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Get To Know Melissa Stramel: E-Pattern Designer


Hello Everybody!  We would like to introduce to you Melissa Stramel:  A super talented e-pattern designer!  SewBaby just started carrying her adorable e-patterns that range from perfect girlie dresses to matching perfect girlie dresses for your favorite dolls!  

Take a look at her patterns here. Make a comment on this post, tell us your favorite Melissa Stramel E-Pattern, and one person will be chosen to win the Melissa Stramel E-Pattern of her/his choice!
 
Get to know Melissa a little better below!
Where did you grow-up, where did you go to school, where do you live now?  Tell us about your family.
I'm a Kansas girl. I grew up about an hour east of here in a tiny town of only 100 people. My family had six kids, so when we all grew up and moved away, we always say the town population decreased by half! I'm still very much the rural girl and live on a farm in northwest Kansas. Our farm is near the area's "big" city of about 5000 people. My husband and I have three kids, Nathan is 8, Anna is 6 and Emilie is 4.
How did you learn how to sew, and what kinds of things do you like to sew now?   
My mom taught be to sew when I was VERY young. I started hand sewing and just age 3. Now I like to sew just about anything but my very favorites are dresses for my girls.
 
What advice do you have for beginning sewers?
 Keep at it! When I was young I hated sewing, but once I had kids, it all came back very naturally. Also, if you're a quilter, buy the quarter inch foot. It makes everything go together so much better!
 
When did you start designing sewing patterns?
My first patterns are from 2009, when I began writing tutorials for the Moda Bake Shop.

What makes your patterns unique? 
They're all about being a girly girl. Even if it's something useful, such as the Quilter's Rule! tote, I love to embellish and give lots of ideas for adding embellishments in the patterns. I've also been told that I explain things very well. 
 
 
How do you make time for everything you want to do?
Eek! Right now, not very well. I keep telling my husband things will go back to normal in two months. I'm getting ready for the International Quilt Market and will have 14 patterns out by then. My very first pattern came out last May, so that's 14 patterns in one year. For a one-woman show, I feel like that's a big accomplishment. I also have a book coming out at that market. This is the first place I've mentioned the book! But it's all quite a lot of work at the moment.
 
What are your other interests?
I love to play tennis, have tea parties with my girls, picnics with my family and to read Christian fiction.


 

Comments

  1. JoMarch 14, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    My favorite is the Sweet Dress for Dolls. Thanks for the giveaway! j-j-s AT juno DOT com

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  2. VickyMarch 15, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    Love them all, but my favorite is the Joy bag. vcook1977@cfl.rr.com

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  3. Mary on Lake PulaskiMarch 15, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    My favorite e-pattern is the Cherished dress.

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  4. Rhonda the RamblerMarch 16, 2012 at 9:44 AM

    I love the all dolled up pattern. My granddaughter would love that.

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  5. MargaretMarch 16, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    I follow Melissa's blog and love all her patterns. Her little girl dresses are just too cute for words.

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  6. SnellwomanMarch 16, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    Wishing you well Melissa @ SewBaby! My favorite is definitely the JOY bag. :)
    I would use it myself and bring lots of joy! All of them are wonderful! Love, Pia

    ReplyDelete
  7. ShirleyCMarch 16, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    My favorite is the Cherished pattern for girls and for their dolls.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMarch 16, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    I love the All Dolled Up Tote!

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  9. kkkMarch 16, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    I like the Sweet Dress E-Pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Richard HealeyMarch 16, 2012 at 11:05 AM

    I like the Doll Dress patterns my wife is due to have a baby girl in the next 2 weeks so thinking of things for her right now.

    http//richardquilts.blogspot.com
    http://trackmyshows.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Maria KievitMarch 16, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    I like any of the doll dress patterns. I want to be able to make them and sell them at craft fairs sooner or later, and the more patterns I have, the easier it will be to make different things. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  12. GillMarch 16, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    Lovely to learn more about Melissa!
    I love the Joy bag!

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  13. Kulla KlanMarch 16, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    I really like the JOY bag:)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Carla GMarch 16, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    I love the JOY bag! Thanks for a chance to win! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. tubilinha tiacarminhaMarch 16, 2012 at 4:09 PM

    Difícil escolha...Vestido doce para Dolls.Muito obrigada pela chance,é muito talento num blog só.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousMarch 16, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    I love the Joy bag but I wish I had someone to make doll clothes for!

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  17. AnneliesMarch 16, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    The sweet dress....because it is OH SO SWEET!!! Fingers crossed!!!

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  18. Mama LuscoMarch 16, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    Congrats, Melissa! I've been wanting the Joy Bag. Thank you, mamalusco at ortelco.net.

    ReplyDelete
  19. CeciliaMarch 16, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    I love the Joy Bag! Thank you for the giveaway. It was fun learning more about Melissa.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mary Grace McNamaraMarch 16, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    My daughter would love some doll clothes made from any one of you darling patterns! Great interview!

    MGM

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jennie P.March 16, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    My favorite would be the Joy bag pattern. Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  22. hueiseiMarch 16, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    I loved the Joy bag!!! Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. AureaMarch 17, 2012 at 5:52 AM

    I too started sewing at a young age and made my clothes and my children's clothes. Always liked dress patterns and bags. Thank you for the chance. aurea.gillis@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. DebMarch 17, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    I like the family tree pattern. Thanks for the chance. Enjoyed the interview!

    ReplyDelete
  25. annemarieMarch 17, 2012 at 7:04 AM

    Love the Joy bag.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Jodi - usairdollMarch 18, 2012 at 3:54 AM

    Great interview and Congratulations to Melissa with all her patterns and a book as well coming out. That's wonderful! One of my favorite patterns is her Joy Bag.

    Thank you and Melissa for a great giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. LeahMarch 19, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    Love the Joy bag pattern...

    ReplyDelete

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