Although this is an author I have always enjoyed reading, & I had
been greatly anticipating this book, I was left feeling disappointed.
The subject - learning a little about how sewing patterns are
produced - was of particular interest to me, but dark events were
included which didn't fit with this type of book.
I liked the landlady/mentor's wise insights, but was generally left
uncomfortable with the storyline : it didn't ring true that God would
have Annie 'use' each employer, being very ungrateful.
Both of the male heroes are poorly treated, I didn't like the main character;
and the ending was implausible . All in all this book did not live up to
expectations.

This is the first book I’ve read from Nancy Moser, and I can say it will not be my last. The Pattern Artist is a fantastic coming of age story. Annie, a strong young woman with big dreams and a lot to learn, she has many trials and thru it all grows not only in her character, but in her relationship with God. I have to say, you know a book is good when you find yourself talking to the characters in the book, telling them not to do something. The Pattern Artist is rich in history, and you will find several surprises too. I enjoyed learning more about this history of Butterick. I fondly remember going to the fabric store with my Mother and Grandmother, looking through the catalogs picking out patterns, searching for the matching numbered envelope in the drawers, selecting the material and helping to make outfits. Of course this book is about so much more than just pattern’s, but it certainly brought back fond memories.
Even if you’ve never sewn anything, I’m sure that you will love this story!

*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. My opinions I have expressed are my own.

The Pattern Artist is very well written. It has a great storyline and well developed characters. I was immediately pulled into the story. I recommend this books to those who enjoy a good clean historical book.

This book was not about what I thought it would be about. If that makes sense. From the cover, I assumed the book was about someone who was already a pattern artist. I found the characters likable, even if they were a bit shallowly developed. The relationship between Annie and Sean was not really developed. We knew Annie respected Sean, but the reasons for her hesitance were unclear. Her faith was also not something that was delved into deeply, though it was referred to often.

There were several times when I had to suspend reality, and one time where I actually say out loud "REALLY?!?" I don't mind an author forcing a suspension of reality, but give more grace for that in science fiction. Things just happened too easily for Annie, and she never had consequences of bad choices. This book was just okay in my opinion. A light read, and not horrible by any means, but the storyline could've been better.

***SPOILER ALERT***
The most disappointing thing, in my opinion, was that there was a lot of focus on the sinking of the Titanic near the end of the book, when it should have been on Annie's decision and how her dream became a reality. Yes, she worked for Butterick, but the whole book was about her trying to realize a dream of designing fashion that was functional rather than just attractive- we never see that become a reality.

The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser was a great historical story that included suspense and romance in the setting of early 1900s America.
I loved the main character, Annie Woods. She’s sassy, sweet, and not afraid to stand up for herself. She takes chances and is willing to be adventurous. I appreciated that she wasn’t the terrified meek character.
Ms. Moser brings to life the early 1900s and the changes of the classes. I thought it especially creative the way she included Titanic’s tragedy into the story.
The story was interesting and kept my interest. Ms. Moser’s characters are realistic and well-rounded. I enjoyed escaping into the fashion world with socialites and the working class.
Most of all, I appreciated that Annie was willing to do something to make her dreams come true and she wasn’t willing to let those with higher social status take advantage of her. I received this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing and have provided my honest opinion here. I would absolutely recommend The Pattern Artist.

I have had this book on my list to read for a little while. I find it interesting that I chose it before others and the timing of it corresponds to the recent focus on immigrants in America! I won't turn this into a political review because that would not do the book justice. I honestly ascribe to the saying "everything in its time" and this was perfect timing for me to read this story!

For those who love to sew, this is a book you will enjoy. For those who enjoy stories about the American dream and having your dreams come true in ways you wouldn't believe, it is also for you!

The author did a wonderful job of shaping the characters and bringing them to life. She also incorporated real history which in turn added a lot to the storyline. I learned things about pattern making and the Butterick Company and Macy's that I never knew but also gives me more respect for those who began those companies!

There is romance, family, a little violence but not graphic, suspense and finally a spiritual link with genuine human kindness thrown in. I was sad when I finished it and couldn't know what would happen next! That's the mark of a good book indeed!

I've shared the review also on Facebook and Twitter! This ARC was provided to me by Netgalley.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley.

The storylines in this book were intriguing and engaging. The author took us through our protagonist's life as an up-and-coming housemaid, and then moved into the second half of the story focusing on her life as a fabric seller and pattern designer in New York City. There was so much detail and depth in each half of the book, the almost felt like two different stories. I often found myself thinking back about what had happened in the "before" portion of the novel, as opposed to what was happening "now". We were able to follow a character for much longer than in a typical novel.

At times, the main character seemed immature in her choices and her delays in making those choices, but she also seemed authentic in her hopefulness (or naivete). Some of the connections to historical events seemed a bit too much of a stretch, but in the author's note at the end, we do get a satisfactory explanation for those.

Overall, a recommended read, especially for those who enjoy fashion (like the home sew-er).

I have always thought about the men and women who designed the "first" patterns and what that must have been like. This book really is perfect for any woman who has attempted to sew for that reason. It's cool to wander into the world of patterns and learning how they gained popularity, what they did to demo them, where the ideas came from, and how they crafted them. It was absolutely fascinating, and convinced me I would not have lasted long doing all that tedious work! LOL.

When it comes to the plot of the story, it really wasn't that believable in my mind. Not the whole housemaid decides to run away in NY, without having any place to live aspect. That would never have worked well during that time period. Especially not in 1911 or New York. Maybe I'm wrong, but everything I've read talks about how DANGEROUS it was for people who tried to do like Annie.

