Sophie Bags ... a NEW PDF pattern for the Modern Prairie Girl!

 I'm so very excited and thrilled to share with you my latest downloadable pattern,

the Sophie Bags in two fun and unique views!!!

Both crossbody & clutch work for all different kinds of gals and 

I can't wait to hear what you all think about it!

This fun PDF pattern is for sale in my Etsy shop, 

the Modern Prairie Girl. 

Run go check it out!

 "The Sophie bags are fun and unconventional! 

The slightly more structured crossbody carries everything beautifully, while still boasting a pretty, gathered panel front. 

But when you’re going out for the evening to do something special, carry the Sophie clutch. 

It will fit just perfectly in the crook of your arm 

and still look charming."

The Sophie bags are fun and easy to sew! 

Step by step instructional photos are helpful too. 

We'll also walk through crazy fun things like zippers and tassels 

(for the clutch, naturally!).

and this is Sophie....

... my friend.  

happy sewing!  xoxo Abi

Special thanks to my friend, Sophie, for being so adorable, smart & sweet that naming the Sophie Crossbody & Clutch bags pattern after her only made sense!

Huge thanks to my friend Sophie of Smile For Sophie Photography for the 

gorgeous finished project photos!

a little bit of China. a little bit of friend.

My friend, Anna, went to China.

And brought me back this. 

(Along with a beautiful postcard to boot!)

I was so surprised by her sweet thoughtfulness. 

It made me thankful for the many friends God's blessed me with. 

Very thankful. 

So whenever I see it, put it on, and enjoy wearing it, I think of my friend. 

I love my necklace, Anna!  Thank you!!!

xoxo Abi

My friend, CinderBella

 “Where there is kindness, there is goodness. And where there is goodness, there is magic.” 

– Cinderella

My friend, Bella, is one amazing seamstress. This girl. I haven't seen

 such gorgeous, precise work in forever!  But she did it. She really designed and made

a perfect (and even more beautiful) remake of the Cinderella costume worn by Lily James in Cinderella 2015.  

What's even more exciting and fun and impressive, is that Isabella is selling these amazing Cinderella dresses over at her Etsy shop, Bella Mae's Designs. 

Her work is beyond perfect and is really incredible. 

Go check it out! 

Hop over to Sophie's blog, Smile for Sophie, to see even more pictures of the beautiful Bella in her Cinderella dress. So gorgeous!!
But the video that Sophie and Bella made is just amazing. 
You get lost in it and kind of want to trade places with Cinderella for maybe just a day or two!
Enjoy it over here!!! 

Thanks, Bella, for sharing your talent with all of us.
You're fabulous!
xo Abi

Something I've Learned.

 

This is me and my Nan hitching a ride on a bus that took us from our Houston, TX hotel to the convention center where the fall 2013 International Quilt Market was taking place. 

Anyone who knows my grandparents, Nanny & Paps, knows that they're giving people. 

They give their time, their work, their talents, their gifts, their hands to anyone in need. 

And they just give. 

They don't ask or expect anything in return.

So naturally, I adore them. (Actually. Love them fiercely.)

They've always been there to encourage me, set me straight and teach me; whether it's about painting cars [thank you, Paps!], how to make a pillow [thank you, Nan!], or how to respond or behave in a way that pleases Jesus Christ [thank you, both!]. They even love me through my craziness. Wow.

So now that you know that, it's probably understandable why, when my Nan called with an idea for a new bag that she wanted me to make for her, I just couldn't say no. 

She wanted a simple hipster style bag, with zippers, pockets, and an adjustable strap. 

Simple, right? No. I wanted it to be just perfect. 

(I think a thumb nail disappeared after I racked my brain on how to make professional looking zippers and pockets like that. Oops.) 

Nanny sent me the fabrics that she wanted me to use and I made a prototype. 

When she called, we talked about ways it could be better and I got to work. 

I made it. I sent it.

It took me awhile to get the design and how I'd construct it in my head.

But the main thing is: Nan loved it. 

Instead of Nan giving to me (like she has my whole life and continues to), I could give back. 

Even though it was a simple thing, I gave. 

And I loved it. 

It was worth the time, the prototype, and the math.
And thumbnails grow back.

I love you, Nan (and Paps)! 

XOXO  abs

Reflections Quilt - a PDF Pattern

Folks!  I'm so very very very excited!!!! 

Introducing my first PDF pattern:

The Reflections Quilt! 

This pattern includes options for sizes twin, full/queen and king.  

The block style is super straightforward 

and really easy to layout and sew together.  

Step by step instructions are written out along with 

some explanatory photos. 

 I couldn't help by share my favorite ways 

of how to sew your quilt together too. 

Binding instructions also shown. 

This pattern is available in my Etsy, the Modern Prairie Girl, 

and can be downloaded right away upon purchase! 

Yay!

happy sewing! xo Abi

Special thanks to my Pastor Gene for his amazing help in figuring out the dimensions for my Reflections Quilt pattern and for delivering sermons every Sunday that speak to my heart. 

a knit maxi dress for Her.

Do you ever see something that you really love, 

but just can't bring yourself to spend the money on it?

Yeah, us too.

Well, for a long time now, we've admired this gorgeous maxi dress from Boden.

My sisters and I were talking and I remembered this dress pattern I'd picked up one year at Quilt Market from Kay Whitt of Sew Serendipity. I'd made the dress previously out of rayon and loved it.

Sew!

Why wouldn't it work made out of knit, substitute the pleat in the front and back of the dress for gathers, forget the sleeves and zipper and have your own Boden dream dress without the price?!

Achaia and I started cutting into a watery floral print we had on hand and I started sewing.

Achaia was super happy with how her dress turned out!

After all, that's all that matters. 

xo Abi