After literally 10 years of going back and forth on whether I wanted to design and write individual quilt patterns, I’ve finally come to a decision – I’m going to do it! For real! :-) I’m jumping on the bandwagon, diving in head first, or whichever metaphor is appropriate for what I’m doing, LOL!
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you’ll know that the best way for me to accomplish a given task is to blog about it. So guess what? I’ve decided to take you along with me on this journey as I go from concept to completion.
These cover shots are ok – but there’s no branding!
The background leading up to this decision:
I’ve seriously wanted to do patterns forever but never thought I had the skills to successfully sell my own patterns. I can do all the math and come up with the designs, but the idea of creating a professional looking layout was a huge roadblock for me. It hasn’t stopped me from releasing a limited number of self-designed PDF patterns, but I wasn’t ready to get serious about pattern design until now.
At first I thought I’d learn how to do everything myself, take some online courses, and read a few books on how to create a professionally looking layout. But you know what – I tried that and found that it’s just not fun for me. In the end, I’ve decided to hire a graphic designer (hi Lindsie!) to do that part for me, so I could concentrate on what I love best: designing, writing, and making quilts.
It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized this is the same reason people hire others to do their machine quilting. Those graphic designers are probably rolling their eyes at me thinking, “but it’s so easy” – the same way I’m out there trying to encourage others, “but machine quilting is so fun!” I will machine quilt in my sleep if I have to, as long as I can avoid having to illustrate and layout my own patterns, LOL!!
My one and only print pattern can use a little help with graphics – don’t you think?
The First Steps
Like I said, I’m going the professional graphic designer route, but you certainly don’t have to! I’m also working with my friend Tina from Mod Geometry to do a little pattern testing on the side. I’ll first update and re-release all of my current PDF patterns, and finish a few that are in various stages of completion. Then I will release the print versions with sales channels to be determined later.
I’m also working with Lindsie to update the look and feel of my logo and blog. Nothing will change functionally, but we’ll work together to create some cohesive branding, which I’m really excited about.
Now that I have the rights back to Colorful Chevrons, I can re-release it myself.
Future Goals
I guess the big pie-in-the-sky dream for any pattern designer is to have a booth at quilt market and get picked up by national distributors. While I’ll certainly consider that for the future, it won’t be the measure of my success in the short term.
For now, I’ll be happy to have professional looking patterns which I can sell to my fabulous readers, use to teach from myself, and offer to other instructors for them to teach from. I get a lot of requests to use my designs as the basis for other teachers’ classes, so If I can help them out with a ready-made pattern at an affordable price, then it’s a win-win for all of us!
Getting published in magazines was a great way to get my feet wet with pattern writing!
A Little Bonus
For a limited time, you can purchase any of my current PDF patterns for just 4.95! When all is said and done, I’ll offer them for the normal going rate once they are all jazzed up. So stock up now while you can!
Hopefully my collection of patterns will grow over time.
If you’ve purchased any of my patterns in the past, I’d love to hear your feedback on how I can improve them in the future. Just shoot me an email or leave your comments below.
And if you are thinking of getting into pattern design – don’t wait 10 years like I did!
Filed under: Business, Publishing, Soapbox Tagged: Quilt Patterns
