Pillow Pal with New Cover Style

These are two of the larger style Pillow Pals and a peek at the new style pattern cover I am working on. I hoping to have it out for testing this weekend. I want to have it available soon enough so that customers can have it to make Christmas gifts.

I liked the cohesive look of Sew Sensible's new pattern covers and decided to "borrow" the idea to create one for my patterns. Here is what I came up with. Let me know what you think.

Dee Dee Pleated Dress Pattern

My new pattern is ready and available on Etsy, soon to be available on YCMT.


Dee Dee Pleated Dress is an easy pattern that has pleats on the front and back and ties on the sides. The ties can be adjusted to make the perfect fit. The tie is sewn on to hold the pleats in place and is a great place for some decorative stitching or a small embroidery design. Add an extra button to the straps to adjust for growth. Included are instructions and patterns for sizes 1 through 6 along with lots of pictures to illustrate every step.

One of the testers, Bani, is from Germany and suggested I add metric measurements to the pattern for European customers. I added the metric to this pattern and will include the conversion in all of my patterns. Eventually I will revise the previous patterns to include metric measurements also. Thank you Bani for such a great suggestion.


Here is Bani's creation for the testing process. She does beautiful embroidery and applique and added it to the front and back ties as well as along the hem as you can see.

My second tester, Coleen, added an apron to the front of her dress. Even though they used the same pattern, you can see how these changes and the different fabric choices make each dress a unique creation.



Thanks to Bani and Coleen for helping me test this pattern. I appreciate all the great comments and suggestions.

Thanks to my adorable models for the cover and to their mom for taking the pictures. Check out her blog, J Chustz Photography.

Dee Dee - New Dress Pattern Coming Soon

My new pattern will be ready for testing in the next couple of days. This one will be named Dee Dee, after my mom. It has pleats in the front and back and will be in sizes 1 through 6. Like my other patterns, it will be easy to make and very versatile. The ties and/or straps can be in a different fabric for contrast. Embroidery or a decorative stitch can be added to the front of the tie for an extra touch. The ties on the sides can be loosened or tightened to make the perfect fit.

Here is what it looks like.

If you already have one of my patterns, you can get this one for 1/2 price when available. The only thing you have to do is send me a picture of something you made with one of my patterns to feature on my blog and submit it to the I Made This Section of the YCMT website. Just let me know when you send the picture that you would like Dee Dee at half price when available.

MORE EXCITING NEWS

My patterns will be listed with a site called Banberry Place. They sell European Fabric, patterns, epatterns, embroidery and notions. Currently only the Annette Pattern is available on the site but the others will be soon. Check it out!!

Emily & Tana Dresses Customer Creations

I just got this great picture of the Tana Tutu Dress from a customer in Germany. The embroidery looks great and I love the way it is presented with the name of the dress and her name. It was made with love for a special little's girl's birthday. Thanks Bani for sharing this picture of your Tana Tutu Dress.

This is another great look from a mom who is the mother of two boys but loves making girly things. Here is what she made from the Emily Dress pattern. What a cute idea using camo and hunter's orange. Thanks Heather for sending these pictures.

Heather recently ordered Karen and Tana patterns. Here is what she said:

"I can not wait to recieve the karens capri and halter and the tutu dress. I love all your work. You have amazing items and your patterns are so easy to follow. I have sent you one of the emily dresses I have made. I hope to one day have even half the talent you have. Thanks again for your patterns can't wait to make more works of art!!!"

Don't forget to comment on my previous post to help me celebrate 1 year with YCMT and a chance to win one of my patterns.

Karen Capri Set Customer Creation

Look at this beautiful little girl in her new outfit that her grandmother made her from the Karen Capri Set Pattern. Not only did she make the outfit, she made a matching bow and shoes with squeakers.
Here is what she said:


"I was so thrilled about the way your Karen Capri Halter Set turned out for our 3 yr. old granddaughter, that I decided to try and size one for our baby granddaughter! This one is a 6 months size made with the same fabric. . . your pattern is soooo easy to understand that I can easily make one in an evening. I've got enough of this fabric to make our middle granddaughter a set and I know she'll love it, too........ I'm not too sure about their older brother liking his, though ..... LOL....... btw, I made Mikah matching shoes with squeakers in the toes. Thanks so much for all this fun! "

Here is the post that has the one she made for her 3 year old granddaughter.

Don't forget to comment on my previous post to help me celebrate 1 year with YCMT and a chance to win one of my patterns.

One Year Anniversary with YCMT and a Giveaway

This month I will celebrate one year since my first pattern - Annette Reversible Sundress - was released with YCMT. Now I have 7 patterns available on YCMT, soon to be 8, with the release of Sunny Wrap Dress. This has been such a great venture for me. I have gained knowledge, experience and many new internet friends.
Aimee from Sew Sensible recently posted about starting a home based business. I thought I would add to it by talking about how we got started. It all started with a group of ladies that met at my house regularly to sew. It was a combination of sewing class, sewing time and fellowship. We encouraged and inspired each other. We occasionally meet now, just not as regularly as we used to.

