Darison's Tag Baby Blankies {a tutorial}

This adorable neighbor girl of mine is so sweet. 

(Some of you might recognize her as a long-time model for marie-madeline studio patterns...)

When Darison found out that her cousin and his wife were going to be having their first baby, she quickly and thoughtfully set out to make them something special for their precious little one. 

She found a tutorial on how to make these super adorable blankies and went out and found the softest, cutest fabrics and ribbons. 

I was so happy that Darison wanted to spend one of our Fridays together sewing up these sweet baby gifts. (She decided to make two blankets - one for the cousin coming and the other for a little cousin who's already here....) So between homework and cookie dough and then baked cookies, she made these blankets. 

Yes. She. Because all I did was help her out sometimes. 

Darison did a fantastic job and I'm so proud of her! 

She also graciously allowed me to take pictures of her while she worked, so we could share a little bit of our fun day and a new tutorial with you all. 

Darison's Tag Baby Blankies 

-2 squares 13 1/2" x 13 1/2" of soft fabrics (minky, fleece, flannel)

-Ribbon (silky is especially fun)  

 1. cut ribbon 5" long.

 2. fold ribbon in half and pin around the edges of your square. raw edges of ribbon even with raw edge of fabric.

 3. sew ribbon tails down at 1/4".

 4. right sides together, place squares together, with ribbons sandwiched in between.

 5. sew squares together at 1/4". make sure your second stitch is right inside your first stitch. leave 3" gap in the middle of one side.

 6. clip corners and cut off excess around edges.

 7. turn right side out through 3" gap.

 8. carefully push out corners and topstitch around edges at 1/4".

 And..... you're finished! 

Thanks, Darison!

Way to go, Dare!  So proud of you. I know your little cousins will love them!

xo Abi

Just Us.

About Us

We grew up without realizing that some people actually bought curtains and pillows, instead of making them themselves. Almost every woman in our family is or has been an artist or seamstress of some kind! When we were very little girls, we sold our handmade creations to the neighbors (who still have some of our popular potholders). So marie-madeline studio – named after our grandmother and great-grandmother – was launched in December of 2007, with a vision for encouraging and inspiring others into making beautiful things. Our exclusive line of sewing patterns debuted that same year, and our booth at International Quilt Market won first place for merchandising in 2012!  Since then, we’ve sold fabric, notions, custom-made clothes, quilts, and more… until we came full circle back to where it all began.  With sewing patterns.  We girls have grown up a lot since those first years, and now we’re branching off into our own special projects.  Abi’s first book, Modern Prairie Sewing, was published last year and is available for purchase in her Etsy shop!
Most of all, we’re thankful to God for giving us each other and a gift that we can share with you!

XO,

Kristie, Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, & Abiah

“Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psalm 119:111

who we are… and what we love

---

------------------------------------------------

I'm so thankful for my mom and sisters and the special relationship that we have.

Here's a little bit of our story! 

xoxo Abi 

My Little Corner at marie-madeline studio

Abi

Hello! I’m Abigail, but you can call me Abi. I’m the third oldest girl in our foursome, and it’s been so fun to get to work with my mommy and sisters every day.
If you’ve ordered something custom made from marie-madeline studio in the past, I probably had a hand in sewing it. I love to sew and have learned so much since starting our company back in 2007! I am a fast sewing seamstress who loves to design simple and streamlined sewing patterns for the everyday girl. My style is very “modern prairie”, and I love to see that come through in what I make! Last year, I wrote my first sewing book with C&T Publishing called, Modern Prairie Sewing: 20 Handmade Projects for You & Your Friends. It’s full of fun and fresh looks for bags, women’s clothing, and home goodies. I’ve written quite a few tutorials for our marie-madeline blog, too, including my super popular messenger bag that y’all loved so much (thanks loads!). Now I’m continuing to share my designs on my own blog, The Modern Prairie Girl. I love to make stuffed animals for my littlest friends and chocolate chip cookies for my big friends. I’m an every day girl who loves Jesus Christ. I also love to run barefoot, hug family & friends, hold babies, scream on rollercoasters, go canoeing, laugh, dance, and talk (like, a lot). I just recently opened an Etsy shop, The Modern Prairie Girl. You’ll find lots of pretty things there – from designs sewn right out of my book, Modern Prairie Sewing, to special one-of-a-kind items. I’m so excited to be here and am super happy you’re here too!
xoxo Abi

