Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

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{Heather Bailey pattern giveaway + an interview}

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Filed Under: giveaway

This giveaway is now closed.

This giveaway is open to all countries!

Heather Bailey, one of my all time favorite fabric designers, is giving away TWO super cute sewing patterns to a reader {shipping included}, or a coupon code for the pattern if the winners wants to purchase additional items from her store ~ so there will be TWO winners! Heather’s designs are fresh, colorful and full of life. And darling!

This November will be my third anniversary since teaching myself how to sew, and Heather Bailey fabric has been part of my product line since the very beginning:

I’m very exciting to be gifting two patterns from Heather’s shop. WILL YOU BE A WINNER? Leave a comment below to enter. Gussy Sews hearts Heather Bailey! Choose from a variety of sewing patterns: pin cushions, toys for little people, aprons, handbags — even lunch bags.

To me, pairing this sewing pattern giveaway with a little Q&A sounded like a fabulous idea ~ so I sent three questions over to Heather and let out a little, Yeow! when her answers showed up in my inbox shortly after. Heather is expecting her third babeh, due this month, so this mini-interview is extra special. Thank you again, Heather!

L to R: fresh-picked pincushions, happy stacker ring toy, daily spice halter apron

INTERVIEWING HEATHER BAILEY ~

What is your favorite pattern, and where did you draw inspiration for it?
My daughter, Charlotte, was crazy for pigs when she was a toddler. Her obsession began when she discovered a plastic warthog with red eyes in the recesses of her older brother’s toy box. She carried the evil beast with her everywhere, made him a soft nest to sleep in and sung him lullabies. It was hilarious—and a little alarming. (This warthog was scary-looking.)

We began accumulating toys that were piggish yet sweet. Charlotte soaked it up. Pretty soon, she had a family of plastic pigs to look after, as well as several pig pillows and two pig flashlights. It was at that time I designed Charlotte her own girly pig doll to dress and cuddle. After Charlotte’s Claira pig was shown in a cover story for Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine in April/May of 2008, requests for the pattern flooded in. I designed a boy doll to accompany Claira and added the pattern, Claira & Clancy Pig Dolls to my next print run.

I enjoy 3-dimensional design and had a hey-day contouring Claira’s face and pot belly till her personality was just-so. I’m proud of the well-placed dart seam that gives her an inviting little smile. She was born of love and was a lot of fun to create.

What are your workdays like? Share with us a little about your day-to-day.
With a family to care for, employees to manage, products to design and refine, emails to answer—and a new baby on his way this August—every day is unique. It takes a regular, concerted effort by my team and me to furnish the time needed for me to create new artwork for fabric, housewares, sewing patterns, stationery, and so forth.

My secret weapons? I don’t sit still and I don’t watch TV—though I do listen to TV often enough. It is definitely a juggle, but a happy one. I love what I do.

What is one tip you have for the Gussy Sews community as encouragement for chasing entrepreneurial dreams?
Be thoughtful. Most business endeavors with any potential value will be an immense amount of work. And not all of that work will be fun. Be sure you have what it takes to stick to it; in other words, don’t start till you find something you are truly committed to. I recommend reading Seth Godin’s book, The Dip for a simple, yet impactful introduction to this philosophy. It’s a one-hour read and well worth it.

Be original. There are a lot of inspiring artists and businesses out there. Be inspired, get excited, and gather your energy to take action—but don’t copy. Hone your own, unique voice. This doesn’t just protect other artists and businesses, it protects you—and grants you the best shot at true, sustainable success.

♥ GOOD LUCK entering! I’ll pick the two winners in a few days…

PS. blog/tweet/facebook this giveaway for extra entries {mention @gussysews and @_heatherbailey so i can find your tweets}.
xoxo

Comments

  1. Angela Kolachny says

    I’ve been wanting to try one of her patterns for awhile now! I love her color and print combinations. Thanks for doing this, so fun!

  9. Leslie R says

    Love Heather Bailey fabric!! I can’t wait until the pop daisy turquoise is back in stock! It’s on my “Want!” list!

  11. Kathleen says

    What cute patterns! My mom retires in Sept, so this would be fun to have- we both love to sew. Thanks!

  14. Carol says

    Great interview with Heather…I love the part about being creative yet original !
    Thanks for the giveaway.

  15. Kim Bernhardt says

    HB, yes please! I love her design. I cant wait for my daughters hair to get a bit longer to use her trash ties. And dont get me started on her fabric, I recently bought some laminated cotton that has been open up a can of worms. I have been sewing and sewing and sewing, that hasnt happened in over a year!!

  16. Laura says

    Wish these beautiful patterns were around when my two sweet daughters were babies! I adore the fabric, as well.

  22. tammy says

    I am always looking for new handbag patterns and hers are awesome! I would love to win!!!! Thanks for the oppportunity!

  29. Lauren S says

    Love Love Love Heather’s patterns and fabric line! What a great interview! Thanks for a great giveaway – so generous!!!!! I would LOVE to win! Thanks for the chance!

  33. courtney says

    That is one of the sweetest stories I have ever heard! What can I say, I have a heart for the scary warthog! Anyone else know the Flanders and Swan song about how nobody ever wants to court a warthog? Anyway…darling :-)

  36. Alice @ Farewell, Office says

    Wow! I’m just starting to sew and had not idea there were such cute patterns out there! I’d love to get started with a few. AND did not know you only started sewing 3 years ago; that’s very encouraging for me!

