The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser is a powerful story of a young woman's courage to trust God to fulfill her dreams. Annie, a former housemaid and pattern designer, has dreams of designing dresses for the working woman and of having her own shop. The journey she takes as doors that open (or sometimes close) to her and her friends is almost magical. The author blends in history (an interesting presidential election, women's rights, the beginnings of the Lane Bryant clothing empire), romance, and faith in a God who loves unconditionally, who gives second chances and who fulfills dreams to tell this charmingly delightful story of a young woman's lofty hopes. The characters are compelling, believable and likable. Readers will cheer for, cry with and be drawn into the lives of Annie, Maude, Vesta, Henrietta, and others. The author deals well with the gritty and sometimes desperate subjects of marital discord, domestic violence, and assault, which adds reality and depth to the book. The story flows well and has a few "oh, no!" moments where one wonders how will this turn out! As one character notes, God doesn't deal with luck but with blessing. The Pattern Artist is a fascinating and inspiring novel of a spirited woman and her friends who choose to realize their dreams and find love and faith as well. Although it is second in a series, The Fashion Designer is easily a stand-alone story. For more reading enjoyment, I recommend picking up the first book, The Pattern Artist, too. At the end of the book, the author includes a list of discussion questions, pictures related to some of the characters and fashions from the early 1900s.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

After reading The Pattern Artist I wanted more about Annie, Sean and their friends. So I was really excited when I was invited to read The Fashion Designer. I got to not only spend more time with these characters but I also got to learn more about the fashion industry in the early 1900s. A definite win~win!!

Nancy Moser has created believable, realistic and extremely likable characters. It’s was just impossible not to like the characters in this book. OK, so maybe I didn’t care for Sean’s dad, Richard, all that much. He was a total jerk! (And I’m being nice here.) The fact that I didn’t care for him one bit shows the ability of the author to create a wide range of characters with different personalities. I love the author created characters for me to both love and despise. (Although maybe towards the end I didn’t despise Richard as much.) I really liked the addition of Vesta, Sean’s mother.

Another aspect of the book I really liked was the attention to historical detail. The details add to the story and made me feel as if I were experiencing the time period along with the characters. In addition to the historical details, the author includes a lot of fashion design details that were very interesting. There is the inclusion of the story of Lane Bryant that was done in a way that felt genuine to the story and not just added in because the author discovered how the store got its start. All of the details added really brought the story to life and soon I wasn’t seeing words on the page but the workshop, apartments, and streets of NYC.

The book was effortless to read. As much as I wanted to rush through the book I also wanted to read it slowly and enjoy every moment with these characters. As satisfied as I was with the story I still want more of these characters and am hoping the author will give me a chance to visit with them again. Wouldn’t it be fun to see how Annie and the gang adapt to fashion in the 1920s??

This book is well-written and is just a really good story. It’s a story that makes you feel good while reading it. And with the lovely cover, it’s definitely a book for the keeper shelf! Happy reading!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not obligated to write a review. All opinions are mine.

Although I had been disappointed with The Pattern Artist, I was relieved to find Nancy Moser back on
her usual good form in its sequel, The Fashion Designer. (In fact I deliberately slowed down when reading the last few chapters, as I did not want to come to the end!)
Written about a group of women from very disparate backgrounds, who become the forerunners of a
new, classless society - & in doing so step quite out of their expected roles.
It can be good for us to be reminded of just what many of our female forebears went through, facing
challenges largely unknown to us today.
A thoughtful surprise was to find pictures included at the end, of some of the designs described earlier
in the book.

Set during a time when women could only really aspire to be a wife and mother, Anna Wood and her friends hope to start a business that sells common dresses to the common woman. Most special dresses were made only for the wealthy. Through trials and set backs, these friends forge a new path.

I really enjoyed catching up with these characters and seeing where they were. All of the characters were well written so that you knew them from the start. This story turns to God and one's faith that things will work out. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

This story was a simple, quick read. Reading about the fashions and history of the time period was fascinating - I loved the details. But the story itself left me wanting. The overall theme seemed to be that yes, bad things might kinda-sorta happen, but if you pray about it then you’ll get everything you wanted. It very much required a suspension of disbelief, almost like a fairy tale.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book continues the story of The Pattern Artist. I would recommend reading it first to get a full understanding of the story. I had not read it and sometimes wanted to know more of what was going on. This is a wonderful history of the fashion industry. I loved that the author included actual events throughout the book. The afterword is very interesting. Faith played an importance to the characters even in hard times. Highly recommended!

