Have you heard of Me & My Sister Designs? I bet you have and you may not even realize it! They are the designers behind fun lines like Amelia, Ready Set Snow, Dilly Dally, and so many more.
I had the opportunity to interview Barb and Mary recently and here is what we chatted about:
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| Barb & Mary |
Barb & Mary: We find inspiration for our fabrics everywhere … sometimes it’s a small flower on an old scrap of fabric or a greeting card. Most of the time it just comes from doodles. Mary used to use graph paper to sketch out our patterns. Now she does most of it on the computer.
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| Barb’s Favorite Fabric Design |
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| Mary’s Favorite Fabric Design |
Barb & Mary: Thank You! I think the playfulness comes from the original doodles. The flowers start out very primitive with simple shapes and that helps to keep them whimsical and playful.
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| A bundle of their first group – Pedal Pushers |
Most everything is a joint effort. We usually get together 3 or 4 times a week and either sit in front of the computer, test sew, or tweak fabric ideas. But after the initial pattern pages are written … Mary does all the computer graphics by herself.
Our designs are simple so lots of time the process is too. Sometimes we actually cut up fabric, but most of the time we just start with a square on the computer screen, chop it up and put it back together. We have been doing this for so many years now it comes naturally.
Barb & Mary: Orange Slices is one of Mary’s all time favorites! Pinwheels are my favorite block … so I like Spin Cycle! I love making half square triangles! We got in a faze where we were naming all our patterns after food. Had to stop that! I think we were naming them before lunch!
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| Orange Slices – Courtesy of Me & My Sister Designs |
Barb & Mary: To be honest … no we do not miss owning the shop. We do miss the people! But not the hard work of being a shop owner! Owning the shop taught us a lot about the quilting business and provided us with contacts. Even after selling the shop we kept in contact with our Moda sales rep Ron Wiggins, who mentored us with the shop and with branching out into fabric and patterns.
Melissa: As sisters, do you find that working together has made you closer? From your website it seems like the whole family is, in some form or another, involved in your business – does everyone also sew and create with you?
Barb & Mary: I can’t say that it has made us closer. We have always been good friends, except for a period of time when we were in high school! Hated each other for several years. Mom used to threaten to lock us in a room together to see who came out alive! But after college and when the families started to grow all that luckily disappeared. Four of the five sisters quilt. My son and daughter in law stuff patterns and Mary’s daughters both help with the computer work and graphic design. They help teach us new things on the computer everyday! Both our husbands build the props for our market booths. It really is a family run business!!!!
You may be wondering…what are Barb and Mary giving away?!? One charm pack of Amelia and one charm pack of Dilly Dally! There will be 2 lucky winners for this giveaway!
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| Image Courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop – also available for purchase there! |
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| Dilly Dally – Image Courtesy of Old Country Store Fabrics – also available for purchase there |
How can you enter?
1. Head over to Me & My Sister Designs and tell me what your favorite pattern is – one entry!
2. Head over to Me & My Sister Designs blog – say Hi & Tell them that we sent you! – come back here and tell me that you did. – one entry!
3. Go like us on Facebook – come back here and tell me that you did – one entry!
That is 3 possible entries! Woot! We like to give these great prizes to our faithful Brother Lovers so make sure you are a follower!
For an additional entry – blog, facebook, or tweet about this giveaway.
This giveaway will run from August 29th to September 4th – a winner will be announced on September 5th – Labor Day.
Good Luck!
I love the hopscotch pattern – so clever!
Great interview, and thanks for the chance to win!
Stephmabry_at(yahoo)dot*com
I like you on Facebook 🙂
Stephmabry_at(yahoo)dot*com
It's tough to pick a favorite, but I just love Frog Patch!
I love the hopscotch mat! that and the seeing spots quilt.
I popped on over to Me & My Sister's blog, which I've been following for a while, BTW. Thanks for the giveaway!
I already like you on Facebook
Easy as 10-11-12 would be my favourite pattern.
