Introducing: Just My Type
Spring 2013 Fabric Collection

This is going to be literally the quickest new fabric reveal I have ever done. I am leaving for Portland to attend the International Quilt Market at the crack of dawn tomorrow and I haven't even packed yet, so as soon as I hit publish on this baby I am running home to do just that.

A little about Just My Type: It is a vintage type-inspired collection designed with a retro color palette and printed with a faux linen texture, for the “look” of linen but the “feel” of quilting cotton.

The collection boasts 25 prints produced on premium quality quilting weight cotton.

This collection is so new that it's not even up on the Michael Miller website yet, but I thought I should let you guys know what I was showcasing this week, in case any of you are going to attend the show. Here is a breakdown of all the prints (I promise to expand on this more when I get back!)

How about some inspiration images, eh? We didn't get a chance to sew up too much because we've only had the fabric here for about 7 days. But we did manage to make a few cute dresses from our Spring 2013 pattern collection. Below, from left to right are: Grace, Bailey, Riley and Quinn.

Of course, a few pillows for the booth...

And some other booth décor items. :)

And another little surprise before I go... JUST MY TYPE PRECUTS! Yeah, baby!
(these are just prototypes but they should look a lot like this when they're done)

Would love to hear what you think of my new collection. At this time tomorrow I should hopefully be in Portland getting ready to start setting up my booth, so it would be nice to have some comments to read while I'm away. :)

Contest Winner!

Thank you all for your comments last week on my Scrap Lab post. Random.org chose comment #10 which is...

Mary on Lake Pulaski2:47 PM

I would love a copy of a magazine that has projects by you, Carrie and Julie!

Mary, please contact us at info (at) modkidboutique (dot) com with your mailing address and we'll get a copy of the latest Quilts and More magazine, featuring our Scarp Lab projects, in the mail to you.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

2013 Scrap Lab #1

Who doesn't like playing with scraps and seeing what awesome creation they can come up with? Last year I was honored to be asked to be a lead designer in a feature column called SCRAP LAB, in the magazine Quilts and More (a Better Homes and Gardens publication). For the next four issues of Quilts and More, I will be working closely with the amazing Carrie Nelson, of Miss Rosie's Quilts, and choosing a guest star each time to create fun projects using different scraps of fabric.

In the first installment of Scrap Lab, we chose to work with the awesome Julie Herman, of Jaybird Quilts, and my newest fabric collection, Textured Basics. I was thrilled to see the super cool projects those two designers came up with... and even more thrilled when I saw the cover featuring our pillow design in the top right corner!! Wooohooo!

The Summer 2013 issue of Quilts and More is available NOW in news stands and features adorable projects by Carrie, Julie and yours truly. You can even find Julie's table setting pattern for free online HERE!

If you would like to try your hand at sewing up one of our Scrap Lab projects, we are offering a FABRIC KIT, so you can make any of the projects featured in the magazine!

The Scrap Lab Kit includes:

• 1/2 yard of Natural Texture
• Fat Eighth of the 6 fabric prints shown from above Textured Basics

It sells for $15.00 including shipping within the US.
(Magazine not included)

Want to win a free copy of this magazine? Leave us a comment below and we will draw a winner this Friday, May 10th. Best of luck!!

HARPER Dress
Newest PDF downloadable pattern by MODKID

Harper has a slim fit and above-the-knee length for a very chic and modern look. It features suspender straps, bias tape binding and a couple of patch pockets for her little treasures. This easy-to-sew and easy-to-wear style will be a favorite of her Summer wardrobe. This pattern even comes with a tutorial for making your own bias tape!

SUGGESTED FABRICS: quilting cottons, shirtings, voiles, gauzes, lawns, linens and muslins, 44"/45" wide. We used a selection of fabrics from Textured Basics and Heaven & Helsinki by Patty Young for Michael Miller Fabrics.

This pattern comes in sizes 2T (toddler) to 10 (girls).






NOTE: This is a downloadable PDF pattern, NOT A PAPER PATTERN. Your pattern can be opened with Acrobat Reader and will print on standard letter-size paper (8.5" x 11"). There are 8 pages total in this document, including full-size pattern pieces.

A million thanks to my pattern tester, Elizabeth Shepherd, for the wonderful test sample, pattern feedback and photo above. Her adorable model, Brie, is wearing a Harper dress in size 2T, made with Cool Dots and Diamonds from Textured Basics.

