Home › Archive for Sewing

Sewing

the Modern Prairie Girl – PDF patterns!!!!

Modern Prairie Girl, the PDF Patterns

 

Modern Prairie Girl, the PDF Patterns

Howdy everyone!

I just wanted to stop by here at the marie-madeline blog and share with you that I’ve designed and am now selling 2 new PDF patterns!!  I’m so excited with how they’ve turned out and I’d love to hear what you all think about them too!

The above pattern, Sophie Bags Crossbody & Clutch, is one of my favorite bag patterns. The crossbody is sturdy and perfect for long days, while still boasting of something pretty like the gathered eye-catching panel on the front of the bag. The clutch is one of my go-to bags. Not just because it is pretty, but because carrying it feels pretty!

Here are so more pictures of the Sophie bags!

The Sophie Bags

The Sophie BagsThe Sophie BagsThe Sophie BagsThe Sophie BagsThe Sophie Bags

 

 

The Reflections Quilt pattern is a quick and fun make for anyone that loves quilting (or at least wants to give it a try!). The pattern includes three sizes: twin, full/queen & king. So everyone can have one.

Reflections QuiltReflections QuiltReflections Quilt

 

 

 

Read more and see more about my patterns over at my blog, the Modern Prairie Girl.

Reflections Quilt

Sophie Bags Crossbody & Clutch

Check out my Etsy shop, the Modern Prairie Girl!!!!

Thanks for letting me stop by and chat a spell. It’s been fun!

happy sewing, Abi

To The Max.

IMG_2555

IMG_2519

IMG_2516

IMG_2527

IMG_2547

IMG_2549

I.am.scared.of.sewing.with.knits.

There.  I said it. 

My Mom has sewn with knits for years, and has always loved them.  When I was a girl Mom made me some darling dresses with knits.  I love the way knit feels, and I love wearing knit-y things.  But, I've always been a little hesitant sewing with them. 

I have made myself a few knit garments, and usually they end up on the side of a-pain-to-sew-with and I-don't-wear-it-long-before-I-get-rid-of-it-because-it-looks-homemade.  I hope someone out there understands.  I'm not a perfectionist for the most part, but I hate it when I sew up a garment and it looks like I sewed it.  Cringe.

Well, the time rolls around again when I voice to Mom how much I would love to have a maxi knit skirt that is cute and comfortable and I sewed it.  And, of course, Anna Maria Horner having just come out with new knits gave the perfect excuse to try ONE more time and get over my fear of sewing with knits. 

People, I'm here to tell you….. I DID IT!!!

That's right!  All those pictures above are photographic evidence.  I purchased a piece of Anna's knits from some of our favorite fabric folks (hi, Quilt Home!), and made myself a skirt.  In fact, I made it in about 1 – 1 1/2 hours one evening.  So I could wear it to Church the next day, of course.  And, I love it. Yay!!!!

This knit is a dream to sew with.  Most of the other knits I've worked with want to catch and slide around, then catch some more.  Then, when you put it on it wants to grab you and cling in all the places you are telling it not to.  Not this knit!  I also just used my regular machine with a stretch knit stitch (because sergers kind of scare me to death).  No problem-o.

So, I guess this means I'm officially a sewing with knit survivor and advocate, right?  I know (because My Mom has told me this for years…) that not all knits are created equal.  So, if you're like me and have sewn with knits and had bad results, pick another knit and try again.  You can conquer!  And, while I'm at it, may I recommend the knits that I used?

Did I mention it's as comfortable as pjs?

If you have any knit experiences (bad or good) do share them!

xoxo Achaia

Modern Prairie Sewing Blog Hop!!