Just visited Me and My Sister Designs.
I like the Happy Dance quilt. 🙂
I like you on FB!
My favorite pattern would have to be either the Tipsy Quilt or Bella. I just love their fabrics and designs! Thanks for the chance to win some of their fabric! 🙂
I went and said Howdy Do at their blog. 🙂
My favorite has to be either Happy Dance or Spin Cycle. Thanks for hosting the giveaway! 😉
My favorite is Twigs.
I sure like the Village Bag Pattern.
Went and said Hey over at Me and My Sisters Design blog.
I like Bachelors Buttons!
I left a comment on their blog!!
I'm liking "Seeing Spots" – what a nice way to use circles!
What a great interview and giveaway! I like spin cycle
I visited the "Me & My Sister Designs" blog – said Hi & told them that you sent me!
I like the Orange Slices too because of the color but I really like the frog patch pattern. My grandma would love some of those.
I love the Leap Frog pattern. So cute!
I already like you on FB!
I really like the pattern FLIPPING OUT… so bright and eye catching!
Posted on Me & My Sister Designs blog, told them Love Affair With My Brother sent me 🙂
I already follow you on FB as Lostsoul Helpmejebus
I really love the Orange Slices pattern. Great give away!
I visited their blog and did some love spreadin'!
I visited Me and My Sister's blog and said Hi 🙂
Posted link on FB
https://www.facebook.com/groups/249856086765/#!/LostsoulHelpmejebus/posts/161519890595302
I really like the Charm Flys pattern. Actually I love them all, but if I had to choose one that would be the one.
(Amelia is my fave all time fabric!!)
My favorite pattern is Cake Walk
I like the Orange SLices pattern and the Juliet bag pattern. Can't decide which one I like the most.
Visited the Me and My Sister blog (already follow there!) and spread some love!
I love lots of the patterns – they're as much fun as their fabrics! One of my faves at the moment is Tipsy.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway 🙂
I like Oh my Darling.
I visited their blog. Such wonderful fabrics and designs! What a great giveaway! Thanks. 🙂
I've visited Me and My Sisters blog and told them you sent me.
I popped over to Barb and Mary's blog to say hi 🙂
Great giveaway! I added to Craft Buds 🙂
I already like you on Facebook.
Love Crumbs… Love Affair with my Brother sent me!!
I now like you on Facebook too.
Went to M&MS blog and left a hello comment.
already like you on FB
My favorite pattern is Happy Dance. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your great giveaway!
I love the zig zag design in the Easy as 7, 8, 9 pattern set. Their fabrics are all so happy and I love charm packs, so thanks for this chance!
MGM
I 'liked' you on FB (under Linda Gilli) 😀
Said hi to Barb and Mary over on their blog too!
MGM
"Like" you on facebook too!
MGM
i love the seeing spots quilt!
Just love their designs. I especially like Easy as 7 8 9.
Went to their blog and left a note! thanks!
Visited Barb & Mary's blog and told them I came from you. Actually, I've been a follower of theirs for a while now.
I "like" you on Facebook.
My favorite is Amelia. So bright and cherry.
Dona
http://www.worldofcharitystitching.blogspot.com
Left a message on their blog.
Dona
http://www.worldofcharitystitching.blogspot.com
Liked on Facebook. And placed you on our blog under Blogs, Sites & Things We Like
Dona
http://www.worldofcharitystitching.blogspot.com
Posted on Me and My Sister Designs!
My favorite pattern is Frog Patch. I also really like Happy Dance. Thanks for the giveaway!
I visited their blog and left some bloggy love.
Already "Like" you on FB
Shared on FB!
I like Check Your Flies, Bella and Happy Dance.
I posted on Me and My Sister's blog. ;o)
I follow your blog and like you on Facebook. Thanks.
I know this won't count as an entry, but I forgot to say that I absolutely LOVE Dilly Dally! I clicked on the shop link you left and it does not work. sigh…
I went and said hi to Me and my sister.
