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You are here: Home / Sewing / Book Review, Seams Unlikely

Book Review, Seams Unlikely

0 · Feb 10, 2014 · 9 Comments

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When I was contacted about joining in on Nancy Zieman’s Seams Unlikely Book Tour I was excited and oh so flattered.  I have always been a huge fan of Nancy’s, and have had so much respect for what she has done for the sewing industry.

I received the book in January, and was very excited to read how Nancy started her career and has built it into what it is today. I was definitely most excited to read about Nancy’s career and hopefully gain some inspiration for my own career in the sewing world.  I’m not sure where it will take me but I admit to wanting to be a relevant voice in the current conversation about sewing today.

I was surprised as I read through the book however, how inspiring it was on a personal level. On topics that had nothing to do with sewing or business, but on topics that are relevant to all of us.

In the book Nancy talked about her experiences in dealing with Bell’s Palsy, both as a young child and later in her television career. I was surprised to learn that she was only 14 months old when she developed Bell’s Palsy and dealt with the implications of it all though her childhood.

It seems we have been talking in our house a lot lately about disabilities and challenges.  My husband and son both have learning disabilities that have required extra effort and diligence to overcome.  My husband will tell you that even today he struggles daily with the impact of  his learning disabilities. It is one of those things that has changed the person he has become.

Recently however, we have been talking about how we not only overcome our challenges but how those challenges (or disabilities, or trials, depending on what you’d like to call them) turn us into better people. How things that we perceive as weaknesses end up becoming strengths to us.

I see this daily in my husband, in his efforts to cope with his learning disability, he has developed an increased work ethic and the ability to view solutions to problems in ways that others can not see. In a way the ultimate “out side the box” thinker.  I find him now frequently referring to his learning disability as his “advantage” and am proud that he has been able to view it that way. It also makes me grateful that he can set that example for our son as he grows and begins to learn ways to cope with his learning disability.

It touched my heart so to read Seams Unlikely and to hear Nancy thinking of her Bell’s Palsy in the same way.  It’s amazing what a positive attitude can do. She talks about feeling others “looks” on her and how it was dealt with while she was growing up.

One of the lines in the book that really tugged at my heart strings was a quote from her aunt, she said,  “I remember people saying things like, ‘Isn’t that sad,’ and ‘Isn’t that a shame,’ about Nancy, right in front of me.  But, if Nancy had remained a beautiful baby and had grown into a woman with a perfect smile, would she have pursued or tried as hard as she did? We’ll never know….”

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Nancy’s book, it contained the great business tips I was hoping for but it also was a wonderful story about courage and persistence. I found it to be incredibly inspiring.

Nancy says, “Each of us faces challenges in life. Some are bigger than others. But what happens to us, does not define who we are, unless we let it.”

To hear more about what others thought of Seams Unlikely you can visit the other stops in the book tour.

Seams_Unlikely_Blog_Tour_Badge

February 4          Nancy Zieman           http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/blog-tour/seams-unlikely-book/

February 5          Eileen Roche          http://dzgns.com/blog/

February 5          Pat Sloan          http://patsloan.typepad.com/

February 6          Melissa Stramel          http://melissaslilaclane.blogspot.com

February 6          The Long Ladies          http://www.mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com/

February 6          Tori Thompson          http://totallystitchin.net

February 7          Amy Barickman          http://www.indygojunction.com/blog/

February 7          Melissa Mora          http://mellysews.com

February 8          Shari Butler          http://www.doohikeydesignstudio.com/blog/

February 8          Vicki Christensen          http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/

February 9          Carolina Moore          http://alwaysexpectmoore.com

February 9          Kate Mclvor          https://theconfidentstitch.squarespace.com

February 10          Amy Ellis          http://amyscreativeside.com/

February 10          Melissa Mortenson          https://www.polkadotchair.com

February 11          Ilene Miller          http://happyvalleyprimitives.blogspot.com/

February 11          Liz Hicks          http://blogerisms.blogspot.com/

February 11          Rachael Pannepacker          http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

February 12          Bill Gardner          http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/blogs/insideqn/

February 12          Elizabeth Evans          http://www.simplesimonandco.com

February 13          Amy Webb          http://www.amylouwhosews.com/

February 13          Lindsay Wilkes          http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com

February 14          Gertie Hirsch          http://www.blogforbettersewing.com

February 14          Veronica Philips          http://cloverusa.wordpress.com/

February 15          Jenny Gabriel          http://www.sewvacoutletblog.com

February 15          Laura Wasilowski          http://artfabrik.blogspot.com/

February 16          Frieda Anderson          http://friestyle.blogspot.com/

February 16          Rita Farro          http://ritassewfun.blogspot.com

February 17          Cindy Cloward          http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/blog/

February 17          Joan Hawley          http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/blog/

February 17          Patty Young          http://modkidboutique.blogspot.com

February 18          Nancy Zieman          http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/

If you’d like to win a copy of Seams Unlikely hop on over to this post on Nancy’s Blog to enter. They are giving away over 20 books!

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Melissa Mortenson

Melissa Mortenson is the author of the Polka Dot Chair blog which has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love”. Her first fabric line “Derby Style” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs. It was followed by 5 other fabric lines in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

Comments

  1. Nancy Zieman says

    February 10, 2014 at 5:36 PM

    Dear Melissa,
    Your blog posting today was very touching. Thank you for sharing insights on your husband’s way of dealing with his learning challenges. We all have challenges, some are more obvious than others. As you noted, our challenges don’t have to direct our lives unless we let them. Again, thanks for being part of my blog tour and for taking time to read “Seams Unlikely!”

    Reply
    • Melissa Mortenson says

      February 12, 2014 at 12:43 PM

      Thank you for your kind words Nancy, and thank you again for asking me to be a part of the book tour. I truly did enjoy reading your story.

      Reply
  2. Marlyn Weiss says

    February 10, 2014 at 8:55 PM

    It was very enlightening to learn that a portion of the proceeds of your book go to adoptions. Keep up your good work. :)

    Reply
  3. Mosaic Magpie says

    February 11, 2014 at 12:44 PM

    I think most of us that sew have watched Nancy’s shows throughout the years. The shows are always full of information with a healthy dose of “You Can Do It!” I look forward to reading more about her life it sounds so inspirational.

    Reply
    • Melissa Mortenson says

      February 12, 2014 at 12:41 PM

      I just watched an episode last week and found myself getting out a paper and pen to take notes. She’s always finds a way to deliver more information each time.

      Reply
  4. Carol says

    February 12, 2014 at 12:14 AM

    What a great review! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  5. Shirley in Canada says

    February 12, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    A wonderful story that I would love to read! Thank you for shariing too.

    Reply

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