We're live and running, y'all!

Bella Sunshine Designs is live, UP, and RUNNING!


 

We're up and running, and YOU are reading our first post!!  Thank you! So since you are here, let me tell you a little bit about me...

My name is Melissa Prendergast, and I'm the owner of Bella Sunshine Designs.  I'm a mother of two of the most beautiful girls on the planet.  Not that I'm biased or anything, I mean, look at the photo below and judge for yourself.

Lilly 3 Months-003See, I told you that they are cuties.  My youngest, Lilly, is 4 months old, and my oldest, Isabella, is 2 years old.  I love to sew for them.  Actually, I would say 99% of everything I make is for them.  Something about Isabella's face lighting up when she sees whatever it is that I've sewn up is what makes me not want to ever stop making things for her.  That's pretty much how this business was created, but let me take a step back first.

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In The Beginning


This is my lovely grandmother.  When I was 9 years old, she taught me how to sew. I was your typical 9 year old in the sense that I was a little impatient (my husband would say that hasn't changed much.)  I hated how she would make me take all these extra steps while sewing.  Baste this.  Staystitch that.  And I felt like she made me do so much hand sewing.  I hated the extra stuff, but sewing was still fun to me.  So I did as she asked, and we spent the summer together sewing my entire school wardrobe.  I had handmade lined pleated skirts and shift dresses with matching hats.  It was a lot of fun. Looking back, I'm so thankful she made me take all the extra steps in order to sew properly, not just quickly. My clothes always turned out great.

Ever since that summer when I turned 9, I have kept sewing.  My grandmother not only taught me how to sew, but how to draft.  Her sister was a professional dressmaker and passed the knowledge on to her.  When I turned 13, we had career day at school.  They asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I immediately said that I wanted to be a fashion designer.  I still remember the look on the counselor's face.  I might as well have said I wanted to be Beyonce.  She flat out said that the only way I could ever become a fashion designer was to move to New York City.  The thought of leaving my family broke my heart.

The Dream is Still Alive


Fast forward... ahem... several years later to the present day.  As the mom of two kiddos, the draw to be a designer still tugged at my heart.  I would make something for my girls, and people on the street would ask me where I got it.  I would swell with pride.  It was my design.  Something completely unique.  And I wanted to share the love.

Ever get that feeling when your child is wearing something that you hand crafted with so much love, and a stranger, someone that is in no way shape or form aware of how fabulous you are, tells you how adorable their outfit is??  I love that feeling.  I live for that feeling. The best part of being a pattern designer is getting to see other people experience that with my own pattern line.  I have absolutely loved watching my testers sew up my designs and put their own spin on things.  For real, you guys are so creative!  I love how I can create a pattern, and you can run with it and make it even more amazing.  I get some of the best ideas ever from the sweet people that graciously agree to test my patterns.  We have a lot of fun, and we are creating something incredible.

The BIG News!


Which brings me on to my first ever pattern release!  Eek!  That little 13 year old kid in me that always wanted to be a fashion designer is so excited!!  I'm like double cookie dough in your ice cream excited.  Our Bow Tie Leggings & Shorts pattern is scheduled to be released this week on Thursday.  This has been such a dream fulfilled for me, and I can't wait for you guys to see what all I have coming out this season.  Keep an eye on the blog for more information (and more of my wonderful ramblings.)  If you've gotten this far, thanks for being a part of this new journey with me!

 

 
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