Another FREE BOM! Cozy Afternoon!

Good morning! Today is going to be a busy day for me so I thought I'd get an early start.  I wanted to let you know that Jacquelynne Steves is offering a bright, cute block of the month for a quilt called Cozy Afternoon as a free block of the month.

One of the things I love about Jacquelynne's quilt patterns is that there are only 5 main blocks that can be appliqued or embroidered, then are set in a cute setting that is a nice size. These settings let you make a really great size quilt in a relatively short time. She offers quilt kits to make this too. If you don't buy one of her kits, you can use that fabulous piece of fabric you bought but don't know what to do with for the setting blocks and border. Check out her blog and this BOM HERE and get the fabric requirements and sign up. You can subscribe to Jacquelynne's on-line magazine there too.

She is a generous designer who gives lots of patterns away for free and she has an entertaining, informative blog that I think you'll like. Well, I'm off to start my day. Lola is politely poking my leg because she wants her breakfast. If I don't get it for her soon, she'll start softly barking at me. She's a lady but she gets what she wants. Have a great Thursday. See you on May Day! XO from Bev

L'AMOUR FABRIC BY SANDY GERVAIS FOR MODA IS IN THE SHOP!

Gorgeous Lamour fabric designed by Sandy Gervais for Moda is in the 44th Street Fabric shop. Pictured is one of our combo listings (you will save if you by the combo listings we have for almost all of our fabric lines)!

Romantic L'Amour fabric is just what I've been looking for in a Valentine's Day fabric that can be used for oh so many other things! I love this versatile fabric that has a red that is really red! I can see it made into bags, clothing, bedding, to decorate a room, a baby quilt and more. We are looking for projects to make from this fabric--if you have any ideas, let me know.

Don't forget to enter our Blog Giveaway each week! It's free fabric to thank our customers!

LOVE U FABRIC IS IN THE SHOP! SO CUTE!

LOVE U fabric by Deb Strain for Moda is now available at 44th Street Fabric! I've shown you on of my favorites, the ABC fabric in pretty pink with the coordinating dot fabric and the Snails and Turtles fabric in orange with the coordinating dot fabric just to show you how cute it is! In fact, I got a little note from Moda that came with the fabric that said they were cutting our orders short because this line was the most popular they have had in years and they wanted to make sure everyone got their order. Wow - that's really saying something considering they just came out with French General and sold out of it right away....hum... So you can see the rest of it (what we have left) in our Etsy shop and on the website. Just thought I'd show you cause the Love U line is so cute!

Be sure to enter our blog giveaway for FREE fabric (see our blogpost of 11/30/09 for details and to enter) and check out the Love U fabric for kids clothes, gifts, to do a baby nursery, for diaper bags, baby gifts...etc....etc....

IZZY AND IVY PATTERNS SO MUCH FUN!

Izzy & Ivy patterns for bags, quilts and little girls' clothing are favorites at 44th Street Fabric! Izzy and Ivy patterns are simple and easy to make but really nice looking. I looked everywhere for a little girl's dress pattern that would look good made from Rouenneries fabric by French General and I think that the Princess Bella Pattern will be perfect! It looks very French Country to me. The other little dresses and the bags will look great from Frolic, Lily Pond, Love U, Attitude Girls and other fabric lines we carry. And of course, the little quilt is made from Just Dreamy fabric that we carry. Be sure to visit our store and pick up a few patterns to get an early start on your Christmas or Easter projects (what cute Easter dresses these patterns would make) or to make a baby quilt or stitch up a tote bag or purse for yourself or to sell.

And don't forget to enter our blog giveaway for FREE fabric. Rules and entry are on our blog entry for 11/30 and giveaway is 12/7!

OLD PRIMROSE INN BY BLACKBIRD DESIGNS FOR MODA IS IN THE SHOP!

Old Primrose Inn fabric line by Blackbird Designs for Moda is now available at 44th Street Fabric! Blackbird Designs has been one of my favorites for years. I have almost all of their pattern books and have made several projects using their patterns. I love the counted cross-stitch patterns they do also but have no time to do that any more. Sigh...

We took some pre-orders for Old Primrose Inn and it has sold like crazy. Shown are a couple of fabrics from the Cayenne Pepper colorway and the Basil colorway. Probably showing my ignorance here but the basil color (which is just yummy) is a soft, soft blue. I always thought basil was green--oh well, shows what I know.