A million thanks to my pattern tester, Andrea Thomas-Lambe (www.thomasparkgifts.com) for the wonderful test sample and pattern feedback. Above photos are courtesy of April Atkinson of M.A.S. Photography. Her adorable model, Isa, is wearing a Harper dress in size 4T made with City Block from Heaven & Helsinki and Cool Dots from Textured Basics.

A million thanks to my pattern tester, Carissa Haning (www.heartandseoulphotography.com), for the wonderful sewn sample and photo above. Her adorable model, Johanna, is wearing a Harper dress in size 6, made with Diamonds and Shoreline from Textured Basics.

Find the HARPER pattern here.

©2013 Patty Young Designs for MODKID, LLC®. All Rights Reserved. Do NOT reproduce without permission. Photography, illustrations and layout property of Patty Young.

Winners, a Flash SALE and New Product reveal!


Thank you all for your sweet comments on our newest PDF pattern, the Holly Jumper Dress. I read each and every one of the 96 comments that came in and was pleased to see how many of you already owned a MODKID pattern or a copy of my book and just were hesitant to try PDFs. There were also a few comments from folks who came from the PDF industry, but had never tried a MODKID pattern before. Regardless, there were so many great comments that we couldn't choose winners ourselves, so we left it up to chance. We used Random.org to choose 3 winners, and the results were:

Comment #32:

Kelly Smith3:28 PM

I love PDF patterns. I am horrible about losing my patterns, but I always make sure my PDFs are backed up in many places. I haven't tried any of your yet, but I love the Holly dress. This will be the first spring/summer that my girl has been walking so I can't wait to make her some cute dresses.

Comment #35:

Angela4:40 PM

I have some of your paper patterns, but haven't yet bought one of your PDF patterns. Holly is a gorgeous girl's dress and I would so love to,win it :-)

Comment #77:
Gorby family blog9:53 PM

I love that Holly goes up to a size 10. My oldest daughter doesn't get many handmades anymore since so many patterns stop at size 8. It's a beautiful dress and I'd love to make one for her!

Congrats to all the winners!! Please take a look at our PDF pattern offerings on our Etsy store, and email us your choice at info (at) modkidboutique (dot) com, so we can get it to you right away. 

Since so many of you commented that you had not yet tried one of our PDF patterns, we thought we'd make it a little easier on you and give you a 20% off code to use in the next 24 hours... use code TRYMODKID2 to receive 20% off you entire order on our Etsy store! This code is only valid on our Etsy store and is not valid on our website for paper patterns or books. It expires Friday, May 3rd at 12 noon CST.

While I have you all here, I also wanted to talk a little about what's been going on in the design front. As some of you might now, I am a licensed designer for Silhouette America, designing shapes to use on their Cameo machine, which die cuts on paper, vinyl, fabric and other surfaces. Well... true story: I had designer's block recently. It happens to the best of us, I've been told, haha. I didn't upload any new shapes to my Silhouette shop for about 2 weeks because I just couldn't come up with anything new to draw. I needed to draw something that just felt... well.. me. Do you know what I mean?

I dug deep and deeper and then I had an A-HA moment. I thought, why not go back to my roots and draw up my favorite things? What are my favorite things?? Well, I seem to have an almost unhealthy obsession with mid-century modern chairs. I own a couple at home and drool every time I see one at a local auction house. So, I drew up some shapes based on my favorite mod chairs...

Then, I looked around my house and found my other obsession... vintage cameras! I own probably 2 or 3 dozen of these beauties and they are sprinkled all over my house and studio. I just adore looking at them...

Finally, I thought, why stop there? Let's draw everything retro and vintage! haha

Anyway, you can find my new retro and vintage shapes, along with the rest of my Silhouette Shape Collection, HERE.

Wondering what's going on in the fabric front? Well, we are busy getting ready for the International Quilt Market, which this Spring happens to take place in one of my favorite cities in the whole wide world, Portland, OR! This is a special Market for me because I feel I've come full circle. The first Market I ever attended, 5 years ago, was in Portland, and here I am, 5 years later and 12 fabric collections in. I am not ready to completely show you my new fabric collection, but how about a little sneak peek? OK...

