Featured Etsy Shop: MHD Designs & Giveaway!

- This giveaway has ended. Winner announced here. -

Welcome to our second Etsy feature with the well known Magalie Dawson, creator of MHD Designs. She has graciously provided a free pattern download for one lucky reader as the giveaway to celebrate this post.

The interview is presented first with the giveaway is at the end of the post.

MHD = Magalie Houle Dawson

~Interview with Magalie Dawson of MHD Designs~

Cecile: Bonjour mes amies! Today we are introducing you to a very talented designer who creates museum quality outfits for many types of dolls, including American Girl, that are très exquis, very exquisite!

Sam: She has been sewing since she was a child and not only creates beautiful outfits for dolls but Big People as well, such as ballet dancers!

Cecile: Oui Samantha, and we must not forget, her design entry for an international competition was even selected to represent Canada on a Fashion Runway in Paris! C’est très excitant! J’amie Paris!

Lilly: Her one of a kind outfits are incredibly embellished and detailed, and are loved by all who see these pieces of fashion art. She has even created patterns from some of her designs to inspire other seamstresses to create for their dolls.

Sam: Presenting the incredibly skilled and talented designer, Ms. Magalie Dawson from MHD Designs!

Cecile: Merci, Ms. Dawson, for joining us today and answering some questions for us! We know you are very busy with a new project so I will try not to take up too much time. My first question is, why did you decide to design for American Girl dolls?

MHD: When I founded MHD Designs in 1999, the AG dolls were not as much an adult collector doll yet, and I was not offering any patterns for them at the time.  When I started offering patterns in 2006, many collectors started asking for patterns for the AG line to sew for their daughter's dolls. That’s when I fell in love with them! If they existed in my childhood, I would have been in heaven to own one (or two, or three)!  They are the perfect little models, and have a huge audience.  

Layers and layers of silk rushings and pleated trim on "À La Française".

Lilly: That’s right! Ms. Dawson, you not only design for American Girl, but you also design for other doll lines like Little Darling, Ellowyne, Kaye Wiggs, Dollfie, MyTwinn and more. With all the different dolls in such a variety of sizes you design for, what are some adjustments you have to keep in mind between the different dolls? For example, do certain styles or designs look less flattering on certain dolls?
MHD: When I start a new project I try to consider the age group the doll is, and also her construction. Many designs for a fashion doll such as Ellowyne would not work for a little girl type of doll.  But I think that most of the time, any designs can be made to work for any types of models, as long as the end result is pleasing to the eyes.

Sam: How excellent! That means we have just as many options as other dolls to model your lovely ensembles. Do you have a favorite time period or style to design and make outfits for Ms. Dawson?
MHD: I love all time periods!  But I am attracted to design ensembles with lots of embellishments, ruffles, embroideries and volume, and usually include this for any time periods I work on.

Intricate embroidery detail on "Jardin de Provence".

Cecile: C’est vrai, Ms. Dawson’s outfits are un fameux, famous, for the level of detailed embellishments, embroidery detail, ruffles, and other decorations. It is what makes her outfits stand out and so unique! Now I know you sell your one of a kind outfits through eBay but in addition to that, you also have patterns you designed which you sell through many venues, including Etsy. What is different from creating an outfit and making a pattern?
MHD: This is a very good question!  When I design a new pattern, I make a "pattern proof" of the ensemble to use for the cover page of the pattern, then usually sell it on eBay.  I have to be very careful of the choice of fabric and trims I use for this, as the fabrics needs to be easy to find for the seamstress to use for the pattern.  At the same time, I try to use fabrics that are discontinued but of a type that is easy to find.  I do not encourage the seamstress to find the exact same fabrics and trims because it would not be fair for the collector who purchase the pattern proof ensemble.  When I design a one of a kind ensemble, I use hard to find fabrics and trims, and intricate sewing techniques.  A Pattern proof can take three to four days to finish, but a one of a kind ensemble sometimes take up to a month of work.

Lilly: That’s incredible! One month? And I thought a two day project was long. While working on such long projects, do you ever get a creative block? If so, how do you overcome it?

MHD: It is rare that this happens, I always have two or three projects going on my table.  But when my work table is cleared of all projects, and I do not know exactly what I want to do next, I can always work on resizing an existing pattern for another size doll.

Hundreds of beads were sewn onto "Vert Tendre".

Sam: It sounds as if you keep yourself pretty occupied with your projects, but with so many ideas and projects on your table, can you tell us what your favorite and least favorite part of what you do is?

MHD: I love pretty much all parts of the work I do!  I suppose that the part I dislike the most is not having enough time to do all of what I would like to accomplish!  I do this for a living, and have family obligations at the same time.  So it is always a struggle to finish projects in time.

Cecile: Nous étions si excites, we were so excited Ms. Dawson, to see that you reopened your Etsy shop recently, and offer your AG patterns there, as well as patterns for Little Darlings and Ellowyne dolls. We are all very curious to know what plans do you have for your shop in the near future?
MHD: Many plans!  I would love to offer some fabric and trim "kits" to use for the patterns, and also offer "ready to wear" separates and ensembles for the AG dolls.  I am hoping to have a Spring collection ready to offer by the beginning of April (if time allows...).

