Illinois State University in the Apparel, Merchandising and Design Department. They both presented us with portfolios that blew our minds and resumes that went on for miles... geez, I don't remember working that hard when I was in college! But best of all, they both showed a positive attitude, a willingness to work hard and an inherent desire to learn new skills. Sold!

Both Ems jumped right in and started working on their first day...





Little did I know that I would gain more than a little help around the studio when I hired Em & Em. I also got a sounding board and fresh set of eyes for all my crazy ideas, a new babysitter that the kids adore (we desperately needed that!) and some gorgeous models! Yes, folks, you heard it here first! You will be seeing a lot more of Em & Em in the covers of my new women's patterns, out next month!

Now... it's back to work! Or maybe I'll take that much overdue nap now.