Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Book Party Was a Success!

 
On Saturday night, a crew of fabulous guests came to The Sewing Studio to help me celebrate my book release. It was a grand time! Above you'll see me and my parents, who came all the way from Arizona. Attendees raised $800 in donations for Pets Alive!

Mom put all the gift bags together, which had goodies from sponsors The Sewing Studio, Kollabora, Creativebug, Coats and Clark, and STC Craft


I set up a little display at the entry with my half-scale dress form, which I draped in rose fabric. My publishers sent me the lovely flowers! I completed the effect with a bowl of Coats and Clark thread in the color "Lipstick" (how appropos!). 

Jeff set up the bar. 

Here's me and the fabulous Ava from Creativebug getting ready. 

Some dresses on display. I wore the strapless party dress from the book, which is embroidered black organdy with a silk taffeta lining. Festive!


Jeff bought me a cake with the book cover on it!

It got crowded! Dad says I never shut my mouth the entire party, as evidenced in the below shot.
 

Friends came from near and far.
 Mom with guest Darby, who wore an adorable plaid frock she made.
There were lots of super cool bloggers there. I wish I had pictures of all of them to show you. Speaking of which, if you were there and got some pictures, please send them my way! I was apparently too busy running my mouth to get good shots. Oh, and signing books!

Thanks to all who came out; you made it an amazing evening!

77 comments:

  1. Congrats on your lovely book party! I've been pouring over my copy of your book and I can't wait to sew everything in it!

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  2. Congrats!! Love your patterns and blog. Gearing up for the sew along. Are you planning any more book signings around the country?

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    1. Hi Laura! I will be in Novi, MI, at the end of this month. And hopefully LA in early 2013. Hope to meet you soon!

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    2. Great! Maybe I'll see you in LA next year.

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  3. Such a fun party-- thanks for throwing it! Congrats again on the book-- I'm loving it and having a tough time deciding what to make first!

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  4. Congrats Gertie! I've enjoyed following your successes over the past couple of years and I've learned so much from your blog! Your book is on my Christmas list!

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  5. Looks like a good night! The pic with your parents is so cute!

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  6. Congratulations! I got my book last week (the week before?), and I can't wait to carve out some time to stitch up a few dresses!

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  7. Awe! So wish I could gave gone. Thanks for the pics, looks like everyone was having fun. Congrats again Gertie on your outstanding book!

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  8. Congratulations! It looks as if everyone had fun. I would have loved to have been there.

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  9. Congratulations on the launch. Wish I could of been there!

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  10. Looks fabulous! I wish I could have been there!

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  11. Congrats Gertie - it looks like your launch party was a huge success . Your book is on my Christmas lst also!

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  12. It was great fun!! And the cake was so YUMMY!! It was so nice to see some of the projects in person and get to chat a bit with you and some very, very cool sewing bloggers!!

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    1. Right?! Isn't that cake amazing?! I could eat it everyday! Glad you had a good time. :)

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  13. So glad it all went well. What a brilliant cake! I loved the plaid dress your guest Darby wore.

    Any chance of a second book sometime down the line?

    Linda xx

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  14. What a darling you are, thank you for posting the updates! I feel like I was there! Love your frock, you look beautiful. So special to see your mom on board, too. Xx

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  15. Congrats! I´m from Sweden and I've ordered your book and can't get it soon enough! I'm looking forward to get inspired to sew some fab dresses!

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  16. Congratulations Gertie! I am treating myself to my copy of your book as a reward for sticking to my exercise plan: now just have to do that.

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    1. Oh you should totally reward yourself! I know how hard an exercise plan can be! :) Get some new fabric too.

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  18. Congratulations! So glad you had an amazing ight.

    http://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/

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  19. Had a great time! I'm so glad you raised money for the animals.

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  20. I'm so thrilled for you! I have started into the book, and so far I love it! I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it to your party, but I'm so glad it was a smashing success. You deserve it! :)
    xox

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  21. What a great pic with your parents...and your dress is absolutely gorgeous!!!

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  22. Congratulations! It's a wonderful book and it looks like you had a great party.

