So you’ve heard of my book Girls World but a secret I don’t share with many is that I am a novice sewer at best and I would rather sew paper than fabric.  No patience for exactitude and admire everyone who has the patience to create something wonderful . i really do. I’ve taken sewing lessons several times and don’t seem to have the aptitude but I really love sewing and know quite a bit about it I just s__k at it.  OK nuf said. So the publisher Chronicle suggested I speak with several technical people before I make a decision who to work with.  We spoke at length with a few folks but it became clear early on that Dolin O’Shea was the person for me. .  She is super technical and the most earnest person I ever met.  Dolin wants to do a great job for whomever she works with and works very hard to deliver projects on time and with the best attitude.  It really is all in the attitude and she never once expressed any frustration or difficulty.  She is a top notch professional and it’s important for me that you meet this great gal behind the illustrations and technical writing of Girls World.

I asked her to help me tell you guys more about herself and this is what she shared.

The store I work part-time at is called Bobbin’s Nest Studio (http://www.bobbinsnest.com/index.php).  It is a wonderful place that has knitting, crocheting, sewing and embroidery supplies.  Basically, everything that I like to do, so it is hard to come home with a paycheck.  I also do some teaching at Bobbin’s Nest.  I mainly teach beginning sewing, beginning embroidery and a crochet class here and there.  I do private lessons with folks too, most of those are for specific things like helping them fit a pattern or help them finish a project that they have gotten stuck on.

Outside of the store I do all sorts of things to keep me busy, freelance writing, technical editing, couture dress making and custom sewing for clients.  I do want to publish my own line of sewing patterns, since pattern making is my passion and what I did as my career for 15 years (13 of those for Gap Inc.).  I am working on some knitting and crochet patterns for Bobbin’s Nest, that will be available for sale in the store and on Ravelry by the end of summer.

She is a love bug and her blog is lulubliss.com. She is amazing and loves her dogs just like me.  We were fortunate to finally meet in California because she led the class on the Virtual Radio Network site when we had the Mary Fancy Sash Dress Tutorial on line.  Meeting her, after working on two books together ,was the highlight of the book publishing process.

So say hello to her give her a big gratitude hug for making my vision so complete. love you Dolin.