A Tangled Thread

by Chloe Taylor

  Zoey thought and thought about it. Was this what the “real world” of fashion design was all about? She didn’t think so. All her experiences with it so far had been amazing, and she was learning more and loving it more every single day. Had Daphne Shaw ever had this happen to her?

  She knew, without a doubt, that being a designer was her life’s dream. And most of that dream was incredible. So if this was part of it, well, as her dad said, she’d have to roll with the punches.

  CHAPTER 11

  Reflections: Good, Bad, and In-Between

  My dad always, always, ALWAYS tells me that in life, you have to take the good with the bad. And that’s certainly been true for me this week!

  I’ll start with the GOOD, because I’m an optimistic person. My new Speedman sewing machine is the most fantastic sewing machine on the planet! Maybe the solar system. Do you think they have sewing machines on other planets? I couldn’t have dreamed up such a great machine! It’s inspired me to try to make this outfit I’ve been thinking about—see my sketch—made with a mirror-image patterned fabric. These fabrics are kind of pricey, and tricky to sew with because you have to make sure it’s all lined up perfectly, and smooth as silk, but I’m ready for a challenge!

  And now for the BAD. (C’mon, I told you it was coming!) It seems that someone really liked one of my designs I posted on this blog (which is flattering), and not only made a copy of the dress for herself, but is planning to produce the dress and SELL it in her store in India (which is not flattering . . . ). That’s why I’ve been thinking about duplicates and mirror images, so at least I got a fun idea out of it.

  But I’m really confused about this. Are people allowed to do that? To take someone else’s design and knowingly copy it and reproduce it? I know about knockoffs, but I’m not exactly a big, established designer who’s so amazing that they inspire knockoffs!

  A little while ago I made a copy of a dress I loved but couldn’t afford. Now that I know what it feels like to be copied, I feel like I should apologize to that designer. But I didn’t try to sell it. Somehow, that feels different.

  Anyway, I don’t know all the rules of fashion and copyrighting designs and whatnot yet, so if any of my wise readers have some advice to give me, I’m all ears!

  The morning of the trade show, Zoey was nervous. Well, nervous-excited. She’d never been to an event like this before, not to mention she’d be spending time with Libby’s aunt, who was a real industry professional and knew exactly what kind of designs were likely to sell in stores. It would truly be an amazing day, or at least she hoped it would!

  Which is why I need an amazing outfit, Zoey told herself, looking in the mirror and trying to figure out what was missing. She was wearing the Tangled top, cheetah-print leggings, her mom’s skirt, and a pair of lace-up sandals that tied above the ankle. Her hair was up in a tight ballerina bun. But something was missing!

  She grabbed a clutch from her tote bag full of samples to bring to the trade show. The clutch looked perfect with her outfit, but the thought of having to hold it in her hand all day didn’t sound so perfect.

  That’s it! Zoey thought. She grabbed one of the belts she’d made and looped it through the flap of the clutch to make an impromptu cross-body bag.

  “Cool!” Zoey said to her reflection in the mirror.

  Just then, the doorbell rang, and Zoey grabbed her lucky lip gloss and her tote bag, and ran down the stairs. She could hardly wait.

  Marcus beat her to the door. Zoey ran up behind him, just as he was opening it. Allie stood on the front steps, with Libby and her aunt.

  “Oh, wow, hi,” Marcus said, sounding slightly flustered.

  Zoey wondered if he’d been expecting someone else. She’d told him they were all coming this morning to take her to the show.

  “Marcus, you remember . . . ,” she started to say.

  “Allie, yeah, hi,” he said quickly.

  “Hi, Marcus,” Allie replied, looking slightly pink. Allie had dressed for the trade show as well, and she looked very chic in a shirtdress with a wide belt, and a pair of tall boots.

  Zoey realized Priti had been right—Marcus did like Allie. And why shouldn’t he? They were about the same age. Why should she care if her brother and her friend liked each other? She decided she would help him out. After all, he had helped her out hugely lately with chores and dishes and Etsy stuff. And he even drove her around sometimes. Zoey resolved to drop a few comments to Allie that day about how great her brother is, and what a good drummer and a nice guy, and see how she reacted. Maybe she would have a career as a matchmaker and a designer!

