Special Award: Best Story - Larissa Hunt from Bland, VA . You'll want to read this one.

I had a lot of problems conceiving and when I did, I miscarried 3 times prior to this pregnancy. I was placed on bed rest with only bathroom privileges and a few minutes a day to the kitchen for food or whatever I needed. I could only be up for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

I saw an ad in a magazine about your patterns and requested a catalog. I am 6 feet tall and have been sewing for about 5 years because I could never find clothes to fit. I got your catalog and ordered my first pattern, NC# 203. I went through my fabric stash and found a nice mint green floral knit fabric. I selected view 2 to make it as simple as possible. I lengthened the sleeves and skirt to fit and adjusted the neckline ½ inch.

My doctor said no more than one to two times a day at the sewing machine and then only for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Your patterns were so easy to follow and the instructions were so clear, even with the lengthening alterations I have to make I had my first dress finished in 2 days! Needless to say I was hooked and ordered 2 more patterns, NC#307 and NC#205. I knew I wanted to breast feed my baby, but I was so shy and timid and afraid of everyone would see my breast, I had almost cheated my son out of the best thing I could ever do for him. I thought I would be home-bound and never get out unless I took along a bottle for my son. After making my first dress, I could see that was not the case. I was still embarrassed about feeding my son in public, but with a little practice and a lot of encouragement from my husband) I discovered I could breast feed in public and no one would ever know!

In the last photo, I am nursing my 3 ½ month old at a friend's wedding reception. I kept my seat and ate and had a good time and so did my son. No one was the wiser. Nolan is 7 months old now and is still solely on breast feeding with no plans to wean until he is ready to do so. Now I just make sure I am wearing a nursing top or dress every time I go out. I can't imagine being without them! I am living proof that your patterns ARE easy to sew and with a little encouragement and practice, it IS possible to nurse your precious little one anywhere you go. Thank you for your wonderful patterns and making nursing so much easier.

Rachel Case from Woodville, MS won first place in the children's division of our 3rd quarter 2001 sewing contest with this entry.

She writes: "This Heaven Sent Sunrise Designs #290 pattern was made using the "scraps" of an Elizabeth Lee Designs NC#203 to make a mother/daughter set of dresses. I used the square knot neck and contract band on the sleeve to give the same color contrast in basically the same places as the Elizabeth Lee dress. I have only been sewing for about 6 months and this was my first attempt at using a Sunrise Designs Pattern. I found that while the instructions themselves are short, the "Skill Builder's Glossary" is a tremendous help. For my newborn girl to be dressed like me was such fun!" Rachel Case, Woodville, MS

Denise Cole from Shiloh, OH was our other winner in the Best Nursing Photo category.

Denise Cole won the best nursing photo with this entry. She wrote: "Nursing is such an enjoyable time with your baby. Sometimes it is fun to just sit and talk with Emmalyne when I am feeding her. Sometimes, however, it feels like I get to do is sit and feed her. On those days I am glad ELD patterns make nursing so much more convenient and sometimes I try to get a few things done at once. I try to make sure that my older two don't get the feeling of being left out. Jonathan (5) and Adelaide (3), both love to be read to and I have found that nursing time can also be a good time for reading stories. It is cozy and it involves all of us. I think it is nice too because it allows my older children to see nursing as a normal part of life." Denise fashioned her top using NC#107B. She made this top from a "thermal" stretch knit with tiny blue flowers. She wrote: I like it because it goes well with jeans or can be worn with dress pants for a more dressy look. This shirt is the best thing to nurse in. No one usually even realizes I am nursing and the nursing access is perfect!