IMG_2034
Book
WOOHOO!!! Hooray for Abi's blog hop! Abi was SO sweet to ask me to do a project for her blog hop…especially since I'm not the world's greatest seamstress. Shame on me, I know. Of course, I can sew, but all of my sisters are a whole lot better at it than me. Anyway, this is seriously THE GREATEST book (and I'm not biased!!!). Abi did an amazing job, and every project is so beautiful. Another reason I adore this book is the photography…I was so blessed to get to be behind the scenes, and watch an amazing photographer work.  YOU REALLY NEED YOUR OWN COPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMG_2027
For my project, I decided to do the It's A Cinch Belt. I used an Anna Maria Drawing Room Home Dec for the main belt, and Amy Butler Hapi in cotton for the contrasting side and ties. It was SO easy, and I had it whipped up in no time flat. All of the instructions are very clear, and with illustrations if you're a visual kind of girl (like me). I am so happy with the way it turned out, and even more thrilled that Abi was so tickled!

IMG_2035
IMG_2031
Oh, and don't forget that Abi is giving away two copies of her book along with two made projects from the book. Go check her blog for the giveaways going on August 29th through 31st!!!

Now, check out all these awesome seamstresses blogs, and see the cute things they made from the book!!

Jenny Fish!August 20th

Pam Kitty Morning! August 21st

Jona G! August 22nd

Melissa P! August  23rd

SewCaroline! August 25th

Melissa S! August   26th

April Rhodes! August 27th

Abiah! August   28th
 
 
 
xoxo, Abiah

Modern Prairie Sewing now available!!

  Book

It's true, it's finally here!!!  Abigail's book, Modern Prairie Sewing, is now available for purchase!  Here are some places where you can get your book fix….

Amazon (By the way, Abi has three 5-star reviews on Amazon!  She about died.)

Barnes & Noble

C & T Publishing

And, if you'd like to carry Abi's book in your shop check out your wholesalers (this is the only one we know of so far that is carrying it, but be sure to ask!)….

Checker Distributors

 

Of course, if you are a NOOK fan, you can get it that way too!

We are so proud of our girl!  She really has done a fantastic job on this beauty.  (And we definitely aren't saying this because we got to land on the cover.)

Enjoy your day!

xox

New items in Boutique + Bundle sale coming!

IMG_1218

IMG_1232

IMG_1193

We have exciting news for those of you who are looking for some darling little girls clothes!!  We have just filled up the boutique section on our website with some brand new goodies, most of them made with the wildly popular Jennifer Paganelli Circa and Lucky Girl fabrics.  You last saw them in our Quilt Market post last October.  Let me tell you, these were hard to part with…

Also, we are getting together another bundle sale, and hope to have it up this week so keep your eyes peeled!  You'll find it right here on the blog!

Back again soon….

xxx

Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You and Your Friends

Book

Hi all! Wow!  I can hardly believe it. I really can't. It's been a long few years getting this dream together, and it's been so exciting for me to see it all come together!  SO!  I'm super happy to tell you that I wrote a sewing book – and it's coming OUT to all of YOU this July!!!!  This book is full of fabulously fun and fresh projects that'll be able to be used by everyone!!

Memory_quilt

This really easy-for-beginner quilt is found in Modern Prairie Sewing! (Who else loves that beautiful red hair?!)

Turnabout_blouse

My gorgeous sisters, Apphia & Achaia, show off the Turnabout Blouse. One of the 20 projects you'll find in Modern Prairie Sewing!

These are only a couple sneak peeks!  I'm so excited and can't wait for all of you to have your own copy and show me what all you sew up!!! You can read more about Modern Prairie Sewing over at my blog, The Modern Prairie Girl. 

Let's start sewing!

xoAbi

Hello, May.

Beauty Queen

Packages

Pretty Potent

May has us happy for warmer weather!  Spring here in MO is crazy.  We were just talking about it the other day when we were driving to Church.  It starts warming up and flowers start blooming.   Then it gets freezing cold again (we aren't exaggerating either.  Seriously, during the last cold snap we were wearing fleece again.  Ugh.) and all the flowers die.  Finally, it gets warm to stay.  We think it's here now… yay!

