Article in the local paper

I am very excited to announce that my business made the local Baton Rouge Morning Advocate newspaper today. The artible was about web business in Ascension Parish. This is the picture that went along with it. Although I was a little uncomfortable being on the other side of the camera, it was fun.

Global Connections

Since I created my blog and started the pattern business, I have connected with so many people from all over the world. I love hearing about different people and cultures, from what there day to day life is like to what the weather is like. It's awesome that something as simple as sewing can bring people together.


It has been such a blessing to make new "internet friends" all over the world and see what they create with the patterns. The choices of fabrics and the creative changes made are an inspiration.


I looked back through my Etsy sales and here is a list of states and countries that customers live. I don't get the customers state or country from the YCMT and All Brands Sales but the Etsy sales shows what a variety of places that customers purchase from.


Alabama
Arizona
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New York
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington


Australia
Canada
Denmark
Germany
Israel
Italy
Malaysia
Oman
Portugal
Switzerland
United Kingdom

JoAnn Pattern

The JoAnn Pattern is complete and available in my Etsy shop. This pattern is so easy and can be done in a short time. I included two options for the front. One has two buttons at the top with snaps or velcro to keep the front closed. The other option is button down the front. I suggested the larger buttons for the button down option. I really liked the way they looked.

These are some dresses I made during the testing phase. This is a size 4. The fabric was purchased the All Brands Baton Rouge Store. This is the Size 2. This fabric was also purchased at All Brands in Baton Rouge. This is Michael Miller fabric. All Brands has added some other designer fabrics to their line up. I wanted to try something in a bright, bold print and was pleased with the way it turned out.
This is the size 1 and this fabric was from my stash. I try to use some of what I have but can't help but buy more. I know many of you who sew can relate. We tend to "collect" fabric. I thought this print would be cute for a young child. The pattern is tiny butterflies and the lining is pink/white gingham.

Two New Patterns I'm Working On

My two new patterns are a top and pants. This is my first test outfit. The band on the top makes 3 pockets. I put something in the middle one to show it better. I have a few minor changes to make to the top but am rethinking the pants. I wanted a more tailored look, so will trim the width of the legs. The pants have a waistband and instead of gathers, I am going to test a pleat or two in the front instead. Hopefully I can make the another test outfit and finalize the design this week.

YCMT/SWAK Thanksgiving Collaboration

Here are some pictures of the Sunny Wrap Dress I made to use in the YCMT/SWAK Thanksgiving Collaboration. I made the dress and mailed it to someone to take pictures in the model they selected. I didn't put any information with the dress and when the pictures came out, I realized the dress was on backwards. I was a little upset about it at first but then realized that it made the dress even that much more versatile. Not only can you reverse it inside out, you can reverse it backwards and frontwards. I did design it so that the wrap is in the back so I can't guarantee it will fit the same with the wrap in the front but if you have the pattern, check it out and let me know what you think

Sunny Dress For Sale at KB Creative

I recently discovered an Etsy Shop that is selling dresses made from the Sunny Wrap Dress Pattern she purchased from YCMT. She sells a variety of items for children and takes some custom orders for the Sunny Dress as well as having a few in a variety of sizes. Her home is in British Columbia and is a mother of three children, the oldest just started kindergarten and the youngest only 1 1/2.

Here is what she said about the Sunny Pattern: "I love it! I got so many compliments on the dresses I made my own daughters that I added some extras to my Etsy."

She allowed me to feature her on my blog and has even added my name to her listings as the pattern designer. Here are some of the wrap dresses she is selling in her Etsy shop. Click on the pictures to take you the the Esty listing.

Thanks KB for allowing me to feature your shop. I hope you are blessed with great success in your business and a bright future for you and your family.

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.

Karen Capri Set Now Available on YouCanMakeThis.com

My newest pattern - Karen Capri Pants and Halter Top is now available on YouCanMakeThis.com. Also available are the two dress bundle pack and the 3 outfit bundle pack. All of these are also available in my Etsy shop. All of these outfits are easy to make and would be a great addition to any little girl's summer wardrobe.

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 Sewing Projects

The weather has been dreary this past week, lots of rain and cold for the South. Temperatures down to freezing a couple of nights. I've been kind of in a slump, not sewing much or blogging. Tonight I got a spurt of energy and cut out four dresses to sew and put in my Etsy shop. Here is a preview. Also, Friday night I am having a craft/sewing night at my house and needed a project to work on. I'm looking forward to seeing my sewing buddies. They are always a source of motivation and inspiration.