I liked Love Affair with my Brother on facebook!
Great interview! So fun to read.
My favorite pattern is the hopscotch! It is SEW cute 🙂
I went over there to tell them that you sent me. Now I'm back here from there. (Sounds like something the Cat In the Hat would do.)
I visited Me and My Sister and left them a comment.
I already follow you on facebook. Thanks for the giveaway.
I really like their Hopscotch pattern. Seeing Spots is a close second, though. I like their pictures — so fun!
I already like you on facebook!
Hmm – hopscotch pattern is the one that I like best
My favorite pattern is Bachelor Buttons. I really like the iron cozy pattern too.
I just left Me and my sister and left a comment.
Me & My Sister sent me here to you…now I am going back there to leave a comment. I love Happy Dance. I love being happy and dancing and this quilt makes me want to do both.
Just back from Me and My Sister,left them a comment and a thanks for the giveaway.
"Liked" you on FB and left a comment.
I really like almost all of the patterns at Me and My Sister but my 2 faves are Happy Dacne and (oh heck I just ordered it and now I forgot the name) the butterfly one. Thanks for taking your time to host the giveaway
Lots of cute patterns Easy as 7 8 9 is my favorite, that way I don't have to choose just one 🙂
Visited Me and My Sister and said Hi, Thanks for the giveaway!
I like you on FB.
Left a Hi! comment on Me and My Sister Designs blog …
My favorite pattern would be the Village Bag!
Already like you on FB
Went and said hello to Me and My Sisters!
My favorite pattern is: Twigs!
I said hi to Me and My Sister Designs!
I already like you on FB. 😀
I tweeted! @dlk3265
My favorite pattern is Bella. So beautiful!!!
I said Hi to Me and My Sister!
I love their patterns and have quite a few of them. Gosh, it's hard to pick, but since I'm into purses and totes right now, I think I will say Juliet. 🙂
I already follow you on Facebook. 🙂
My favorite pattern is the Juliet Bag
I posted a link on my blog about your giveaway. 🙂
Seeing Spots is my favorite pattern, so simple and sweet.
I already like you on FB. Thanks.
I left a comment at Me and My Sisters Blog.
I just popped over to their blog and said hello and that you sent me. 🙂
I popped over to their blog and said hello and that you sent me. 🙂
The Juliet Bag is definitely my favorite pattern!
I love the 7,8,9 and 10,11,12. I think its great to pack so much wonderful, flowery punch in to one pattern!
I left a comment (and follow) on the MMS blog!
Great giveaway! I already "like" you on FB.
I visited Me and My Sisters Designs and really like Orange Slices!
I left a comment on their blog, Thanks for the giveaway!
My favorite is #MMS20100023, three patterns in one… perhaps the fabric influenced my choice… 🙂
Just let the Sisters know I was visiting at your suggestion…
And I've liked you on Facebook… thanks for the giveaway opportunity, someone will be a lucky quilter!
Flipping out 🙂
I visited said hi – but totally forgot to say you sent me 🙂 I love those gals!
I liked you on Fb (Debbie Berenato)
I told Me and My Sister Design's Blog "hi"! and that you sent me!!
I'm liking your blog on Facebook! 🙂
I went and said Hello.
We liked you on FB as Margaret and Marcia – look for the butterfly.
I like Orange Slices.
I said hi to the gals!
My favorite pattern is Sweet Treats!
I like Love Affair with My Brother on Facebook!
I stopped in to Me and My Sisters' blog and said hello for you!
I visited Me and My Sister Designs and my favorite patters are the "Spin Cycle" and "Orange Slices".
Seeing Spots is very cute!
I posted a comment on Me and My Sisters' blog.
I already "liked" you on fb.
I love so many of "Me and My Sister" patterns, but my all time favorite is Baker's Square. I"ve made so many of those already!
I stopped by "Me and My Sister" blog and said Hi! Also said hi for you!
