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!
Get to know Melissa a little better below!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
I love to play tennis, have tea parties with my girls, picnics with my family and to read Christian fiction.
My favorite is the Sweet Dress for Dolls. Thanks for the giveaway! j-j-s AT juno DOT com
ReplyDeleteLove them all, but my favorite is the Joy bag. vcook1977@cfl.rr.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite e-pattern is the Cherished dress.
ReplyDeleteI love the all dolled up pattern. My granddaughter would love that.
ReplyDeleteI follow Melissa's blog and love all her patterns. Her little girl dresses are just too cute for words.
ReplyDeleteWishing you well Melissa @ SewBaby! My favorite is definitely the JOY bag. :)
ReplyDeleteI would use it myself and bring lots of joy! All of them are wonderful! Love, Pia
My favorite is the Cherished pattern for girls and for their dolls.
ReplyDeleteI love the All Dolled Up Tote!
ReplyDeleteI like the Sweet Dress E-Pattern!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeletehttp//richardquilts.blogspot.com
http://trackmyshows.com
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.
ReplyDeleteLovely to learn more about Melissa!
ReplyDeleteI love the Joy bag!
I really like the JOY bag:)
ReplyDeleteI love the JOY bag! Thanks for a chance to win! :)
ReplyDeleteDifícil escolha...Vestido doce para Dolls.Muito obrigada pela chance,é muito talento num blog só.
ReplyDeleteI love the Joy bag but I wish I had someone to make doll clothes for!
ReplyDeleteThe sweet dress....because it is OH SO SWEET!!! Fingers crossed!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Melissa! I've been wanting the Joy Bag. Thank you, mamalusco at ortelco.net.
ReplyDeleteI love the Joy Bag! Thank you for the giveaway. It was fun learning more about Melissa.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter would love some doll clothes made from any one of you darling patterns! Great interview!
ReplyDeleteMGM
My favorite would be the Joy bag pattern. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Joy bag!!! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI like the family tree pattern. Thanks for the chance. Enjoyed the interview!
ReplyDeleteLove the Joy bag.
ReplyDeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteThank you and Melissa for a great giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Love the Joy bag pattern...
ReplyDelete