From these "sewing nights", the epattern business for both Sew Sensible and Nanoo Designs was started. Aimee found YCMT website and told me about it. At first, we would send each other copies of the patterns and instructions to get each other’s critiques and opinions as well as encouragement. Now that we have a format established, we use our customers to test the patterns but still encourage each other. Aimee is a stay at home mom of eight children and leader of an Adoption ministry at Healing Place Church and I work full time as an Accounting Manager. My three children are adults – two daughters 29 and 25 years old and a son who is 22 years old. Many years ago I owned and operated a children’s clothing store and co-owened and operated a plant nursery. I have been sewing for 30+ years and have always loved making and designing children’s clothing. Through the years I have sold some sewn items but since starting the epattern business, I mainly sew to give as gifts and to test my patterns.

Sites like Etsy and YCMT have provided me with an opportunity to start this business without having to deal with setting up a website and other computer stuff that I'm not very knowledgeble about. There may be a website in the future, but for now I'm content with Etsy and YCMT. Besides providing extra income, which is always great, especially with the rising costs of everything, there are so many other blessings this business has provided me with. It satisfies my creative side– not only the pattern making, but picture taking, designing the cover and writing the instructions. To be able to purchase the pattern and have it sent via email or downloaded in very little time is such a great way to reach the world. I have corresponded with customers from many states in the US as well as many other countries. One of the best parts is seeing what customers create from the patterns. Their own unique choices and added touches are an inspiration. Seeing something that started with an idea become an outfit is awesome. Since the patterns are easy and fun to make, it is exciting to see beginning sewers making clothing for their children. I am so grateful and humbled for this blessing and can't wait to see what the future holds.

I've recently changed my copyright policy to allow for selling of items made from my patterns by independent seamstresses to give someone else an opportunity to start a home based business.

If you already have a Nanoo Designs pattern, I would love to see pictures of what you create with them and feature them on my blog. If you have any questions about my patterns, business or would like to send me pictures of what you made with my patterns, email me at: nanoo1125@hotmail.com.

PATTERN GIVEAWAY

To celebrate one year, I will give a Nanoo Designs pattern of your choice to 3 people who comment on this post. Just make sure you tell me which pattern you want and an email address to contact you and send the pdf file. The giveaway will end on Friday July 18th.

UPDATE:

The Sunny Pattern is now available on YCMT

Show off your projects and inspire others. Post pictures of what you make on the "I Made This" Section of YCMT.

Changed Copyright Policy

I've gotten a couple of emails from customers asking if they can make some of my patterns to sell. If you would like to make them for your own profit or for selling for charities, feel free to do so. I have changed my copyright policy to include the permission to sell items made from my patterns by independent seamstresses. See below.


Copyright: The pattern and information in this eBook are for personal, at-home use only. Please do not share or distribute any portion of this eBook with others. Any reproduction of this book, instructions, photos, and/or any of its contents in any form is strictly prohibited and protected by U.S. and International Copyright laws. Individual garments made using this pattern may be sold by independent seamstresses. Not for mass production.

Karen Capri Pants & Halter Top Pattern and 3 Pattern Bundle Pack

The Karen Capri Pants and Halter Top Pattern is complete and now available in my Etsy shop. I am so blessed to have many friends with precious little girls that I can use for my models. The green set is a size 1 and the floral yellow is a size 3.

I also listed a 3 Pattern Bundle Pack that includes the 3 clothing patterns I have - Annette Reversible Sundress (Sizes 1/2 through 5), Tana Tutu Dress (Sizes 1 -4 ) and Karen Capri Pants and Halter Top (Sizes 1-4) at a savings of 30%.

Spring is approaching fast and with these 3 patterns, you could make an entire wardrobe for the Spring & Summer or a special Easter outfit. All three patterns are easy to make even for the beginner. I also include my email address for any questions.

New Sew Sensible Website & Nanoo Designs Tutu Pattern/Bundle Packs and New Pattern Preview

My friend Aimee recently set up her own website for her epatterns. She has great easy to make patterns for little girls. Check out the new website and sign her guestbook. My Tana Tutu Pattern and some new bundle packs should be available on YCMT soon. The Tutu Dress is fun to make and wear and purchased in a bundle pack, saves 20%.

I've been working on a new pattern - Karen Capri Pants with Halter Top.

Here is a preview of what it looks like. I'm still working on a few adjustments but hope to get it to testing soon.

Tutu Dress Pattern

It's been a busy day. We had an APIL (Ascension Parish Inclusion League) event this morning which included bowling and crafts. The children had a great time. Many of the regulars returned as well as some new faces. At our next event, on January 26th, we will have a Mardi Gras parade. We're planning to decorate wagons, wheel chairs, wear costumes, throw beads and eat King Cake. It should be great fun. After the APIL event, I came home and finalized my Tana Tutu Dress Pattern. Little girls love dressing up and the tulle ruffle adds that extra girly touch to the dress. My models had fun wearing the dresses and allowing me to take pictures. Thanks Aimee for letting me borrow your beautiful little girls and helping with the cover. I should be able to submit it for testing in the next couple of days.

To top off the day, I cooked some beef stew. I guess all the activity worked up an appetite.