LEFT 'ME+MY SISTER' SOME LOVE!!!!!
THANKS SO FOR SHARING!
jldouglas@wispwest.net
I REALLY LIKE ALL THEIR PATTERNS, BUT I WILL CHOOSE 'LEMON BLUSH', AS MY FAVORITE!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
HAPPY DAY!
jldouglas@wispwest.net
I like Cherry Turnover best. Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to win for my group, World of Charity Stitching.
Thanks,
Peggy
http://keepmeinstitches-peggy.blogspot.com
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net
I really like the Hopscotch Pattern!!
I like the Lemon Blush pattern.
jane denny
rrjane011749@yahoo.com
left a comment on their blog! https://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/?p=10416&cpage=1#comment-12990
I'm a dog owner so I have to go with Nickel Dogs….so cute! The hopscotch pattern is pretty cool too!
I like you on FB!
Said "Hi" to Me & My Sister!
jane denny
rrjane011749@yahoo.com
Liked LAWMB on FB!
JANE DENNY
rrjane011749@yahoo.com
I visited Me and My Sister Designs shop and what I like is the Village Bag. I need a new bag and this design looks awesome.
I said a great big hello to Barb and Mary on their blog and thanked them for the giveaway. So nice!
I follow you already, I luv hopscotch. You are just having way to much fun.
Hopscotch is great (although growing up we called it 'potsy'…must be a NY thing!)
Said hello to Mary and Barb on their blog! Love their designs and fabrics.
I posted on the Me and My Sister blog–love their patterns and fabrics! Thanks for the info about them and the great giveaway!!
I left a little HELLO message at Sisters! I follow their blog on Reader. Thanks for the give away!
I like their Easy as 7…8…9… pattern.
I love the HAPPY DANCE! That's my catch phrase when things are going good! Thanks for the give away!
I like you on Facebook! Thanks so much!
It's hard to pick a favorite pattern, but I decided on Easy as 7-8-9; love the rick-rack look of one of the choices!!!
I "like" you on FB.
Went and said hello too.
I liked you on FaceBook!! How do I like you?? Let me count the ways! 🙂
I really love the midge bag and wonderful interview!
Debbie
I love all their designs but Birdie has to be my fav! S Warren
I went back to visit Me and My sister again to let them know that you sent me.
Debbie
I sent them my greeting and a monologue about fabric design.
I like Orange slices best too.
It was hard to choose just one favorite but I think it has to be Crumbs.
dedebake@aol.com
I tweeted about the giveaway here: !/BoutiqueUniquel
I told the girls over at Me & My Sister's Blog "Hi".
I now "Like" you on Facebook.
Easy As 10-11-12!
I liked your page in FB!
I already told them you sent me over and greet them "hello" 🙂
I like the "Tipsy" pattern.
I posted at Me & My Sisters blog.
IU like the hopscotch mat
I left a comment on their blog
I shared this giveaway on facebook
HI ! my favorite pattern : LEMON BLUSH
I left a comment on Me & My Sister's blog & told them YOU sent me over!
I already like you on facebook :
http://www.facebook.com/harleywife
I shared on facebook : I think I get an extra entry for that OR I JUST MESSED UP !!!
http://www.facebook.com/harleywife
My favorite pattern is Happy Dance. Love the way your eye moves around that quilt. Thanks for sharing.
I said hi on their blog and found out about a blog hop…what fun that will be. Thanks again.
I already like you on FB
I tweeted about your giveaway @gaprhonda
My favourite pattern is the Jelly Sandwich quilt.
Great interview! Thanks for sharing! I love the Nickle Dogs pattern:)
I went to the Me & My Sister Designs blog – said Hi & told them that you sent me there.
I like you on Facebook.
I have tweeted the giveaway.
I have facebooked the giveaway on my profile/home page.
I have blogged about the giveaway: http://craftedmadness.blogspot.com/2011/08/great-fabric-giveaway.html
I love the Hula Hoops Quilt and the Pinafore Bag. Couldn't decide between the two!
