11
Nov

Introducing Miss Josephine Mae Wilkes

 Josephine Mae Wilkes I'm pleased to introduce Miss Josephine Mae Wilkes born October 12, 2014 at 12:24AM weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces and 20 inches long. It has been a busy last four weeks around here! So busy, in fact, that I didn't get a chance to pop on the blog and let you know that our sweet, precious baby girl had arrived! I figure most of you follow along on Facebook or Instagram (@thecottagemama), so you probably saw my announcement over there and the million baby photos I've been posting over the last month. But we are just beyond smitten with this new … continue reading

28
Oct

Fat Eighth Frenzy Pattern

Today's post is brought to you by my mom, Grandma Jane......... The Fat Quarter Shop has just released a new Shortcut Quilt Pattern called the Fat Eighth Frenzy Pattern! I love the name of this pattern as I am frequently in a “frenzy” trying to make a quilt for a gift at the last moment. There is also a Bonus project pattern included for a smaller quilt using the scraps from the bigger quilt! Brilliant! … continue reading

9
Oct

Create the Perfect Fit Book Review and Giveaway

Today I'm excited to introduce a new book to you all, Create the Perfect Fit by my friend, Joi Mahon! I met Joi several years ago when we were both 1st time teachers at the Martha Pullen School of Art Fashion. I was teaching children's garment construction and Joi was teaching an incredible draping class. Everyone who took Joi's class raved about it and everything in her classroom looked straight out of Project Runway (I'm pretty sure if she were on that show, she would win).........she is the real deal. Anyway, fast forward and now Joi has released her first book … continue reading

6
Oct

Indoor Photography Shooting Guide

So today I wanted to take a minute to let you know about a fantastic new downloadable e-book, the 'Indoor Shooting Guide' from my book photographer, Amy Tripple, and a fellow photography colleague of hers, Heidi Peters. I absolutely adore Amy's work. There was no one else I would have rather photographed all the adorable little girls and clothing in my book, 'Sew Classic Clothes for Girls'. Amy's work is fresh, inspiring and just.....well........stunning. Amy doesn't live far from me and here in the Midwest, we are forced to take many of our photos indoors during … continue reading

25
Sep

New Patterns from The Cottage Mama

New Patterns from The Cottage Mama now available! I have been working really hard behind the scenes finishing up three patterns that I wanted to release before baby girl arrived........and I did it! The new patterns have been released and I am so happy to share a little more about them with you today. … continue reading

19
Sep

The Cottage Mama Sewing Contest Winner

The Cottage Mama Sewing Contest winner is....the 'Constellation-Class Dress'! (Created and sewn by Andrea Rebholz) Both of the judges, Nancy Zieman and Martha Pullen, were incredibly impressed by your creativity and attention to detail in creating this one-of-a-kind dress using the Janey Jumper Pattern. Thank you so much to everyone who entered the contest. You all have truly amazed me with your talent! We'll definitely have to do this again. Congratulations Andrea!! … continue reading

18
Sep

The Cottage Mama Featured Contest Entries

Georgia Vintage Dress Pattern Sewn by Angela Retherford Since there were 200 entries in The Cottage Mama Sewing Contest and only 15 were able to be selected for the finals, I wanted to share some of the contestants entries that didn't make it into the finals. The finalists were selected based on many different factors, including creativity and how they changed up The Cottage Mama Sewing Pattern. There were many, many contestants who sewed beautiful versions of the patterns and I'm excited to share some of those with you here today: … continue reading

16
Sep

The Cottage Mama Sewing Contest Giveaway

Did you all get a chance to check out the finalists yesterday in The Cottage Mama Sewing Contest? Aren't they incredible? Make sure you vote for your favorite look before the end of Thursday, September 18! Since we are celebrating The Cottage Mama Sewing Contest today, we have a fantastic giveaway brought to you by our lovely The Cottage Mama blog sponsors (and a little something from me)! One lucky winner will receive the entire bundle of prizes here.........want to see what you could win? … continue reading

15
Sep

The Cottage Mama Sewing Contest Finalists

It's been an amazing last month watching all of these incredibly talented women sewing their very best creations from The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns. The talent and creativity within the online sewing community always astounds me and the women who've entered The Cottage Mama Sewing Contest are truly an extraordinary bunch. If you haven't gotten a chance to take a look at all the entries, you must check them out over in The Cottage Mama Patterns Group on Facebook. They will definitely inspire you in many ways. … continue reading

9
Sep

Quick Column Quilts Book Review and Giveaway

Today I'm excited to introduce to you Nancy Zieman's latest book, Quick Column Quilts! This lovely new book is going to be perfect for those of you that don't like to spend weeks and weeks on a project. I know for me, one of the reasons I love sewing children's clothing is that I can finish a detailed piece of clothing in about one day. And I would definitely call myself a 'finisher'. How about you? I don't like to have unfinished projects lying around. So if it's going to take me a long time to get a project completed, I'm more than likely not going to start it … continue reading