Review: The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser

About the Book:

Born into a life of hard work, English housemaid Annie Wood arrives in New York City in 1911 with her wealthy mistress. Wide-eyed with the possibilities America has to offer, Annie wonders if there’s more for her than a life of service.

Annie chooses to risk everything, taps into courage she never knew she had, and goes off on her own, finding employment in the sewing department at Macy’s. While at Macy’s Annie catches the eye of a salesman at the Butterick Pattern Company. Through determination, hard work, and God’s leading, Annie discovers a hidden gift: she is a talented fashion designer—a pattern artist of the highest degree.

As she runs from ghosts of the past and focuses on the future, Annie enters a creative world that takes her to the fashion houses of Paris and into a life of adventure, purpose, and love.

My Review:

The Pattern Artist was an interesting historical taking place during and around the year 1911.  We follow English housemaid Annie Wood from Summerfield England with her employers visit to New York.  Here Annie must face the crushing reality that some of her dreams may not come true, however in true American spirit, she realizes that she can achieve more for her life here in the United States than going back home.

With her new friends, she decides to strike out on her own and when she does the floodgates are opened.  Not without struggles and she even has to contend with a very evil man who begins stalking her.   She also meets some very wise women who befriend her and come alongside her as she maps out her new life in the States.  And romance is in the air for her when she meets a salesman by the name of Sean.

Rich with historical detail, we get to go behind the scenes of Macy’s department store and get a glimpse of what life might be like for an immigrant starting over and trying to find her place in a new world.  I really liked learning about the tidbits of history that this story focused on and I was so pleased that author Nancy Moser included samples of what some of the dresses would have looked like.  Sometimes it is difficult to envision a fashion that I am not familiar with and those pictures added a depth to the story.  This was my first read by Nancy Moser and I look forward to more of her stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing.  I was not required to give a positive review and the views expressed are my own.