In one of those freaky blogland deals, and not for the first time, Amanda and I would appear to have been on the same wave length today. Although she totally beat me to it this time (and her set is absolutely gorgeous, of course!!!).
For the last month I've been working on an update of my Princess and the Pea sets. I first designed them a couple of years ago and although I've tweaked the design here and there it's been long overdue a real update.
My starting point for the new version was the tote. I've always been happy with the idea of the set including a tote to store it all safely in (and to make it portable) but back when I first made them I didn't have access to the same beautiful fabrics that are available now, and had yet to really discover the joys of linen.
My worry though in changing the tote from a patchwork one to a linen one was that it would look to plain and wouldn't be befitting of a Princess. So I was really pleased a few weeks ago when I had the (very) sudden idea to turn the pocket in to a pile of mattresses, with an embroidered pea.
This means that the bag is still bright and colourful (especially with the lining) and that when the princess is in her pocket she looks like she's in bed. This little detail has completed the design for me in a way that I haven't felt has happened before, it's always felt a little half baked.
The set itself is really labour intensive, with the dress being handsewn (with tiny inset sleeves, am I crazy???) and the hair also being sewn by hand, not to mention the 10 mattresses to cut and and quilt, plus the handed felted pea and mini bag. So they're not hugely cost effective, but sometimes I just think that you need to ignore that if it's a design that you want to keep making because it means some thing to you.
Almost every child I know has been bought or given one of these sets. Our village is swamped with them and I have honestly been introduced in the past as the Lady That Makes The Princess and the Pea Set!
Which is one of the reasons that I keep making them regardless of their profit margin. When you receive such good feedback from people that have very little interest in what you do (I have a lot of friends that don't get the whole sewing/crafting/designing thing!) I think it's worth doing just for the love of it.
And now that I've finally come up with a finished design that makes me even happier with it, there's no stopping me. Not necessarily a great business plan, but hell, if I was in it just as a business I'd have given up years ago and gone out and gotten myself a real job!
You can see more pics of the set here and you can buy one from here.
That is awesomely cute!
Posted by: Vonnie | April 30, 2009 at 07:28 PM
bonjour! c'est très joli
Posted by: gédane | April 30, 2009 at 07:35 PM
I thought of your set when I was reading Soulemama this morning!
Posted by: jess | April 30, 2009 at 07:40 PM
So, so cute!!! No granddaughters here yet, but I know where to go when they do come!!!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | April 30, 2009 at 07:46 PM
That is so beautiful! Your design is just perfect! To the Lady that Makes the Princess and the Pea Set:)!!!
Posted by: Francesca | April 30, 2009 at 07:47 PM
Sweet! And I love that you're making them with your heart and not your head. And how sad for the people you know who don't get the craft thing...how much happier they'd be if they did! ;-)
Posted by: Laura A. | April 30, 2009 at 07:52 PM
That is so lovely! Is it wrong that I want to buy one for myself? ;)
Posted by: Nicola | April 30, 2009 at 07:59 PM
I'd like to be five years old... I'd like to write it on my birthday-list... I'd like to play with the Princess on the Pea... CONGRATULATION !
Posted by: LeLo | April 30, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Lovely idea - and cute fabrics! It's true - sometimes you just have to follow your heart with sewing or crafting.
Posted by: Sue | April 30, 2009 at 08:49 PM
Gorgeous!
Posted by: Katy | April 30, 2009 at 08:55 PM
How sweet!!! Have you considered selling a pattern? I'd love to make one of these someday. :)
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 30, 2009 at 08:57 PM
They are so lovely. Such beautiful fabrics
Posted by: Rachel | April 30, 2009 at 09:14 PM
so beautiful!! i know my babygirl will want one one day, but we should master sitting up and not eating all the toys first!!
Posted by: claire | April 30, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Hi Manda, I was just telling someone about your Princess and the Pea set the other day. I posted about your selvedge pin cushion pattern in Quiltmaker magazine yesterday. I can't stop making them. I am up to 5 now. Thanks for the inspiration and the pretty photos. I love everything you design.
Posted by: Vicki | April 30, 2009 at 11:43 PM
What a seriously cute design - the linen tote is the perfect accompaniment!
Posted by: Lisa | May 01, 2009 at 01:00 AM
We still love our princess and the pea set.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | May 01, 2009 at 01:44 AM
I love your princess and the pea sets....in fact, when I look at the Princess and the Pea fabric in Heather Ross's new line - it always makes me think of your cute sets :-)
Posted by: Amber | May 01, 2009 at 03:20 AM
Very special! What a great gift for a little Princess
Posted by: Kate Dixon | May 01, 2009 at 03:34 AM
Wow - the set is so sweet, and I love the look of the Princess, too. Absolutely adorable!
Posted by: mek | May 01, 2009 at 03:42 AM
This is so sweet. I haven't even gotten around to making my daughter the single rag doll I've been planning, for, um, about half a year now...
(I have a lot of friends and family that don't get the whole sewing / crafting thing, either...)
Posted by: UK lass in US | May 01, 2009 at 04:57 AM
Very cute-I adore it!~Smiles~Tam!
Posted by: Tam | May 01, 2009 at 05:05 AM
This is fab! I just did the third in a series of embroidered baby comforters based on nursery rhymes/fairy tales - first came Little Red Riding Hood, followed by the 3 Little Pigs and the last one was The Princess and the Pea - she is popping up all over the place!
Posted by: Di | May 01, 2009 at 07:45 AM
It is lovely!!! As Elizabeth it would be nice if you sell the pattern.
Posted by: mariarrosa | May 01, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Sorry, As Elizabeth SAID it would be nice if you sell the pattern.
Posted by: mariarrosa | May 01, 2009 at 08:33 AM
I just adore these! The new design is perfect : )
Posted by: jerusalem G | May 01, 2009 at 02:09 PM