David Tester Picture

Here are some pictures from one of the testers for the David Pattern. I love the camo. Thanks LA for testing the pattern and sending me these great pictures.

New Pattern Coming Soon - David

After many requests for a pattern for boys, I am happy to say that my new pattern, "David", will be available soon. I'm hoping to finish the instructions and finalize the first draft this weekend to send out for testing.

Here is a sneek peek of what it will look like. It will be sizes 6 months, 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Betsey/Joey Shorts Customer Creation

Look how adorable this little boy is in his new "monkey" outfit. His mom has been busy making him shorts from the Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern. Monkeys and pirates - What could be better for a little boy.

Thanks C for sending these pictures. It is always exciting for me to open an email with pictures of what moms, aunts and grandmas make with Nanoo Designs patterns.

You Can Make This is having a giveaway to celebrate 3 years of business. Here is the information.

Leave a comment, birthday wish, or a little about your experience and you could win!
THREE people will win a $30 Gift Certificate to http://www.youcanmakethis.com/THREE people will win a SURPRISE BUNDLE of eBooks.ONE person will win a $100 Gift Certificate to http://www.youcanmakethis.com/.

Fabric for New Pattern

Here is some of the fabric I purchased to test the new boy pattern I am working on. There is not as many choices for boys but I thought these would work nicely.

My intentions were to try a draft this weekend but I spent all day Saturday getting stuff for my back yard. The beds have been retilled and soil added. Now we just have the planting and mulching left to do. I'll put some before and after pictures when it's done.

I received the tester pictures from JoAnn and will be posting them soon. I still have the cover and a few revisions but hopefully will have it ready soon.

Pillow Pals - New Pattern Now Available

Pillow Pals is now available in my Etsy Shop.

Pillow Pals are easy to make, fun and functional epattern. Make it a family project and have the children help pick out the fabric and help with the stuffing. They are great for nap time, sleepovers and road trips and well as a great gift idea. The pattern includes instructions for both a small and large style with different face designs for boy and girl versions.
Here are my tester pictures and her comments about the pattern.

"This is so cute and I want to make some for the kids b/c I think the small size will be perfect for car trips! They are always falling asleep with their heads all katty-wampus (is that a Lancaster county dutch term? LOL) and I think this will be much more fun than using blankets or coats!
The pattern was easy to follow, as usual and the pictures were great!"

I loved the picture in the bushes so much I retook my cover pictures and included one with the greenery.

Thanks Leigh Ann for testing and sending these great photos.

New Pattern - Pillow Pals

This is the first try of my new pattern called Pillow Pals. I made the girl version but plan to make a boy version also. This is an easy and fun pattern to get the kids involved with. They can help design the face and help with the stuffing. Its fun and functional and a great gift idea. I have a few adjustments to make, then I'll start on the instructions. I hope to have it available in a couple of weeks.

Birthday Gift for a 1 year old boy

My daughter ordered a book from shutterfly for Cooper's 1 year birthday. You upload a picture and some basic information and they create a book. The child's picture and name are placed on every page and some basic information. It is very cute and comes in different styles. She got the alphabet book, but there is also a Dora the Explorer & Sesame Street book available.


She wanted something to put the book in so I made this bag. He can later use it to carry his "stuff" around.
This was some fabric I had in my stash that I purchased almost a year ago at a huge home decor fabric store sale. I really liked the fabric and have been waiting for an opportunity to use it in a project.


I don't have an embroidery machine (although it is on my "I Want" list), so I used printable fabric for his name and appliqued it on the front for a personal touch.

Betsey/Joey Shorts - Customer Creation

Look at this handsome young man in his new customer creation made from Betsey/Joey Reversible Shorts pattern with an added applique from a pattern on You Can Make This.

Here is what she said:
I loved your shorts pattern. Again, wonderful instructions. I also followed the link on your blog to youcanmakethis.com and got the whale applique

She added a small pocket to the shorts back to better distinguish the front from the back and a wave applique on the back of the tshirt. He's just as cute coming or going.

Here is the reversed side. What a great color combination.

Thanks for sending these great pictures.

Another Customer Creation using Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern

Just got these great pictures from a customer. These are from the Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern that is reversible or non reversible. Thanks L for the great pictures. Love the strawberry and football prints.

Here is what she said:
We are just having so much fun with these shorts! :-) Thanks so much!!

