Behind the Scenes!

We were excited, smiling, modeling, running to follow the sunshine, picking out outfits, painting fingers & toes, doing hair, and loving every minute of it.

We were taking photos.
Er.
We were just there to help C&T's amazing (and adorable!) photographer, Nissa.
It was SO - WOW! We had talked about it before, and now when the time came to do the real-deal photoshoot, my sisters and I all grabbed a friend and started doing hair, makeup, and nails. Picking out clothes and shoes to wear with whatever project they were modeling was one of my very favorite things!

                                     Have to admit it. We had a lot of yummy fun doing it too!

So thankful to have such amazing, beautiful, bright, sweet, best friends that want to be a part of whatever I do. (Missing Becky in the above pic, though!)

Behind the Scene shots!!!!!

                                 Above two photos by C&T for Modern Prairie Sewing!!!!!
In short! It was divine.

XO Abi

send a little message....

Whew!  Down to my last three!  I'm SO happy!!!  Since marie-madeline studio was a part of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle Event, orders have been pouring in. {thankful}  We got in about 30 orders for messenger bags and along and along I've been whipping them up. So now you know why being down to three is something to celebrate!

                             My very favorite messenger bag order sewn up and ready to ship out!

For those of you who love to sew, you can make your own pocket-happy-tote-everywhere messenger bag over here! 

happy sewing!
xo Abi

a Modern Prairie Sewing Class!

                                   My beautiful sister, Abiah, wearing her Simple Wrap Scarf.

C&T Publishing asked me to write a instructor's sewing class plan for one of the 20 projects from Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You & Your Friends. I was SO happy to do it!!!

I chose a very simple-to-sew, but super cute and fun accessory piece - my Simple Wrap Scarf.

If you have a cute quilt shop or give sewing lessons, Modern Prairie Sewing would be a great book to teach from!!! I'd love to see finished projects!!

happy sewing!
xo Abi

a leetle bit of sunshine

                                                            It felt sooooo gooood.

Now's the time for sunscreen (and sunburns), diving off the diving board, or laying out on the trampoline getting some sunshine with best friends. After a long winter - it feels so good!

Hope you're soaking in the warm weather wherever you're at!
XO Abi

favorite summer skirt

                                                                    Through an open door.

Some pieces of clothing take a few wears before you decide whether or not you like them. Or love them. Or hate them. This skirt was one that I picked up when my sisters and I went shopping with some great friends! (Love you, Lydia! Sophie! Clara!) The daisies looked so summery. "It's just perfect." I thought. And I was right.

What are some of your new favorite pieces for this summer season?
XO abi

A Good Pressing.

Does your ironing board have a pretty cover? Or is it worn out? Maybe you've just replaced the old one? Well!  At any rate, here's a fun ironing board cover tutorial next time you're ready for a change!

Have fun sewing!
XO Abi

Follow Modern Prairie Sewing on Facebook!

Become a fan of Modern Prairie Sewing on facebook to get the latest scoop on everything that's going on!! 

                     My gorgeous friend, Jane, modeling the Cakewalk skirt and the Flower in Your Hair.
            Make them yourself when you get Modern Prairie Sewing! And don't forget to send me  a                            picture or post them on the Modern Prairie Sewing facebook page!!! 
XO Abi

<>the long road trip<>

I knew that I wanted to write a book. I just didn't know how. I knew I wanted it to be about sewing and be full of new, fun, fresh sewing projects. I just didn't know what.

            Memory Quilt from Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You and Your Friends

I told my parents that I wanted to write a sewing book. I got the normal response. "Sure! Knock yourself out." "Go for it."  So I did!

I spent hours drawing up patterns and testing them out. My sisters told me what was perfect and what needed to be fixed. It was awesome! I kept going over pattern instructions. When Nan flew down one February, she helped me finalize some math and fitting on some of the clothing pieces.

I sent my proposal to C&T publishing. They wanted it! I was hyper. I didn't know what I was doing. But all that I didn't know, the helpful, beautiful people at C&T did!  They walked me through every step and were so enthusiastic about my book. It made me more excited than I already was!

                       One of my best friends, Jane, (A+adorable, I know) modeling the Mia bag from 
                          Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You and Your Friends

A C&T photographer, Nissa, came out and spent two days with us. Wow! What a blast. (And she's SO cute!) She knew just how to capture everything and was amazing at working around our hide-n-seek sunlight.

             One of my best friends, Becky, (cutest, right?), modeling the Sunny Day skirt from
                Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You and Your Friends

Now. The book's finished! And hopefully, all you lovely people who love to sew or want to learn to sew, can have your own copy in July!!!!  I'm so excited and happy with Modern Prairie Sewing and can't wait to see what all you sew up from it! Tell me! Show me! I want to see it, too.

It was like a long road trip. Like you're never going to get there. But when you finally do, the view is better, the family & friends hugs are tighter, the sloppy Joe's are tastier and it's all pretty wonderful.

I started it when I was 18. Now I'm 21. It's all pretty wonderful.
Thanks C&T!  Love you, awesome friends!!!

XO Abi

Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You and Your Friends <>It's REAL!<>

Modern Prairie Sewing is REAL!!!!  It smells perfect. It looks perfect. It is perfect. Thanks to all my friends at C&T Publishing!  (And my mom, nan, and sisters for the continual proof reading!)  I couldn't have done it without so many amazing people!  Thanks all! 

I was super surprised to receive this beautifully stunning bouquet from my fave publishing company EVER! (C&T, of course.)  Thank you, everyone!

I'll try to be back soon with some fun pictures!

xoxo Abi

IT will be OUT in JULY! Modern Prairie Sewing!

Hi there!  I'm super excited to finally let the cat out of the bag and tell you all that I wrote a sewing book!! You'll be able to find Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You and Your Friends in stores in July! C&T publishing were the absolute best to work with and I can honestly say that I had a blast working with all of them and making my book real life. (If you want to write a book - go to C&T. They are a.m.a.z.i.n.g!) Here are some sneak peek pictures!

 

You can preorder the book on Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com (See those three girls to the right? They are gorgeous. And they're my sisters.)

We were laughing. The frock I'm wearing in this picture is one of the 20 projects that you'll find in Modern Prairie Sewing! I used cotton rayon to make my Party Frock, and it drapes beautifully. Make your Party Frock out of rayon and show me a picture; I want to see it on you!

On the left, Achaia's modeling my It's a Cinch Belt. (I know. She's divine.)
And on the right, I'm taking Brandy - er. Brandy's taking me - for a nice, brisk walk. Again, I'm wearing my Party Frock. Because, taking a walk on the prairie is a party.

One of my very best friends, Faith, is toting the Maggie bag! Also found in Modern Prairie Sewing!

I'm so excited!!! Hop into a bookstore, JoAnn Fabrics, or a Hobby Lobby near you and ask if they'll be carrying Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You and Your Friends! So you can have your own copy. And you can get in on the fun, too!

Big Love, Abi

Special Thanks to C&T publishing for the beautiful pictures. xoxo

Love you, Michele, Roxane, Nissa, Kristy, Alison, Jenny, Katie, Gailen, Diane, Mary, Monica, Jocelyn, Adrianne & Jessica!!!!