Christmas Decorations & New Sewing Projects

I'm very excited about Christmas. As you can see here, we have lots of gifts under the tree waiting to be opened. This weekend I will be preparing the food for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve I make a big pot of seafood gumbo, potato salad and baked ham for family and friends. It's a great time to visit and enjoy each other's company.


Because I have been sewing Christmas gifts, my Etsy shop hasn't had many new items listed. I did manage to make a couple of sets of "Mommy and Me" bags this past week that I recently posted. This turquoise and brown fabric has been one of the more popular ones for me this year.


I also purchased more fabric to be used after the holidays. I'll be making more totes but also have some new ideas for little girl dresses I want to try.

Busy Week

The past few days have been very busy. Saturday, my daughter Betsey, graduated from college. After attending the graduation ceremony, we had a family get together at my house. Here are a couple of pictures, one of Betsey with her 92 year old grandmother at the family party and Betsey and Sunny before the graduation ceremony. I am so very proud of Betsey and her accomplishments.





After that, I attended my work Christmas Party. Sunday I finished up my Christmas shopping and Monday attended the jewelry show with my niece. To top off the day, I bought a set of dishes for my home at Tanger Outlet. Evidently, all of the Mikasa stores in the US are closing as of December 31st and everything in the store is 40% off on top of the already discounted outlet price. It was a great deal. Here is what they look like.




I've been trying to do a little sewing also. After the holidays, I plan to start sewing for my Etsy shop and a possible booth in the Spring. I've been buying some very cute fabric that I want to make some Annette Reversible Sundresses out of and some totes. Some of the totes have already been given as gifts and I've sold a couple more as a result of the gift. I plan to make a line of "Mommy and Me" totes that will include a large one for the mom and a smaller replica for the daughter. Here is a preview of one set I finished last night.

Christmas Stocking - Zebra Print

This is the latest Christmas Stocking I've made. It's made of a velvety zebra print fabric. The cuff is fleece and I lined it in red broadcloth with a black chenille loop for hanging.

More Stockings

I am having so much fun making these stockings. Here are a few more I've done. Some will be sold in my Etsy shop and some are for gifts.

This one is great for those LSU Tiger fans. I think these will be a big hit. I've sold one and am considering making a couple for those on my Christmas list.

I went through my fabric stash and came up with this combination.

This one matches a little girl's dress I made and have for sale on Etsy.

This one was made from an old chenille bedspread that someone gave me. The trim also came from the bedspread. This one is sold but I am going to try to make another from the same bedspread. I really like the idea of recycling old things into something new.

Another chenille but this one was new fabric with the poodle chenille cuff.
This one is black corduroy. The picture isn't very good but there are large red bells hanging from the cuff.

I had enough fabric to make 3 of these. The red fabric is what I used to cover the seats of my dining chairs and the stripe fabric is what I used for curtains. I decided to keep one of each for my mantel and have one to sell or give as a gift.

I love ladybugs and I thought the lime green looked good against the red.

This one has beads and sequins on the fabric and is a linen blend fabric with the poodle chenille cuff.

My Latest Stocking

Since my specialty is girl stuff, I thought it was time to do something more masculine. This latest stocking is made of soft brown pinwale corduroy lined with a thin camo fabric. The cuff is fleece. I made this one for a precious little boy named Couper but will probably make another one to put on my Etsy shop soon.

Christmas Stocking

I've taken a detour from making clothing and am making Christmas Stockings for my Etsy Shop. I'm also putting together an ebook on how to make them for the You Can Make This website. Here is a sneak preview.

I'm looking forward to making these. I have alot of ideas I want to try so keep checking my blog for new pictures.

Stay tuned - I'm thinking about a Christmas Giveaway in the near future.

Also, check out this link, I'm a featured author on the You Can Make This website.

Corduoroy Jumper

This jumper was made from the Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern but instead of loops and a ribbon tie, I made straps. I put buttons on both sides of the straps so it could be reversed. Since the front and back are the same, the button straps can be used in either direction. I added two buttons on each strap to accommodate growth.One side is a soft pinwale pink corduroy and the other is a pink and brown coordinating cotton check.

I made a removable fabric flower for each side.

This would really cute with a brown blouse or turtleneck underneath and some matching leggings for Fall. This is one of the dresses I have listed in my Etsy shop.