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  23. Sorry for the off-topic question, but I have bought your sewing book, and have a question. When pad stitching collars, is the pad stitching supposed to show on the other side? I am unsure. I was confused because I now live in a state which gets quite cold in winter, and turning up collars for protection against the cold is an option, but if I got this stitching showing....
    Nadine (btw....LOVE the book! And the patterns are sooo cute!)

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    1. Hi there! The pad stitching usually shows as little puckers on the collar underside--you should not see thread. If that bothers you, I would recommend using fusible interfacing instead. So glad you are enjoying the book!

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  24. Had a great time at the book launch, Congratulations on your book, cannot wait to make my first project, loved the dress and the cake.

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  25. You look so adorable! The party looks like such a blast, congratulations Gertie!!!

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  26. That would have been amazing. Congratulations again! <3

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  27. I've been following your blog since 2009 and I'm thrilled that you've managed to turn your passion into your career. I got a copy of your book last week and it's wonderful, very aesthetically pleasing and great info and patterns. Can't wait to get started sewing! Glad your party went well, you looked so pretty.

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  28. Congratulations! And, gorgeous dress. Bravo on a job well done. You've worked hard to get where you are, and it's very inspiring.

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  29. Congrats on the party!! You look GORGEOUS! it's awesome to see that dress in action; it looks even better than in the book.... which I'm really loving, btw!! :)

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  30. Congrats, you look like you had a blast!! I can't wait to read your book it's on my Christmas list!!

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  31. Looks amazing, the dresses are fabulous. I've jsut been pleading with my friend to hurry up with your book so I can get a look at it, she's being very selfish!!

    xx

    sittingonherbumbaleerie.blogspot.co.uk

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  32. Gertie congratulations on your beautiful, informative, useful book! I pre-ordered and when I finally got the book yesterday I couldn't wait to begin to read it - it was a very late night indeed! I love that you included metric measurements for us non-Americans!

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  33. Oh I'm so pleased for you honeybee. You deserve every last bit of success that comes your fabulous-self's way :)

    Claire
    xxx

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  34. Looks like it was a fabulous party!
    I'm still waiting impatiently for my copy, due next week I think.

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  35. I can't wait to make one of the dresses in your book for my 17 year old daughter! You are so talented and such an inspiration!

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  36. Awwww! I love the picture of you and your parents. I can see where you got your looks and style. The party looks to have fab. Your party dress is beautiful and retro! Congratulations on a great lauch and book signing. The next time I see you two, I will be hoping to get your autographs in your new books.

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  37. Oh how I wish I could have been there! Have had your book on pre-order since you first announced it and I was very excited when it arrived a couple of weeks ago. May I congratulate you on a fanstatic piece of work! The garments are all beautiful, the techical instructions are clear and provide a wealth of information that you just don't find in a lot of other sewing books out there and I just adore the vintage style illustrations throughout the book. All in all completely fab. Well done!

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  38. Congratulations on publishing your book! I can't wait to get my grubby little mitts on my very own copy.

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  39. Should I say it one more time? Congratulations!! I didn't realize you were on PBS' It's Sew Easy. I'll have to start watching! Off to buy your book...enjoy the ride! :)

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  40. It was great meeting you in person, Gertie! Thank you for signing my book.

    Some pictures from the event are here:
    http://www.meladori.com/shesinfashion/2012/09/gerties-book-launch-party/

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  41. Congrats!! It looks like it was a wonderful event! You go girl!!

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  42. I'm so happy that the party was a success, and even happier to see your Dad looking good and healthy, after all he's gone through! Congratulations to the whole family!!!
    Rebeca (Spain)

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  43. Congrats! Sorry I missed it, was on vacation! You look fantastic!

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  44. Congratulations! It's all so exciting, I can't wait to pick up my own copy. Looks like a great party~

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  45. Beautiful dress!! Congratulations on your new book =D

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  46. Gertie,

    I LOVE your book. ordered boning, petersham ribbon, etc. to work up vintage fabrics from a friend. Looks like your party rocked. YAY!

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  47. Wow! This dress is gorgeous!
    Congratulations on your new book!