I'll be doing combo listings in the next few days and be sure and send me any pictures of projects you complete in this fabric! We would love to feature your item! Hope you will take a look at this fabric--it is so gorgeous!

Customer Conversation for April with DressReHERsal!

This month 44th Street Fabric is featuring one of our favorite customers, Lisa, owner and designer at DressReHERsal, her Etsy store! We were lucky enough to interview Lisa about her business and her fabulous designs. All of us were raving about these pics of Lisa's designs made from some of the fabrics we offer in our Etsy store and on our new website! We think the little model is adorable too!

OUR INTERVIEW WITH LISA:

Lisa - we just love the gorgeous clothing you make for your Etsy shop! When did you first start sewing and why?

My grandma taught me to sew when I was 8 years old. In college I made extra money by offering dorm room make-overs. I was also known as the girl who can do alterations to just about anything.

What is the inspiration for your designs?

My inspiration comes from my children. My son is 8, and he goes to private school. The school was throwing away uniforms that were missing buttons, etc, and I decided to take them home and turn them into purses, headbands and lunch totes. I ended up raising money for the school out of items that would have been thrown away. When we found our we would be having a baby girl, I started making her clothes, bibs, blankets. Once she arrived we would go out wearing her adorable outfits and people would stop us on the stree asking "where did you get that?" I got stopped so often that I decided to put a few designs on Etsy. My business took off almost immediately. Less than a year later, I have sold over 1000 items on etsy and to other stores and online boutiques.

Why did you decide to open an Etsy shop?

I decided to open an Etsy shop as an outlet to my creative ideas and to make a little extra income on the side. I had no idea the doors that would open once I put just a few designs on Etsy.

What is your favorite thing about Etsy?

I like Etsy because it is a great place for people to find that unique outfit or gift. It has also given me exposure as a designer of childrens clothing as well as a photographer. Dress ReHERSal is in over 20 stores nationwide and my daughter Emily (20 months) has been modeling for a few online boutiques as well.

As a small business owner, what have been your biggest challenges in starting a new business?

As a small business owner, my biggest challenge has been the competition. Unfortunately, there are a few women out there who want to get ahead so bad, that they will go out of their way to bring down the competition. Although I have made many friends amongst other clothing designers and Etsians, someone very close to me tried to sabatage my success for her own financial gain. Thanks to the loving support of my husband and friends, and the great shops who I had already been working with, they were not steered away by this person. This incident made me a stronger and a bit more guarded with the way I do business.

What do you have planned for the future of DressReHERsal?

I once was looking into taking my goods to the Atlanta Market to show to all stores and boutiques. But, after a bit of thought, I have decided to maintain the loyal customer base that I have and continue being a "One man Band". There is a certain sense of pride in knowing that I single handedly design and sew every item for my Dress ReHERSal clothing line. In addition to Etsy, I also do local craft shows in the Summer and Home Shows in the Winter. My line is pretty well known in Raleigh, NC.
In addition to Dress ReHERSal, I also work part time as an Account Executive. With the economy being in the current state that it's in, I find it rather interresting that my sales continue to be steady. I suppose kids are always growing and they always need new clothes. I like keeping my prices low, but providing the same quality piece that one would get from a high end shop. We live in a fairly large city, Raleigh, NC. It is amazing how many times I have run into children wearing my clothes. At the local pumpkin patch, my son pointed out "look mom, that little girl is wearing one of your skirts!" At the Easter Egg hunt, my husband said he felt like he was with a celebrity because so many mommies asked me if they could get my card - several girls were wearing some of my Spring Line and the moms were quick to point to me as the Designer. Another friends emailed me pictures of her daughter in Disney, wearing one of my custom capri sets, standing between Mickey and Minnie Mouse - she said she could have sold 50 of the capri sets, if she had my cards with her. It is so rewarding and gratifying to know that there are women out there who go just as bazerk about buying my clothing as I do about making it!

Tell us one fun thing about you personally.

Something about me personally. I am married to my high school sweatheart and we have two wonderful children. Michael 8 and Emily 20 months. I get so much love an support from my husband and my kids.

Thanks Lisa!