We girls went and spent the weekend (most of the day Sunday, Sunday night, and Monday morning) with Joe.  As usual, we had lots of fun, and got to spend Sunday with some friends of his.  We sat in their front yard eating hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill and popsicles, and playing Signs.  Then after Joe left for school Monday morning we cleaned his house, did his laundry, and ate pizza.  It really turned out to be a perfect, relaxing weekend.  We needed one of those. 

Today has been busy, busy!  So busy that we opted for peanut butter and jelly for dinner.  As you might guess from the pictures above, we got two brand new collections in yesterday!  Meet Beauty Queen by Jennifer Paganelli and Pretty Potent by Anna Maria Horner!  We are loving these and can't wait to sew up something cute with them.

We're still filling orders from the Bundle Event, and now have a STACK of custom orders to get sewing on.  We are working on them and will get them to everyone as soon as we can!

How has your May been so far??? xo

Seams Unlikely Blog Tour!!

Seamsunlikely

Everyone in the sewing industry has heard of Nancy Zieman, right?  Of course.  Maybe you've seen her on TV, ordered from her website, or perhaps just seen her picture. Nancy Zieman just released her autobiography, Seams Unlikely.  And, she's hosting a blog tour to celebrate!

All five of us read the book from cover to cover in a matter of days.  We couldn't put it down!  We all wanted to take a moment to give you a glimpse into what we came away with….

Kristie says-

I just LOVED Nancy’s book about her life. I think that even more than her business side, I enjoyed getting to know the little girl Nancy and the young lady Nancy. Even though some of my daughters have met Nancy I have not had that pleasure, but I did feel like I “met” her while reading this book.
 
Most of all I loved how Nancy weaves her faith and family into every part of her business and her life. The love she has for her family is just wonderful! You just have to read Seams Unlikely…especially the part about “Gotcha” Day!!
 
Apphia says-
 
All I can say is… I LOVED Nancy’s book!! I couldn’t bring myself to put it down, as a matter of fact. Reading about Nancy’s life was so inspiring. Seams Unlikely is an all-around great book. I laughed, I cried, and I now have a nice number of lines from Nancy that I like to insert into everyday conversation with my sisters! What stuck out most to me about Nancy was Nancy herself. She is a woman with remarkable abilities, strong faith in God, and true humbleness. She is just the kind of person you want to have as a friend. Reading about her struggles with health issues, balancing family and business, and staying true to herself was really an encouragement to me. As soon as I finished Nancy’s book, I mailed it to my best sewing friend so she could enjoy it too! (And she read it as fast as I did!)
 
Achaia says-
 
We were happy to hear about Nancy Zieman’s autobiography, and were even more excited at the opportunity to get a copy. But, really, I was blown away by it as soon as I started reading…. I couldn’t put the thing down. I loved reading about Nancy’s trials and triumphs, because they are such a part of our lives. It made Nancy all the more real to me. Not just as a fabulous, incredibly talented sewing icon, but also as a normal person who has had a normal life in so many ways. There were so many times I just wanted to jump into the pages and hug her! Mom and us girls talked and talked about what we’d been reading (there was a scream of “don’t tell me!” if someone talked about a part someone else hadn’t gotten to yet…), and decided that every sewist we know needs a copy!
 
Abigail says-
 
What a fascinating read! I couldn’t put it down. I laughed, I cried, I felt like a close friend. What an inspiring story about a lady who puts God and family first, and knows how to work hard. At the end, I loved Nancy more. Not just for her fabulous business of notions and more that I’ve been able to enjoy, but for who she is as a person. You have to read it too!  She's beautiful inside and out!
 