  The thought almost made her laugh, but then Libby stepped forward to introduce Zoey to her aunt.

  “This is Zoey,” Libby said excitedly, “my famous designer friend. Zo, this is my aunt, Alexandra Van Langen.”

  Zoey turned a bright tomato red at the word “famous,” because she was anything but.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Van Langen,” Zoey said, trying to sound mature.

  “It’s so nice to meet you,” said Libby’s aunt. “And, please, just call me Aunt Lexie. Libby does. Now, Zoey, I’ve been really impressed with your blog, and your entry from the recent sewing contest, and your pop-up shop on Etsy. Not to mention you’ve been such a wonderful friend to Libby!”

  Zoey felt like she might explode from all the praise. Lexie Van Langen thought she was impressive?

  “Thank you,” Zoey said graciously. “But it’s really such an honor to meet you! I love your store, and I think your job must be one of the most fun jobs on the planet!”

  Aunt Lexie laughed. “Well,” she said, leaning in conspiratorially, “I’ll tell you a secret. It is! I get to see all the best and newest fashions and accessories, and pick which ones we sell at H. Cashin’s. It’s like shopping all day, every day. And today is particularly fun, not only because I have you, Libby, and Allie as my companions, but because this particular trade show is known for featuring up-and-coming new designers. We’re going to see some really edgy and innovative things today!”

  Zoey couldn’t help bouncing on her feet, she was so excited to get going. She felt like a sprinter at the starting line.

  “Well, bye, Marcus,” Zoey said, starting to close the door.

  “Have fun, All—” He turned red. “I—I mean, see you later, alligator! Have fun . . . everyone.”

  He is acting so weird, Zoey thought before waving good-bye.

  “You too!” Allie said as Zoey started to close the door behind them.

  They followed Lexie to her car. Once they were all settled inside, Zoey noticed Aunt Lexie had the clutch Zoey had made from the Etsy site resting on the front seat. She was actually carrying it that day!

  Zoey wanted to swoon. She looked over at Allie, who was sharing the backseat with her, and mouthed, Isn’t this amazing?

  Allie nodded and then reached across the seat to squeeze Zoey’s hand. Amazing, she mouthed back.

  The ride to the trade show was about as fascinating as a ride could be. Zoey and Allie took turns asking Aunt Lexie questions about her job and learned more about the world of a department store buyer. Everything Lexie said captivated Zoey. It was like a behind-the-scenes peek every designer needed to understand why a buyer would, or would not, choose to carry their item in a store.

  They pulled into the parking lot at the convention center, where the trade show was being held. After a short walk they arrived at the wide double-door entrance to the main room. Aunt Lexie checked in with two women at a long table, who handed her several badges, each on a lanyard, for them to wear inside. Zoey slipped hers over her head, feeling very important.

  When they stepped through the doors, Zoey couldn’t help from grabbing Libby’s hand. They looked at each other. It was accessories heaven! Row after row of booths, each one displaying beautiful, unique crafts and accessories.

  “This is too amazing. I feel like I’m dreaming,” Zoey whispered.

  “Me too!” said Libby, giggli
ng.

  Even Allie, normally cool and collected, looked overwhelmed by where to begin. There was almost too much to see.

  Aunt Lexie noticed all three girls were standing frozen, rooted to the spot and unsure how to even start to enjoy all the amazing merchandise.

  “It feels overwhelming, right?” Lexie said. “It’s always like this. I find it helps to have a game. Why don’t you girls go up and down the aisles, and from each row you have to pick your one favorite item? Just for fun—because the things here, the samples, aren’t for sale. Okay?”

  “Okay!” the girls all agreed, glad to have something to help them focus. They were like little kids in a candy store.

  The girls began moving up and down the aisles, stopping at each booth, carefully picking and choosing their favorites and enjoying the variety of items at the show. All the designers were superfriendly and happy to answer questions from the girls, even though they knew the girls weren’t buyers, of course.