I left a comment over at Me & My Sister. I told them you sent me.
Love the bags and the Easy as 7..8..9 quilt pattern. Great patterns!
Have a super great day and thank you for this giveaway.
Visited Me and My Sister. Great and fun blog. Left a comment. Thank you for this giveaway. Love their fabrics.
Have a super great sewing and stitching day.
I visited Me and My Sister Blog and told them you sent me. Thanks for the chance to win some of their fabric.
My favorite pattern is "tipsy quilt." However, I love all of their bag patterns too.
Easy as 10-11-12 would be my favourite pattern.
I love their Hip To Be Squate quilt pattern. Great use of all the yummy colors!
Left a comment on Me and My Sister's blog. Thanks for the giveaway!
My favorite pattern is Spring Fling.
I left a comment on Me and My Sister's blog. Thanks for the chance to win.
I follow you on facebook.
My fave of their patterns is 'Crumbs'. All of them look fun.
Thanks for the chance!
I commented on their blog – told them it was a great interview. 😀
I 'like'd you on F'book.
And I tweeted about the giveaway at #quiltzyx.
the pattern "check your flies" really jumped out at me!
i'm a facebook fan already 🙂
Strawberry Lemonade and Crumbs, but I really, really like them all!
said hi on me and my sister blog 🙂
Visited Me and My Sister's blog. Thanks for the fun interview and giveaway.
I like the Tipsy Quilt Pattern!
Popped over to Me and My Sister and left a note!! Thanks again!
The frog patch pattern is too cute and perfect for crazy quilting! What a cute post this was!
Deb
I like the XOXO pattern. Looks doable for a beginner like myself. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.
I am already a follower of Me and My Sisters Designs. I did go there and left a comment. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.
I love their hopscotch pattern. thanks for chance to win.
i left a comment on me and my sister's blog. love their fabric!
Left a comment on Me and My Sister's blog.
My favorite pattern is Orange Slices and I also like Leap Frog. They have wonderful patterns.
I like you on Facebook . Thanks for a chance on the giveaway.
I like the Tipsy Quilt pattern.
I just said hello to Barb and Mary at their blog.
I can see myself carrying around the Pinafore Bag…so cute!
I really do love the let it snow line. I'm in such a christmasy mindset these days!
I love those charm pack projects out of the 3 times the charm book!!
I just said hi!! I love those ladies!!
I included your giveaway in my blog today:
http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2011/08/flowers-crossing-ocean.html
I love the Hampton tote purse pattern!
commented on their blog!
My favorite pattern is Jelly Sandwich.
I just love the Village Bag.
I went over to say Hi and let them know you sent me.
Easy Bake is my favorite pattern. I love Dilly Dally. I have only been able to find 2 of the three prints locally so would love to win a charm pack!
I said Hi at Me and my Sister's blog.
I love the Pinafore bag. I have the pattern and fabric all waiting for on the time factor 🙂 The Midge bag is cute too!
I love the cake walk pattern 🙂
I like you on facebook 🙂
Gosh, just ONE I like? That's a tough one since I love so many. My favorite as of now however, would have to be "Tipsy Quilt". I love the lines in this quilt.
I've been to thier blog and posted to their blog.
Thanks for the great interview.
I love the pattern called "Honeydew" — it is so cute! Thanks for the chance to win!
I left them some comment love! Thanks for the giveaway!
Because my FB page is for my "product" the OleFrogEyes site, I can't "like" you, but I added you to the favorites on my page, so my followers will see you there!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I love all the handbag patterns and a favorite quilt pattern is Bachelor Buttons – sweet!
I posted a comment on Me and My Sister's Blog and told them that you sent me over!! Thanks!
I 'like' Love Affair… on FB!
I tweeted your giveaway @mimistarquilter
I like the pattern for Lemon Blush — it's fun to use the precuts, and this uses jelly rolls.
I visited Me and My Sister and said that you sent me.