Abiah says-
 
What an awesome book! My sisters couldn’t believe how I carried it around with me wherever I went! Anytime I had a few spare minutes, I’d pick it up to read a few more lines. What an amazing lady! Nancy really came alive for me in the pages of this, her autobiography. I’ve heard of her for years, and even seen her picture, but I never really knew her. Reading about her life was truly inspirational to me. She’s had so many struggles, yet trusted in God to bring her through. Nancy is sweet, kind, humble, and so funny, too!! I can’t imagine not being inspired by her life story…not just for a seamstress, but for anyone.
 
 
Nancy (she has officially just become "Nancy" after reading her book!) has some peeks into why she wrote Seams Unlikely on her blog (plus, some adorable pictures!).  And, be sure to stop by all the other wonderful blogs that are joining in the tour!
 

February 5 Eileen Roche http://dzgns.com/blog/

February 5 Pat Sloan http://patsloan.typepad.com/

February 6 Melissa Stramel http://melissaslilaclane.blogspot.com

February 6 The Long Ladies http://www.mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/

February 6 Tori Thompson http://totallystitchin.net

February 7 Amy Barickman http://www.indygojunction.com/blog/

February 7 Melissa Mora http://mellysews.com

February 8 Shari Butler http://www.doohikeydesignstudio.com/blog/

February 8 Vicki Christensen http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/

February 9 Carolina Moore http://alwaysexpectmoore.com

February 9 Kate Mclvor https://theconfidentstitch.squarespace.com

February 10 Amy Ellis http://amyscreativeside.com/

February 10 Melissa Mortenson http://www.polkadotchair.com

February 11 Ilene Miller http://happyvalleyprimitives.blogspot.com/

February 11 Liz Hicks http://blogerisms.blogspot.com/

February 11 Rachael Pannepacker http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

February 12 Bill Gardner http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/blogs/insideqn/

February 12 Elizabeth Evans http://www.simplesimonandco.com

February 13 Amy Webb http://www.amylouwhosews.com/

February 13 Lindsay Wilkes http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com

February 14 Gertie Hirsch http://www.blogforbettersewing.com

February 14 Veronica Philips http://cloverusa.wordpress.com/

February 15 Jenny Gabriel http://www.sewvacoutletblog.com

February 15 Laura Wasilowski http://artfabrik.com

February 16 Frieda Anderson http://www.friestyle.com

February 16 Rita Farro http://ritassewfun.blogspot.com

February 17 Cindy Cloward http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/blog/

February 17 Joan Hawley http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/

February 17 Patty Young http://modkidboutique.blogspot.com

February 18 Nancy Zieman http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/

 
You all want a copy, right??!  Well, we are happy to announce that we have one copy to give away here at marie-madeline!  Just leave us a comment on this post and you'll be entered!  Be sure to go over to Nancy's blog and comment for more winning opportunities (they are giving away 20 books total!).  Of course, Seams Unlikely is also available for purchase on Nancy's website.
 
We want to leave off with a quote we just love from Nancy.  It reminds us of how WE should look at life's difficulties.
 
"Each of us faces challenges.  Some are larger than others.  But what happens to us does not define us, unless we let it." ~Nancy Zieman
 
 
 
We love you, Nancy, and are inspired by your story!
xox Kristie, Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, and Abiah
 

TEXAS.

Tx

We are planning to head off to Texas this week!!  We're so excited, since we have been trying to go see family and friends there since April.  Yes, it's been a craaaazzzy year.  Sigh. 

We had been thinking of when we could squeeze in this trip, and Mom & Dad decided yesterday that Sunday was THE day.  So, we've spent the day running around like nuts, throwing things into bags (along with hilariously trying on outfits.  That's always been a comedy show in our family….), and cooking.  And now someone (aka Abs) is sewing up a skirt for her to take.  Out of this new fabric line of course….

Dowry!

DOWRY!!

As you can imagine, we won't be sending out orders this week, but please feel free to shop away and we'll plan on shipping as soon as we get home.

Oh, and be sure and keep an eye on our Instagram feed!  You know we'll be posting there.

xoxoAchaia, etc.