  Libby’s aunt walked around with them for a while, then dropped them at the H. Cashin’s booth, so Zoey and Allie could show some of Lexie’s coworkers the accessories they’d made.

  Zoey was so excited, she let Allie go first, so she could have a minute to collect herself and talk slowly. She knew it was important to make a good impression. When she finally did show them her things, she was surprised by how gracious and kind they all were. Many of them said they’d heard of Zoey and Allie and had checked out their pop-up shop. A few of them even bought samples from the girls to give to their kids and nieces.

  Zoey felt like she might be having one of the best days of her life. Could it get any better than this?

  They stayed at the show for hours, until Zoey almost felt like she couldn’t walk another step, and even her eyes felt heavy from looking at so many beautiful things.

  When Aunt Lexie suggested they go, Zoey agreed. Her brain was bursting, trying to remember every single thing she’d seen, and she felt the urge to go home and sketch immediately. She had so many new ideas! So many new things she wanted to try.

  Back at the car, as everyone was putting on their seat belts, Aunt Lexie held up her tote bag from the trade show.

  “Do you know what’s in here?” she asked.

  The girls shook their heads, confused.

  Aunt Lexie laughed, and then opened the bag, presenting each girl with one of the “favorite” accessories they’d picked during their game. Zoey and the other girls were thrilled! Lexie had gone back and convinced the vendors to give them as gifts to the girls as mementos of their wonderful day. She gave a ruffled messenger bag to Libby, a fluorescent green studded belt to Allie, and a cuff bracelet with intricate silver work to Zoey. Zoey slipped it on and sighed, feeling so happy from the events of the day.

  Then the dark, nagging thing that had been bothering her ever since her video chat with Priti reared its ugly head. No matter how hard she tried, Zoey just couldn’t get Nita’s copied dress out of her head. She decided she would ask Aunt Lexie about it. After all, she’d probably know the answer, or at least be able to offer some advice.

  She quickly explained the situation to Lexie, with Libby helpfully filling in the cracks.

  “So is that allowed?” Zoey asked. “You know, to produce and sell my design that she got from the sketch on my blog?”

  “Well,” said Aunt Lexie. “I’m afraid you’re not going to like my answer. But, yes, it is ‘allowed,’ as you say. Although, in my opinion, not in very good taste. It’s just too hard to copyright clothing design to make it possible to police something like that.”

  Zoey nodded, relieved at least to have a real answer from someone. If it was legal, and there was nothing she could do about it, well, then, there was really not much point to being upset about it, she supposed. She’d just have to move on.

  “However,” Aunt Lexie went on, “think about it this way. If someone is so impressed with your designs that they want to produce and carry them in a shop, it’s because they know they’ll be able to sell them. So that means there’s a market for your work! Maybe it’s time for you to sell some of your clothes online, now that you’ve gotten your feet wet with your accessories pop-up shop and Doggie Duds. What do you think?”

  “That’s a great idea!” Libby chimed in right away. “Oh, do it, Zoey!”

  Allie nodded. “I totally agree. You sold out all of your accessories so fast! You could start the clothing line small, with just a few items, and see how it goes.”

  Zoey shook her head in disbelief. She didn’t know what to think. Just a short time ago she was a complete sewing novice, just trying to make a simple beach cover-up. And now someone, a real buyer at a big department store, was telling her she should start selling her clothes online?

  “This has been the most amazing day ever,” Zoey announced, grinning at everyone. “I think I’m going to go for it.”

  CHAPTER 12

  Sew Zoey . . . the Store!

  I can’t believe I’m doing this, but guess what??? I’ve decided to put up my own Sew Zoey shop on Etsy (with my dad’s help, of course)! And not a pop-up this time—a real shop. For now, the pieces will be one-of-a-kind, with just a few starter pieces available at the moment, but I’ll be taking specials orders based on people’s sizes. I might even include a few of the Doggie Duds outfits for people who didn’t get to take part in the campaign. After all, those outfits were REALLY fun to make, and those dogs have been some of my happiest customers!

  I want to also say a big THANK YOU to Aunt Lexie for taking me to the trade show over the weekend, which really opened my eyes to all the great stuff out there, and for encouraging me to try my own shop!