I love the Honeydew design. So cute!
I "said hello" to Me and My Sister. Great site!
Hope you don't mind having a new follower.. favorite pattern.. Happy Dance! 🙂
Went over to Me and My Sister's blog and left them a comment. 🙂
I liked the Tipsy Quilt
Liked you on Facebook. 🙂
Facebook'd about it while I was there. 🙂 Love the fabrics, thanks for having the giveaway.
my favourite pattern is the Juliet bag and i love the fabric it is made in and mon the 5th is my birthday,so i am keeping my fingers crossed,and thankyou for a chance.
Me and my sister sent me and thankyou for a chance to win this lovely prize,and monday the 5th is my birthday so i am keeping fingers and legs crossed.
I just blogged about your giveaway at
http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com/
Loving the Cherry Turnover pattern 🙂 The iron cozy is a close second tho!
I love the seeing spots pattern!
I happened into your blog tonight! And I happened into a bunch of Me and My Sister fabrics today and had to bring them home! What a coincidence! I had not been in a shop in a while, and went in for something completely different.
My favorite pattern is Tipsy Quilt.
I already like you on Facebook!
Said Hi to Mary and Barb!
I'm a fan on FB 🙂
I liked you on Facebook!
Check out my blog- you are on it!
http://lsquaredtoo.blogspot.com/
I love the pattern called Cake Walk though it was very hard to chose.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
I checked out the blog and left a comment.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
I love the hopscotch mat!
Posted on their blog.
Like you on FB.
My favorite pattern would be the Tipsy Quilt. There are so many cool patterns, it was a hard choice… 🙂
FB fan!
Left a comment on Me & My Sister's blog!
I like you on facebook! 🙂
Nickle Dog is so cute and I'm addicted to purchasing charm packs. So cute as unique.
I tweeted! !/Lealee33/status/109089004326105089
I love all their patterns (and fabric!) but I have seen their "Leap Frog" pattern made up and it is awesome!
My favorite pattern is the Tipsy Quilt. I've already got someone in mind that might love it!
I left a comment on the Me and My Sister blog telling them how much I love the Amelia line.
I've added you to my FB likes as well.
Kiss Me Kate & Happy Dance are my 2 favorite patterns ober at Me & My Sister's. Thanks for the chance to win 1 of their cool charms too.
I told Barb & Mary over at Me & My sisters just how much I kie their blog, their patterns, & their fabric!
I like all of Barb and Mary's patterns, but I guess that tonight I would choose "Happy Dance".
I left a comment for Barb and Mary over on their blog. I am a follower here. Thanks for the giveaway.
I "liked" you on Facebook.
Love the Spin Cycle pattern!! I'm a new GFC follower, too. Thanks for the chance to win!
aimee @
justkiddingaroundatlanta
Sweet Baby Jane would be my favorite as I really like traditional patterns. They are all so fun, though!
I just left a comment on Me & My Sister's blog to say Hi.
Thanks for the opportunity!
My favorite pattern from Me & My Sister changes all the time…today it's Honeydew 🙂
I left a comment for Barb and Mary, too 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
JELLY SANDWICH is one of my favorite patterns from Me and My sister's
dsmenke(at)yahoo(dot)com
I left a comment on me and my sisters…
thank you
dsmenke(at)yahoo(dot)com
Wow. It's so difficult to pick just one pattern, but I'm really loving that Juliet. Thanks so much for the chance!
I Stopped over at Me and My Sister. They seem like super wonderful people! thanks again.
I liked you on fb.:-)
I left a comment on Me & My Sisters blog. I lhave been stalking I mean following them for a while.
I love the Amelia tempting turquoise mini flower pattern. The Daisy is one of my favorite flowers and this reminds me of them.
tylerlauragates@yahoo.com
my first choice is Bella and then honeydew
left comment on Me and My Sister's blog. I also have it saved as my favorite place. I enjoyed the visit and will have to go back.
I now like me and my sister on FB as Bonnie Coleman