Look at the rich colors and details on these two pelisses from "Rosings Park" and "Pemberly".

Lilly: That sounds like a fantastic idea! I know we at L&L are really looking forward to seeing your Spring collection, as well as the ready to wear separates.

Sam: Yes, and the ready make fabric and trim kits are a wonderful idea, especially for those who have some difficulty with picking and matching fabrics and trims, or have trouble finding high quality fabrics. 
Lilly: You’re talking about our Person aren’t you Sam?

Cecile: Mais oui bien sûr! Of course! We are coming to the end of our interview Ms. Dawson. I believe that is our last questions. Is–
Lilly: Wait Cecile, Lissie told us not to for the 1 word bonus.
Sam: Oh you are right Sawako Lilly! She will never forgive us if we forget.
Lilly: Ms. Dawson, the 1 word bonus is beef or bananas?
MHD: Beef!

Cecile: Now before we close, is there any advice you would like to share with the readers? 
MHD: Never be afraid to try a pattern!  Sometimes they look more complicated than they really are.  And I am always happy to help!

Even her modern outfits are embellished with a high degree of embroidery, pleats, and other intricate details characteristic of her style, such as this mix and match outfit "Secret Garden".

Sam: She really is! Ms. Dawson is excellent about offering advice and assistance if you have any questions while using one of her patterns. They may look intimidating but each pattern comes with very detailed, color photo instructions to walk you through.

Lilly: Thank you so much for coming to spend some time with us today and answering our questions! We enjoyed speaking with you and learning more about MHD Designs as well as upcoming plans for your Etsy store. For our readers who want to learn even more about Ms. Dawson, you can click here to visit her website where she has answers to a few more questions under the patterns link. You can also admire the gallery of her past creations as well! If you want still more of MHD Designs, you can follow her at the links below:

Website - http://dolloutfits.com/

Etsy Store - https://www.etsy.com/shop/vtdawson

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/MHD-Designs-Fashion-Sculpture-for-Dolls/226998214055816?fref=ts

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/vtdawson 

EBay - http://www.ebay.com/usr/vtdawson 

Cecile: Merci beaucoup Ms. Dawson! Now that you have seen her beautiful outfits, perhaps you would like to try to create one yourself from one of her patterns? We will now go to Lydia Charlotte, Marie-Grace, and our fearless Lissie for details about our giveaway!

~Giveaway~

Lissie: Come on you guys, look sharp! It’s our turn at last!

Lydia: Why are you helping with the giveaway Lissie? I thought you preferred to do interviews?
Lissie: Cause to live is to give! Now what are we giving away? Fire? Excitement? Unlimited chocolate?

MG: Even better! Ms. Dawson has generously agreed to give one lucky winner their favorite MHD Designs pattern from her Etsy shop.

Some examples of the beautiful patterns in her store for you to pick from.

Lissie: Their favorite pattern? But how will she know which is their favorite? Is she a mind reader???

MG: Non Lissie! Ms. Dawson is un genie, a genius, but not a psychic.

Lydia: We are asking everyone who wants to enter to visit her Etsy store and comment with their favorite pattern and why. Then one person will randomly be selected and they will receive the pattern they put down as their favorite.

The patterns are all so creative and detailed with clear color photos of instructions to help you create your own version of these extraordinary outfits.

Lissie: Well bladderdash, that sounds perfectly organized. Where’s the chaos?

MG: Ce n’est pas le chaos. It will not be chaos Lissie, it will be safe and fun, with no purchase necessary.

Lissie: Hmmm… I don’t really associate those two words.

Lydia: The winner will get their favorite pattern emailed to them and it is open to everyone over the age of 13. If you are under 13, please ask your parents or guardians to enter for you.

Lissie: But we’re not even 13! Or are we?

Lydia: The catalog said we were timeless Lissie. Please don’t forget to put your name with your comment! If you do not have a Google+ account, you can select the “Name/URL” option which will let you put in your name.

Lissie: Bony chance everyone!

MG: Lissie, are you trying to say bonne chance, good luck?

Lissie: … Sure… that’s exactly what I was saying…

The giveaway will run from Feb. 9 - Feb. 19 (midnight Central USA time).

To enter:

Visit MHD Designs' Etsy Store by clicking here. Share with us your favorite pattern in her shop and why. (theme, design, style, time period, etc.). 

For bonus entries:

Favorite MHD Designs' Etsy store. (include username in comment for verification)

"Like" MHD Designs on Facebook (click here to go to the page) (include username in comment for verification)
"Like" Lissie & Lilly on Facebook (click here to go to the page) (include username in comment for verification)

Follow/Google+ this blog. (If you are already a follower/google+, just comment with your account. ^_^)

Share about this giveaway on social media (Facebook, Your Blog, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, Google+, Pintrest, other forums, etc.) - Be sure to include the link(s) to your post(s) in your comment so we can verify where you shared. 

*max 9 additional entries*

The winners will be announced in 2 weeks on Friday, February 20th on this post, so check back then! ^_^