That's it. Not giving any more hints! Stay tuned for a full reveal... soon! :)

HOLLY JUMPER DRESS
MODKID's Newest PDF Sewing Pattern

Well, as you have probably noticed already, we are really embracing the PDF revolution! We started producing these downloadable e-patterns in November of last year, and so far we have 6 already produced with a few more on the way.  So far we are hearing wonderful things about them, but we'd love to hear more. Leave us a comment for your chance to win a free PDF pattern of your choice!

Today, we are thrilled to announce the newest addition to our e-pattern line up. It's called the HOLLY JUMPER DRESS. Holly is an adorable jumper dress that can be worn with or without an undershirt. It features a series of skinny shoulder straps that weave in a beautiful pattern onto a racerback bodice, and two very full gathered skirts for maximum twirl power. A couple of drawstrings at the front give the overskirt a scalloped look, letting the underskirt peek out ever so slightly. It comes in sizes 2T to 10 all in the same pattern, just like our paper patterns do.

Find it on ETSY and CRAFTSY (and coming soon to an e-vendor near you!) :)

My favorite feature in this pattern is the back bodice. Here's a closer look at the way those four straps intertwine in the back. LOVE IT!

Above photos are courtesy of M.A.S. Photography.

I also love the scalloped skirt. Those drawstrings are so sweet! Check out the amazing photos I've received from my testers...

A million thanks to my pattern tester, Elizabeth Shepherd,  for the wonderful test sample and pattern feedback. Above photos courtesy of child photographer, Jessica Castaneda from Jessica Idalia Photography. Our adorable model, Brie, is wearing a Holly dress made with Puffy Bird, from Heaven & Helsinki, and Diamonds, from Textured Basics.

Now, take a look at this adorable version...

 Worn with an undershirt...

A million thanks to my pattern tester, Linda Edson (www.allegrofabrics.com), for the wonderful test sample and pattern feedback. Above photos courtesy of Sofia Laos Photography. Her adorable model, Nicky, is wearing a Holly dress made with Spare a Square, from Heaven & Helsinki, and Shoreline, from Textured Basics.

Here are a couple of other photos of Holly I've received, not sewn in my fabric, but still precious. :)

Above two photos courtesy of Teresa Abel Martin 

Above photo courtesy of Jenny McCourt © 2013 Kim Russell Photography

Hope you enjoyed the photos! Again, you can find HOLLY on our Etsy and Craftsy stores, and soon it will be at a few e-vendors out there too!

Now, I just want to do something fun. Since this whole downloadable pattern thing is still a new venture for us, I would love to hear your feedback. Have your purchased one of our e-patterns before? If so, what did you think of it? If not, are there any specific patterns you are hoping to see from us? Anything new you are excited about getting?

Here's is a quick recap of our current e-pattern offerings. You can see them all here on Etsy:

We also have a few new ones in the works. Here is a sneak peek of a couple currently out in testing:

Please leave us a comment and on Wednesday, we will draw 3 winners who will each get to choose a FREE e-pattern from our Etsy store. Please leave us a way to contact you if you are a lucky winner! GOOD LUCK!!

Kimberly Maxi Dress
MODKID's Newest Downloadable PDF Pattern

Embrace the warm Summer months with our Kimberly Maxi Dress for girls and tweens. As easy to sew as it is to wear, this fabulous dress is the perfect canvas for those bold and colorful fabrics you've been waiting to use. Although Kimberly is a full-length dress, you can easily make it shorter by omitting the bottom skirt panel. Any way you make it, this will be a head turner at her next pool party, Caribbean cruise or beach wedding.

This pattern comes in sizes 4T (toddler) to 12 (tween girls).

  Find this pattern here:

• MODKID's Etsy Shop
• Craftsy
• You Can Make This
• Fat Quarter Shop
• Lil Blue Boo
• The Fabric Fairy

NOTE: This is a downloadable PDF pattern, NOT A PAPER PATTERN. After download, your pattern can be opened with Acrobat Reader and will print on standard letter-size paper (8.5" x 11").

Now, how about some inspiration photos?

Sophie (left) is wearing a Kimberly Maxi Dress made with Wireframe from Patty's Heaven & Helsinki collection and Cotton Couture solids by Michael Miller Fabrics. Sydney (right) is wearing Diamonds Multi from Patty's Textured Basics fabric collection and Cotton Couture solids by Michael Miller Fabrics.