Interesting twist on a historical fiction book set in New York City. Enter into the world of fashion design and meet the early advocates of affordable, practical, attractive clothing for the working class in New York City. Three friends set out to do just that. This book was different than most historical fiction books in that it addressed a topic rarely written about.

The Fashion Designer is a sequel to the Pattern Artist, so it includes many of the people from the first book. I enjoyed this second book more than the first one. As Annie continues to expand her career into fashion design she encounters joy, disappointments and challenges. Along with all her friends and a new husband you will see how life was in 1912 New York. Great read!

I received this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

The Fashion Designer is the second installment from Nancy Moser’s series, The Pattern Maker. I thought it was a pretty read. I enjoyed Annie and being taken back to her time of 1912 New York City. I found the story to be inspirational and full of faith.
I give The Fashion Designer a well deserved 5+ stars and highly recommend it for those who love historical fiction. I would recommend to the reader to make sure to catch the first book of the series, The Pattern Artist, before reading this one.

This book continues on with the characters from The Pattern Artist. Annie Woods, who has now left Butterick Patterns to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer for the “everyday woman”. In a time when women had no rights, except that of being a wife, mother, or if fortunate, a wife of a wealthy man, women basically couldn’t afford to by an “off the rack” dress that was fashionable. Fashion was left to those wealthy women.

Annie, her new husband, Sean, and friends endeavor to start their own business. Amid trials, financial woes, marriage woes, and new love, these women’s lives give us an exciting read.

I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

The Fashion Designer is a very well written inspirational book. I enjoyed the plot and the well developed characters. Ms. Moser has a great talent for writing. Highly recommend this book.

I did not read The Pattern Artist before this book and I really think that I should have. I just felt that I was missing a lot during the book, then I realized it is a continuation of a previous book. Maybe if I would have read the first one, I would have enjoyed this one more.

The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser is the follow-up to The Pattern Artist. It is not necessary to have read The Pattern Artist as there is plenty of background information so that you don’t feel like you are missing some important detail but I believe you will want to read it.
It is August 1912 and Annie Culver has just finished her last day as a pattern artist for Butterick Pattern Company. She is ready to step out on her own, along with the help of her friend Maude, to start her own design company. Their friend, Edna, has given up her job at Macy’s to join the adventure, also. Annie’s husband, Sean, is very supportive and assists when he can. The group also has financial support from Mr. and Mrs. Sampson who they met on a ship while returning from a fashion show in Paris. After missing the Titanic, thanks to God’s delaying them, Annie and Sean realize life is short and opportunities must be appreciated. Will their faith in God carry them through the hard times?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had read The Pattern Artist first so I felt I already knew Annie, Sean and Maude and their earlier struggles. There is enough general background in this story that you will not feel left out. I was rooting for Annie and her friends to be successful with their business and was so down when they had setbacks. I wanted to help them myself. The book is not “preachy” but faith is a definite them throughout. Some characters struggle with their faith and others lift them up and encourage them. When circumstances look dark Sean has to remind Annie how far they have come and all the blessings God has bestowed so far. The characters re all very realistically written and act in ways that would be expected in the situations they are in. I wholeheartedly give this book 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Following a Dream in 1912 New York to become a Fashion Designer

Annie Wood, an English woman, started as a housemaid. She came to New York with high hopes, but things didn’t work as planned. Instead of returning to England to realize her goal of becoming a ladies’ maid, she found a job at Butterick designing patterns.

In this second book, Annie is married to Sean Culver, who also works at Butterick. Things are going well, but when Annie is given the chance to design clothes by a New York couple, her friend Maude with Sean’s blessing pushes her into taking the chance. Annie worries that they will fail and all be out of jobs, but Sean has faith and pushes her to continue when her first collection is not well received.

This is a story of faith and striving. Annie, Maude, Sean, and Edna, a mother figure, support each other and their strong faith keeps them together. They’re striving to do something they believe in. It isn’t easy. There are setbacks, but they don’t lose sight of what they want to do.

This second book relies on information from the first book, The Pattern Designer. I recommend reading that book first for full enjoyment of the second. The characters are people you’d like to know. They have a shared dream and together they are able to work through all the hardships to make that dream a reality.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.

