20 Minutes with Christine Jonson

The most amazing thing happened to me yesterday afternoon and it started with an email.  Seriously a simple email with a version of a title that I've probably read at least a dozen times...but this time...this time it was special!

Let's start at the beginning so you will understand why I was so excited when I received the email.  About a dozen years ago I began my foray into the internet sewing community.  I started with the mailing lists on Quiltropolis and moved onto the sewing forum, Sewing World (the precursor to Stitchers Guild).  It was there that my eyes were really opened to what kind of sewist I could become because the forum consisted of not only sewists but patternmakers, designers and entrepreneurs...people actively engaged in making their living from their sewing talents.

One of the participants on this board was Christine Jonson.  She sold this awesome cotton/lycra knit fabric and these really kewl patterns.  She had a devoted band of followers and I loved seeing the pictures of the outfits they constructed and reading about their sewing journeys.  However, my interest was really piqued when Kathryn (I Made This!) made a couple of Christine's Swing Jackets.  I think Kathryn has made three in total but it was this one, that caused me to purchase the pattern.

At the time, I  purchased not only the Swing Jacket

but the Swing Shirt too...

Both of these patterns worked for the business casual atmosphere of the job I had at that time.  But as you all are aware, I moved on to a more conservative workplace and sadly neither of these patterns were made.

So now that you have the backstory, here is the part that made my day!  I received an email from Christine where she asked me if I would be interested in reviewing a pattern and her fabric on my blog.  She said a couple of nice things about the blog and that she has read it off and on for the last year.  Now that sentence alone made my heart beat a little faster...*LOL*  She left her email address and her phone number, so I called her.  Seriously, picked up the phone from work and called expecting to leave a message and have her call me back.

But I had forgotten that small business owners are generally in their place of business and ready and willing to speak with their customers!  Silly me!  Christine comes to the phone and spends 20 minutes with me discussing the type of pattern that would work for my needs.  Never once did she try to steer me to one of her popular or new patterns...the emphasis was on what would work for me.  Then we discussed fabric.  OMG!  I was smiling so wide that several of my co-workers later asked me who I was talking to...but seriously people talking to Christine Jonson about what fabric works best with what pattern...heaven!  *LOL*

So decisions were made, a pattern chosen, fabric picked and I'm sure that it's all winging its way to me as you read this.  Here's what I want you to know...not only was Christine gracious and helpful to me, but she will be the same way with you!  If you visit her site, Christine Jonson Patterns, and have a question regarding the fabric or her patterns, she is available to you via email and phone, too.

Don't forget that Christine's patterns are featured in this month's (June/July 2011) Threads.  The article is called, "Sew a Mix & Match Summer Wardrobe" and features several of Christine's patterns and fabrics.  It is a step by step tutorial on how to get 10 great and easy summer garments.  Christine also has a Facebook page and a twitter account, so you can follow her at both.  If you just want to see pictures of her garments made up, Christine has a Flickr account showing her patterns made up and modeled.

Finally, yes I'm promoting her products!  Christine is a designer that I've admired for years who produces a quality product.  I'm glad that she reached out to me to try one of her patterns, because I hadn't really looked at her site, prior to the Threads article, in some time.  There are a few additional patterns I'd like to try, as well as, several pieces of her fabrics that would work well in my corporate wardrobe.  But here's the kicker, most of you don't live in my work-world and the selection is even greater and more far reaching for you. 

If you are a follower of Christine Jonson, and have used her fabrics and patterns, would you kindly leave a comment and tell us why you like her products?  Would you speak to the quality of the fabric?  How the patterns work for you?  And her customer service?  The rest of us would so appreciate any info you can pass along!  Thanks!

I will have several follow-up posts as I go through the construction process for the dress.  I can guarantee you that my opinions will be truthful and not swayed at all by this opportunity...so stay tuned as the journey continues...

...as always, more later!