The following two photos are courtesy of our awesome pattern tester, Andrea Thomas-Lambe, and her amazing photographer, April Atkinson of M.A.S. Photography. Their adorable model, Madison, is wearing Gardenia from Patty's Heaven & Helsinki collection and Cotton Couture solids by Michael Miller Fabrics.

In case you missed it above, you can find this pattern here:

• MODKID's Etsy Shop
• Craftsy
• You Can Make This (may take a bit to show up here)
• Fat Quarter Shop
• Lil Blue Boo
• The Fabric Fairy 

Stay tuned for another e-Pattern coming next week. 

Spring 2013 Sewing Pattern Reveal

As I was digging my toes into the soft and warm sands of the Bahamas last week, and feeling sorry for all my friends back in the Midwest, it occurred to me that I still haven't blogged about our new patterns. WOW, I'm really behind! I guess I had vacation on my brain. Can you blame me?

So, without much further ado, I present to you our 4 newest patterns. Click on the pattern name to go to its listing on our site.

First up, it's BAILEY...

Bubble Shorts and Romper With Shirred Back

Sizes 12M - 5T

Bailey is a girls' romper with shorts option. The romper features a comfy shirred back panel and suspender straps that attach with snaps. The shorts have a flat front with elasticized back and adorable bubble hems. A pair of contrasting color inset pockets complete the ensemble.

Check out these adorable photos from my testers. The following 2 are by Courtney Davis and Bella Vie Photography:

And this one is by Andrea Thomas Lambe and Lyndsey Sullivan Photography:

Next up, it's GRACE.

Smock-style Tunic with Ruffled Cropped Pants

Sizes 2T - 10 

Grace is an adorable smock-like tunic with coordinating cropped pants. The tunic pulls over the shoulders with two small buttons in the center front for ease of dressing. The pants have an elasticized back waistband with flat front. Tiny ruffles, accent bands and adorable pockets add an extra touch of flair!

Now, for some sweet tester pics! This one is from Cheryl Santos and Mike Kohberger Photography:

And this one is from Bridgett Wright:

Next up, it's QUINN.

Knee-length Dress With Front Button Closure, Gathered Skirt and Sleeves

Sizes 2T - 10  

Quinn is a classic-style dress with front button closure, a full gathered skirt and adorable bubble sleeves. The bias binding along the front closure adds a bit of contrast and boutique feel. This dress features a longer skirt (knee-length) but can be easily shortened, if desired. Mix and match your favorite designer fabrics for a unique look. 

I just adore these tester pics!!! This sweet pink and green version is from Bridgett Wright:

 

And this playful and colorful version is from Liz Mouse:

And last but not least, here is RILEY.

Peasant-style Dress With Round Neckline and Large Bow

Sizes 2T - 10 

Riley is an adorable peasant-style dress with a rounded neck band, a paneled front body and a whimsical bow detail that will make every girl twirl with delight. Choose a long- or short-sleeved version and make it with or without the contrast ruffles for a different look every time. 

Check these out! So sweet! This is one of my favorite pics of all time by Andrea Thomas Lambe and Natalie Kimball Photography:

And this cutie is by Cheryl Santos and Mike Kohberger Photography:

That's it, folks! Would love to hear what you think.

I'd like to thank all of my pattern testers and photographers for a marvelous job! You all know how much we appreciate all of your help!! And a big hug to all the adorable models! xoxo

If you are interested in purchasing these patterns, they are in stock and ready to ship on our website or check with your favorite fabric and sewing pattern retailer to see if they have them in stock. We have been shipping wholesale orders every day since they came in!

Also, stay tuned as we will be releasing some brand new and super adorable new PDF pattern later this week!

Card-making

I don't think I'll ever have to step foot in Hallmark again! I am having such a fun time designing and making cards with my new Cameo machine. The other day Sophie was going to a birthday party when she yelled at the last moment, "We forgot to buy a card!" I said, "No worries" and within 5 minutes, I had cut this beauty out of the birthday girl's favorite color:

Now, cards aren't just for birthdays anymore. Can St. Patrick's Day be romantic? Hmmm... I don't know, but I'm certainly gonna try...

Find this file for download here.

Find this file for download here.

If St. Patty's Day isn't your favorite holiday to send greeting cards for, I have also been busy designing adorable Easter cards for all the sweet things in your life...

Find this file for download here.

Find this file for download here.

Find this file for download here.

See my entire portfolio of Silhouette shapes here.