I am really enjoying this series! I am not a huge fan of fashion and clothing, but this storyline is so great. I love all the characters, and the challenges they face together. Their lives are not perfect, and while there are many happy endings, the book doesn't seem cheesy at all. There is a warmth between the characters that makes the book a very enjoyable read. The historical context is also very interesting, especially the addition of Lane Bryant. One thing that was annoying to me was the continual references to their surviving the Titanic. I knew from the last book, but even if I hadn't, they mentioned it way too many times. That is my only complaint. I will look for more books in this series, and from this author. Great read!

I love a faith-filled, woman-empowerment story. This is a story where women build-each-other-up (rather than find fault with each other as is often the case) and they grow through adversity.

Sinking into this book from the beginning is easy. I really enjoyed Annie’s journey of learning the ins and outs of the women’s fashion industry during the early 1900s. The characters are easy to sympathize with, the plot is believable, and I the ending satisfied me.

If you enjoy historical fiction with a spiritual vein, or are interested in the fashion industry, I think you’ll enjoy The Fashion Designer.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour and NetGalley. I was not obligated to post a review.

4 Stars

Cover: Like
Title: Like
Pages: 320
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press
First Line: Annie Culver tidied her work table for the last time.

Loved this book! Annie Woods who went from housemaid to pattern designer, now with her friends Maude and Edna along with her new husband Sean become clothes designers for the modern women.
Great characters. Great sense of place. You can picture yourself in the sewing room. Can’t wait for more Annie Woods.

I thought this was a delightful book.
Following on from The Pattern Artist, which I also enjoyed, this continues Annie' s story. How courageous she and her friends were in 1912 America, going all out to have their own business. Funding is offered but withdrawn, a shop front becomes available but they don't know if they have the money. Throughout these ups and downs the faith of the group shines through, giving them peace in decisions and the wonder of seeing God's hand when least expected.
Thanks to Net Galley for a review copy.

I was delighted to read, The Fashion Designer, the follow-up story to Annie's journey into the world of design. Nancy Moser sews her research of the fashion industry in the early twentieth century into a perfect pattern of hope and determination. I loved the camaraderie of the entrepreneurial ladies and their desire to grow a business. There are many ups and downs in the story, but regardless of the situation the characters faith shines in the face of controversy. This is a book filled with excitement for women at the turn of the century, love among the wonderful characters, and hope for family and friends. I highly recommend this beautiful story. If you haven't read book one of the series, The Pattern Artist, check it out too. I received this book for free with no expectation of a good or bad review.

I love how this 2nd book in this series by Nancy Moser, takes off a couple months after the 1st book in the serie finished, in 1912. I'm glad it didn't focus on just one main female character's POV, but switched clearly, between all the female characters. This book is a stand-alone story.

Annie Culver starts her new Retail ready-made Ladies Fashion Design business, with her Butterick best friend, Maude Nascato; her Macy's mentor & Mother figure, Edna Holmquist; financed by Harold & Eleanor Sampson; & given wisdom & faith by God, & her husband, Sean Culver.

But our Christian walk of Faith, can be frought with mistakes & hardships, because we are just human. The same happens to the beginning characters in this story.

Annie & Eleanor Sampson started their collaboration with the goal of "fashionable & functional dresses for the everyday woman, at anaffordable price". But Eleanor quickly vear off track, to "Eleanor's Couture" dresses for the rich. This proves to be the major conflict for Annie to work out, because it wasn't the audience she was passionate about designing for. I love how God works this relationship conflict out in the story.

The new business adds new employees & business partnerships as it progresses. New people, & old come into the story. Some romantic relationships start, 2 marriage breaks & later are & restored. 12 Past coworkers & neighborhood women become models for Annie's new dresses. Annie is by Iris Tuttle's side, as she delivers her baby. There are some engagements. The story end with the birth of a 2nd baby! Does the Unruffled Store become profitable? Get the book & find out

This story reminded me of several Bible verses:
Heb 12:2a NLT "...keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates & perfects our faith."
Php 1:6 NLT "And I'm certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it's finally finished..."
Jer 29:11 NLT "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
Rom 8:28 NLT "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God & are called according to His pupose for them."
I love that Nancy Moser keeps pointing her characters to their Christian faith in Jesus, & His Promises. People today need these same promises; I know I do!

This wonderful Christian Pre WW1 Anerican Romance story quickly grabbed ahold my interest, & only let it go, after I read finished it. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!