I really liked the growth that Annie faces through the course of the group, and how she even comes to realize that she's made some wrong decisions. Seeing her wrestle with her conscience and accepting that God is in control, and choosing to rely on Him above all else is very realistic.

I think all in all, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. It's got a great story, but I prefer a bit more meat to keep my interest. I loved the history of the sewing and of the Butterick company and seeing a bit behind the scenes of early 1900's Macy's. If you are wanting a more light read set in a historical era, this is a good option. If you want to learn more about the early 1900's fashion industry, I think you would like this book. It's an also good look at what poor immigrants dealt with.

The Pattern Artist
by Nancy Moser
published by Shiloh Run Press.


I chose this book because I am very interested in fashion, patterns, structures of clothing. It's a novel set in 1911, about a girl who leaves England, as a housemaid to a wealthy lady, to live in America. She hopes that there will be new possibilities in her life and that she will not be in service for long. Indeed, she sets off on her own, finds a job in Macy's selling patterns and meets the Butterick pattern salesman. Very swiftly she rises in her career and always led by her faith in God, rises to become a fashion designer who is highly sought after visiting the fashion houses of Paris.
I did enjoy the book, but felt it all happened almost too fast. I always used Butterick patterns and it was interesting to read how Annie altered and adapted the patterns, with detailed descriptions of the fabrics and dresses . Her mercurial rise in her career , with help from various people in the fashion business, was a surprise, but I suppose it could have happened that way.

I received a copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another historical fiction to love,this one by Nancy Moser. In The Pattern Artist, we follow English servant Annie Woods as she arrives in New York City. Annie moves, amazingly, from servant to sales lady at Macy's to pattern artist at Butterick's.

Annie's journey is one of ambition, hard work, love,and much soul-searching. I appreciated how spiritual themes were appropriately interwoven without getting over-preachy or lengthy. Mrs. Sampson is a hoot! I think I would have liked to have known her. I was also surprised at the close friendship of Annie and Maude. Another example of Annie walking through an open door, as she says at one point about how her life transpires so fantastically.

What caused me to love this book was the glimpse of a slice of life out of many classes of society in New York City. Moser makes learning a little bit about the design world in the early 1900s very interesting and fresh, even for one who doesn't sew. The involvement of a great historical event that I will not disclose added to the book's time period authenticity.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I voluntarily left this unbiased review of my own opinions.

I was hooked from page one. I love historical fiction, reading about what happened in the past. Annie comes to America as a housemaid, even though she is more of a ladies maid and is capable of so much more, because of lies and deceit, what she can do is given credit to someone else. After learning about the deceit, she wants so much more and decides to run away from service, taking two friends with her. Annie finds that each things she learns, builds onto the next step she is suppose to take in life. I loved the setting, New York in the early 1900's. It was a quick read for me, I couldn't put it down.

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser was an okay book. I honestly don’t remember much about this book because I read it at the end of last year and I don’t remember much about it. That being said I do remember liking this book, but it was very memorable to me. I know that this happened before with other books and it always tends to be historical fiction books. I usually enjoy the books but after I move on to another book I forget the one that I read last. If you like historical fiction than I would sure tell you to check out this book.

The Pattern Artist, is not only an entertaining read, but it's also an educational read!! I loved finding out a little more about the beginnings of the sewing/fashion industry of America. I am a sewist and have worked at two different fabric stores over the years, so fabrics, patterns and notions are in my blood. I had never before thought about the artist behind the patterns (of course, in our day, the patterns are made up and put on models for the cover of patterns in the pattern books... but obviously, that's not where it all began!).

The Pattern Artist

This is the first of Ms. Moser’s books I have read and I loved it!

Filled with history of life of characters who travel from England to America in 1911, characters who were already here in New York City and how their lives intertwine, she combines events of the times to bring us the best and worst of events that occurred during that time.

The characters are so real and loveable that I couldn’t put the book down until I had read it all.

As an avid sewer, the history of Butterick patterns and fashions of the time given in the book was very interesting to me.

I loved how she incorporated faith in the character’s lives to bring each one to their own understanding of God and His direction in their lives, allowing them to achieve their dreams, sometimes in ways they would never had imagined.

I would highly recommend this book to all who love historical fiction. I was given a copy of this book by Barbour Publishers for my honest review.

The Pattern Artist is the interesting story of Annie Wood and her desire to make a better life for herself. The authors writing made me see the world through Annie’s eyes. I could envision Annie’s awe and excitement as she experiences her view of New York City for the first time. I could also feel her determination in making her dreams come true. I must admit to being rather impressed with the spunk she, Danny and his sister possessed in leaving the shelter of their home to make better lives for themselves.
As the story progressed, it became clear that Annie’s strong faith is what kept her moving towards her dreams. I truly found that to be very refreshing. I loved “seeing” Macy’s department store through her eyes the first time she saw it. When she got her job there, I was just as excited as she was.
I liked the characters Ms. Moser created, especially Sean. I started to look forward to his visits to sell Butterick patterns to the store. The female friendships were strong and had a realness to them. Edna and Maude were perfect and I looked forward to their interactions with Annie.
There was only one thing in the book that really broke my heart and I had to stop reading for a while to process it.
I’m hoping that this is the first in a series because I really am not ready to say goodbye to Annie, Sean, Edna and Maude. It seems like they may embark on a new adventure and I want to be part of it.
I received copy of this book from Netgalley and have given my honest opinion.

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED! Can not get enough of this book! This book is truly beautiful inside and out with many beautiful lessons.