  40. Heather says

    I would love one of her patterns. The patterns are great, her fabric is stunning, AND we share the same first name… :)

  53. Paige Whitley says

    I am also a self taught seamstress on my mothers 32 year old “brother” sewing machine. I love to sew and enjoy the end product more than anything. I typically only make time to sew now as gifts. I’d love to win a patter (or two) and would pick something that would work as a gift for my girlfamily and girlfriends.

  58. Jenny K. says

    I love Heather Bailey! When I started teaching myself to sew about a year and a half ago it was her fabric I ordered first. I did my little girls baby bedding and bumper pads out of the gorgeous fabrics. I love the bold colors and patterns. Thanks for the chance to win.

  64. Jesy says

    I started sewing in September of last year all self taught through books and online tutorials/blogs :) I LOVE the sewing community and all that people have to offer and all the awesomeness of the bloggers!

  70. April Foss says

    Wow Gussy! You are in the “in” crowd!! Good for you getting out there. You are one successful lady and lots more in the future! Heather Baily is so cute and LOVE that she has a family and kids and fits all that in to her day. IT is a struggle. My favorite thing she said is don’t copy! I wish more people understood this and respect the fact how much time we the creator have put into crafting our skill. I suppose you almost have to ignore those people and hope that your work shines through and is true.
    Great interview and giveaway!

  82. Susan I says

    How exciting!! My next stop is directly to Heather Baily’s shop. Thanks for this great giveaway!!

  87. Michaeleen says

    I love Heather’s designs and have been following her for a while. I am also loving the facebook posts you have been doing in facebook since I “like”‘d you. Thanks for the giveaway!

  91. Jennifer Cheek-Payan says

    Wow, her patterns & fabric are all so cute! I found my mind running wild thinking of all the things I would like to make using her patterns & fabric! The elephants are my all-time favorite! Anyways, Thank you so much for turning me onto a new suppplier and also for the chance to win!

  95. Gill says

    Great interview! Thanks!
    I’ve made several fruity pincushions(!!) and I’d love to try Heather’s clothing patterns

  104. Kelly says

    Wow, I had never been introduced to Heather Bailey before….what WONDERFUL patterns and fabric! Thanks so much for sharing Gussy! I’m inspired!

  108. Julie says

    I love Heather Bailey’s fabric, patterns, sense of humor, and view of life. Great giveaway! Her baby story is so sweet. Glad this one *stuck*.

  120. Anita says

    I love the pictures and the interview! Thanks for another fun giveaway opportunity. I mentioned this on both twitter and facebook :-)

  123. Megan says

    How fun! Thanks for the fab giveaway, girl! You should probably know that you have moved from the sewing / crafts to fashion / style section of my reader. I was always inspired by what you wore on WIWW and your bags are so stylish. I still consider you crafty, but it’s easier to find you amongst the small selection of fashion / style blogs. Thanks for the overall inspiration!

  124. Saira Rocha says

    Love Heather’s fabrics! Have bought my fair share of her prints and love how everything pops! Nicey Jane was one of my absolute fav fabrics!

  129. Maria says

    What a fun giveaway! I’m going to teach myself to sew…maybe a few patterns can help me get started. ;0)

  138. april c. says

    i would love to win a heather bailey pattern — she is such a fab designer & i love her outlook on life!

  145. Amy Priddy says

    Oooooh, I have not been on Heather’s website in a long time. Since we have moved and I lost my big sewing space, I really have not had any time to sew and haven’t felt too inspired. But after checking out her Jack & Jill Lunch Tote pattern, I can honestly say that I am inspired to take out the sewing machine!! I went back to work in the legal field and NEED me a cute lunch tote! If I get lucky enough to win, that is the pattern I would LOVE!!

    Thanks for the great giveaway!!

    Amy

  149. Nancy says

    I just started following your blog and I am loving it. I just recently started sewing myself so your story is such an inspiration. Love the Heather fabric and would love to try out one of her patterns.

  157. K*D Quilts says

    Heather Bailey was one of my first fabric loves! There’s not a thing that she does that I don’t love! Thanks for this giveaway.

  159. Ashley says

    I love the Claira and Clancy pig dolls! My daughter loves stuffed animals, especially farm and jungle animals. She would love these two!

  165. Mindy A. says

    I am also expecting this month! I would LOVE to win the happy stacker toy pattern. It is so cute!!!

  173. Debbie Lindsay says

    Thank you for such an awesome giveaway! I adore Heather Bailey fabrics/patterns :)

  176. Becky Laverty says

    Winning would help me as I teach my daughter how to sew. She is so excited. Almost every day she wants to work on something and learn more. Your give away would be an awesome chance for her!!!! Also your pin cushion is cute.

  186. Myrna says

    i love Heather Fabric and Patterns.. i will love to win!! and well i am looking your blog too and i love it too!!!

  193. M'Lyn D says

    I love the mix of bright colored felt(that seems like its for winter)with bright patterns. Ahhh!
    Count me in too!

  194. Mari says

    Love your work…very much
    Wish you and the little one all the best :)
    Greetings from Germany
    Mari

  206. Laura says

    I was just looking at her website at the cute elephant pin cushions and saw her retweet the give away! I’d love a chance :)

  208. carriecatherine says

    Heather Bailey is great! I remember buying her trash ties ar a mall in Arizona years ago, for my newly adopted daughter!

MAGGIE WHITLEY WEAVES HER WRITINGS around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges and delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their five young children, live in northern Michigan. She has been writing online since 2008. CLICK TO READ MORE ♥

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