More Shorts from Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern

These are some shorts I made for my friends two boys from the Betsey/Joey shorts pattern. I made each of them two pairs of shorts - one of the fish print and one plaid. All are reversible.

All four only took a couple of hours to sew together. The pattern is very easy and the kind of pattern you end up using over and over.

Betsey/Joey Shorts - Customer Creation

These pictures of shorts made from the Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern from a customer who purchased the 4 pattern bundle pack. It is exciting for me to see that my patterns are being used by sewers from all over the world. This customer lives in a country called Oman. Admitting my lack of geography or countries of the world, I didn't know Oman was a country or where it was located. I looked on the internet and found out it is a country in the Middle East. How awesome to connect with people from all over through sewing as well as provide me with a lesson in World Geography as an extra bonus.

Here is what she said.
"I just wanted to drop you a quick email to say thank you for your lovely patterns. I was keen to get some shorts made and that night I made one for my 8mth old son and then this past weekend I have finished a pair of reversible shorts for my “almost” 5 (everyday counts when you are “almost” 5 you know LOL). I am attaching some pics for you.

I would have loved to have taken some outside but already the summer is here and it was too hot to go out and play, sorry. I love your blog too! I think for my bub I will make the bigger size as he wears cloth nappies and I find them a bit low on the back but it is nice to have a pattern that is so flexible. I can see that there will many shorts made as gifts this year. I took the “handmade pledge” for this year so I am always on the look out for some great ideas. "






I love the combination of fabrics - map print and pirates.

She embroidered a top with a pirate to match the shorts. How cute is this outfit.

Thank you to my customer for sending me these pictures.

Betsey Joey Reversible/Non Reversible Shorts Pattern

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

Betsey/Joey Shorts Pattern is for boys and girls and has many options. Included are instructions for a non reversible and reversible style in three lengths plus options for ribbon ties, side stripes, ruffles or trim. Included with the instructions for this easy to make pattern are lots of pictures of completed styles to help stir your creativity.

There are 29 pages of instructions and over 100 pictures illustrating each sewing step and pictures of completed shorts in the different styles. Sizes are 1, 2, 3 and 4.

My friend, Aimee, designed the covers. Along with her design talents she also makes patterns under Sew Sensible and is the mother of eight beautiful children. Talk about multi tasking. Thanks Aimee for your help.

Here are some of the bundle packs also available on Etsy.

New Pattern for Boys & Girls

NEW PATTERN - COMING SOON!

I'm working on a new pattern that will be called Betsey/Joey and will be for boys or girls sizes 1 through 4. This one will have a reversible option, different lengths and instructions and ideas to change the look. It will be a pattern that can be used over and over and combined with other patterns for new and different looks. I'm still in the testing stage and getting the details worked out. I've had to make several to find the best and easiest way to sew it together plus I want to have lots of pictures of the different options available.

That's all I'm saying for now but will be posting updates as it progresses. I'm looking forward to offering this pattern and hope I can get it out in the next few weeks.


You may have noticed that I name my patterns and each one so far is named for someone special to me. Here is a little about the inspiration for the names.

Annette Reversible Sundress Pattern -
This was my very first epattern. There was lots of trial and error, corrections and revisions but finally finished product was completed and submitted. The Annette pattern is named after my identical twin sister, Annette, who died 10 years ago. She also enjoyed sewing and other crafty things and I know if she were still alive, we would probably doing these patterns together. I wanted to do something special to honor her. Even though it has been 10 years, she is still missed greatly.

My Twin Sister, Annette and I as Toddlers

Tana Tutu Dress -

Tana was named after my oldest daughter. Her name comes from my grandmother, Antonia Fontana. To the grandchildren, she was known as Momo Tana. Tana was a prissy little girl so I thought naming the tutu dress for her was fitting.

Momo Tana

Karen Capri Pants and Halter Top -

Karen is named after my twin sister's daughter. Karen and Tana were born 6 weeks apart but have very different personalities.

Karen & Tana

Betsey/Joey

This new pattern is named after my two younger children. Betsey is a coach and loves sports and since the pattern will be for boys also, I decided to use both their names.

Betsey

Joey In the future, I will have a pattern named Emily, my twin sister's other daughter. After that, I'll see what names and people inspire me for future patterns.

Emily