  I can’t wait to tell my dad. . . . I think he thought he might be getting the dining room back soon. . . . Hee-hee. But it looks like it’ll be Sew Zoey headquarters for quite a while. In fact, my “headquarters” will have TWO machines in it! The repair shop finally called and said they were able to fix my mom’s machine. I can’t WAIT to have it back! I sort of miss its lack of fancy buttons. I’ll still use my Speedman machine for tricky projects, of course . . . or when I want to sew something super-duper ultra fast! For sentimental reasons, I’ll probably keep using my mom’s for daily sewing: It’s kind of like having her here. Thanks again, Speedman Sewing Machines, for saving me from sewing doom and giving me this amazing gift.

  Here’s a sketch of an outfit I’m thinking of putting in my shop. (I like the sound of that already. . . . ) The pants are in a pink fabric I found at A Stitch in Time. Don’t they look fun? I can’t wait to wear them!

  To celebrate Priti’s return from India that week, Zoey invited her, Kate, and Libby over for a pizza-and-hang-out night. It had been way too long since the four of them had had a chance to get together outside of school.

  Everyone showed up after school on Friday, ready for some serious girlfriend time. Zoey had made mini pizza bagels as snacks ahead of time, and she was pulling a batch out of the toaster oven as everyone started arriving.

  Kate came in first, wearing one of the sporty slings Zoey had made for her. She plopped herself down at the kitchen counter and grabbed a pizza bagel.

  “When do you get the sling off?” Zoey asked, watching as Kate carefully blew on the hot toppings before popping the bagel into her mouth.

  “Next week!” Kate answered. “It’s feeling a lot better, actually. I’ve definitely missed playing sports the past few weeks, but whenever I get too bummed, I just look at my MVP trophy, and I feel like it was worth it.”

  “It was worth it,” Zoey agreed. “You scored the winning goal! And you’ll be playing again really soon.”

  “Exactly,” said Kate. “And for once I’ve actually had some time to hang out with friends! A bunch of the girls from my soccer team, and, um, some boys, are all going to the movies tomorrow night.”

  Kate blushed, and Zoey’s eyes went wide. “Boys? Which ones?”

  Kate nodded. “Um, yeah. Like, you know, Lorenzo and his friends. It’s just a big gro
up of us going to the movies.”

  Kate’s words made it sound like nothing, but her face told a different story. This time, Zoey felt certain Kate had noticed Lorenzo was a boy and quite possibly even liked him.

  “Well, I think it’s cool you’re all going out,” Zoey said. “If you want, I could help you pick out an outfit to wear.”

  Kate smiled and looked relieved Zoey hadn’t asked for more details. “That’d be great, thanks.”

  “And Lorenzo’s pretty nice,” Zoey continued as Kate’s cheeks turned red, “but I’ve been thinking he and I should just be friends, you know?”

  “Really?” Kate asked quietly. Then her eyes lit up. “Well, I guess we better find you a new crush.”

  The girls were still laughing when there was a knock at the door. Priti and Libby came in together, already talking a mile a minute.

  “I’ve brought PICTURES!” Priti announced, seating herself beside Kate and holding up her phone. “Pictures of the wedding in India! And of the sacred cows in India. And so much. I can’t wait to show you guys.”

  “I can’t wait to see them!” Libby exclaimed. Then she sniffed the air. “Is that pizza I smell? Yum!”

  “Pizza bagels,” Zoey said as she transferred the bagels from the toaster oven cookie sheet to a plate, and then put them in front of the girls. She loved having all her friends over, with absolutely nothing for them to do but talk and catch up. Next to sewing, it was her favorite thing in the world.

  Libby nudged Zoey’s elbow. “Guess what? My aunt’s coworkers keep talking about you and Allie and how talented you are and how they can’t wait to buy things on your Sew Zoey shop on Etsy. So I hope you’ve gotten started!”

  Zoey smiled shyly, looking both pleased and excited by the idea that she might already have her first customers. “Well, actually, Dad thought it was a great idea, so we already launched it,” she admitted, “but with just a few items so far. I plan to add more this weekend. Tonight is my night off!”