---

I love…. Jesus, my family, my friends, sewing, singing with my sisters, getting muddy in our friend’s creek, swimming, canoeing, big sunglasses, smiling, cowgirl boots, soft pretzels & flavored cokes, talking, going barefoot, tunics, watching movies with friends, laughing, cooking & baking, cookie dough, giving, cutting hair, running, writing letters to my grandparents, talking on the phone, babies, mystery TV shows, hugging, sneakers, rambling while I’m in bed, going out for Mexican food with a large crowd, pizza, praying, soft sheets, country music, being with my best friends (that includes my sisters), dancing, staying up late, weddings.

**SALE** at The Modern Prairie Girl Etsy & marie-madeline studio has a new look!!!

 My Etsy shop, The Modern Prairie Girl, is 

celebrating something exciting and BIG!

Use the coupon code HAPPYDAY25

and enjoy 25% off your purchase!

  

Why celebrate??!

marie-madeline studio has a fresh look!!!!

Hop over and check it all out!

Read each of our separate and fun stories here!   

Brandy thought it was pretty amazing, so I thought she should 

get to show her cute face here also.
After all, she's one of the girls too. 

xoxo Abi

There's Beauty in Bedmaking.

Some chores aren't the most exciting. Like sweeping or vaccuming - I take that time to sing. 

Or dusting - I take that time to dance. Call me crazy, but it automatically makes the chore 

more fun. And who doesn't like that?!

Thankfully, I can say that there's not many house chores (chores period) that I can't 

stand doing. Making beds is something that I actually enjoy doing and love pulling out some 

different combinations every time.

I must say that this one is probably one of my favorites. I made the bed up for my brother, Joe, when he recently came home for a visit. The bottom quilt is one that I made when I was about 15. 

I pulled out a bunch of leftover and favored pieces and whipped it up. It was the beginning of our 

marie-madeline studio Happy Scrappy Quilt. I hand quilted it too. 

The polka dot comforter was giving to my sisters and me by a super sweet lady from our grandparents church. Seeing it makes me think of how thoughtful she was.... The comforter has remained a special blankie that we now can't seem to part with.

A vintage quilt from my Nanny and Paps. 

And a cozy channel bedspread from my Mom. 

Lots of things that make me happy. 

What do you pull out to make your bedmaking something other than a dreaded chore? 

xx Abi

a slight sneak peek

A new pattern!

I still can't tell you all about it,

but stay tuned!  I can't wait to see what

you think....

Have a fabulous Friday,

xAbi

Christmas Time's A-Comin'!

Wow!  Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner?!  I love Christmas time. Even though I'm horrible at making a Christmas list of things I'd like to have... I never can think of anything I want. However, after my sister, Achaia, begged me to make one, I thought real hard and came up with a few things I wouldn't mind having. Most importantly: a sewing pattern or two, razors, cowboy boots, and maybe a gift certificate to Target or QuiltHome.

I find I'd rather give than get....

What's on your list???!!!! 

Modern Prairie Sewing is now selling on marie-madeline and I will sign a special note on the inside cover to those who would like one!  It's selling for awesome prices on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and JoAnn Fabrics. Now's the time to order a copy if you want it in time for Christmas!

My entire month of December is full to the brim of amazing and fun things that I love doing. It's a little hectic at times, but I wouldn't trade it! 

Keep warm!  xx Abi

Happy Birthday to my one and only MOMMY!

 

 



Today is one of the best days EVER!

Because....

Today is my Mommy's birthday!!!!!!!

 

She has four very loyal daughters. She is our best friend and confidant. We tell her all about our fun times, our dreams. We confide in her, tell her our fears and our struggles. And she listens to every single bit of it. She knows every bit about us and encourages us to be just who God made us. She's always so encouraging when we get wild ideas. (Like. Wild ideas to write books. Uhm) When she's behind me, I feel like I could do about anything. We've been through awesome times and we've been through rough times, but we've always been together.

 

I'm so thankful for you, Mommy!  You are the absolute best and I simply adore you! I thank the Lord for you today and everyday!

 

My Love Always,

your,

Abs    xoxoxoxo

 

Check out the blog post my sisters and I did on our marie-madeline blog!