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  48. Congrat on your book signing!! I am so happy for you and I'm glad I found your blog. You have inspired me sew again!!! I wish I could of been at this your party, it looks like the place to be!!!

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  49. So awesome, congrats on the book and fun party!

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  50. Congratulations! This is well deserved success.

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  51. Congratulations! I wish I could have been at the party. Hope to get your book soon

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  52. I was very happy to return from work today to find your book in the mail. I really like your conversational writing style, the clear instructions on garment construction and the photographs showing the internals of the garments. Congratulations on a wonderful and inspirational book.

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  53. oh how fun and special!!!!! looks like a great time was had by all. the cake is super cool. the gift bags, deco, your dress - everything looked perfect! wishi was state side and could go to a book signing.
    i am going to get this book for myself when i manage to save a little money - doing your coat sewalong has put me back a little for my crafting budget for a couple of months ;)

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  54. fun, fun, fun!!
    congratulations once again!!

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  55. Gertie, where is that rose fabric from?? So beautiful (as is everything else in this post!).

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  56. Gertie! Suck a nice party, but oh, the dress! It is wonderful!!! And you say it is in the book??? I am reading it cover to cover, of course, but I am still in the techniques part. I will make it no doubt, it is simply gorgeous! I'm realyy livng your book too.
    Congrats!

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  57. Congratulations on the success! I have looked at the book... it is inspiring. I am new to blogging and found your blog on a bunch of peoples blog rolls.. YOU are inspiring... I love it... thanks for following your passion, it makes it seem plausible and POSSIBLE for me too! I am hoping to purchase the book... soon. I just recently moved and I have A LOT of books... right now, just overwhelmed! (oh, and I agree, the cake IS super COOL!)

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  58. Looks like such good fun! Love the cake!

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  59. Got your book today by mail. I absolutely LOVE it!! Liz

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  60. YEAH GRETCHEN! the party looks like it was a blast-- i was in SEA airport, and i seriously almost convinced the airline to switch us to an early flight. had my bombshell in my carryon.

    can't wait to make something up from your beautiful book :)

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  61. Congratulations on your new published book. I wish I could have one. It's a good timing that I also want to buy sewing machines.

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  62. Love the book and seems like a wonderful party:D

    The only problem is that according to your sizing I'm a size 10 in everything but my hips that fit into size 6.... Luckily the book has everything I need to remedy that:D

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  63. congratulations Gretchen and thanks for bringing the party here. I feel like I actually attended. It looks like FUN!!

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  64. Your book arrived and I've started to read it from A to Z .
    I must be one of you oldest fans (in age), and this book is rekindling my interest in how I dress, looking nice, and trying out new ideas.
    I'm not going to join the coat project as the style is just not right for me, but I'm going to use your techniques to make another coat like the "cocoon" style I made last year, and also make a winter dress with Vogue vintage pattern I've bought.
    Thanks so much!

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  65. Congratulations Gertie. Everything looked so pretty. I love your black polka dot dress. :D

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  66. Wish I could have attended! Do a book signing in San Francisco next! I pre-ordered your book and have made the Bow Tie blouse with Peter Pan collar so far. I LOVE IT! It's just the cutest damn thing ever, especially with the vintage buttons up the back.

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  67. Parabéns! fico muito feliz por você, tenha certeza que tu tens uma fã aqui no Brasil, eu...bjs

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  68. Hi Gertie!
    Your blog is amazing.
    I'm looking for a pattern for the kind of dress you were wearing in this article. The black and white strapless dress is just so cute and I would like to make my bridal dress looks the same (just more white/ivory than black).
    Could you please tell me where I can find it?

    I also wanted to know what are the patterns presented in your book (or an idea: skirts, dresses, pants...) because in France and Germany I can'y find a store where I can buy your book. Amazon is the only option but I wanted to scan a bit the book before buying it.

    Sorry for my english, I'm french ;)
    And thanks for your blog, I love it!

    Domi

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    1. Hi Domi, the pattern for the strapless dress is included with my book. If you'd like to preview more of the book, you can check out this Flickr set:
      http://www.flickr.com/photos/34967485@N07/sets/72157630667562742/

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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