Abby and I are delighted you stopped by.
As a pattern designer (I still giggle calling myself that) reading Janet's blog post this morning really resonated with me. Janet of Quiltsalott shares gorgeous applique, handy dandy helpful hints and tutorials. The post was about pattern errors and I appreciate the way in which she shares it. Please read HERE.
Janet also shares a link worth visiting and reading about an incident that occurred to a designer. If you are interested please go HERE. Perhaps if you find errors in your patterns you'll contact the designer in the kindest way. I make every effort to see that my patterns are correct. I read and reread, check and triple check, calculate and recalculate before sending to my Supreme-in-Waiting. I always ask in the case of a quilt to please make one test block first before cutting into all of the fabric. I expect accuracy and those who buy my patterns are entitled to nothing less. However, people are humans therefore not infallible.
With new patterns in the works it's always an exciting but anxious time.
~Piecefully, Stephanie
13 comments:
I think it's a good idea to spread the word, it could save us a lot of angst so thanks for that. I think you made a very good point about being kind about it when things don't go right, maybe the designer won't know otherwise.
Good post, errors do happen! I like the idea of making a test block! We have gained some really invaluable pattern testers who have come to be our best friends.
Live and learn - the pattern creator cannot be responsible for the creation of the final text. As you say, make a test block : excellent words of wisdom there.
Stephanie, Abby greeting your readers at the front door is definitely among your top 5 photos EVER - too too cute
anytime you need a blog post - would love to see more of the entry way wall quilt =]
LOVED my package
Good Morning Abby!
What an interesting post, links and all. I thought the part dealing with magazine errors was especially interesting. You wouldn't want your brand or business harmed because of the magazine error.
I think making a trial block is always a good idea. I'm usually in such a rush to start a new project that I don't follow directions thoroughly and that's what leads to problems for me.
Fun peek in your foyer, I love that quilt.
Best of luch Stephanie...
Abby, you are the best greeter, ever! Thanks for great reading material about patterns. Being one of your Supremes, I know what goes into pattern design and how you put 110% into making sure your pattern directions are correct! Often so much gets lost in the translation when others print published patterns, such as in the example. Making a test block first is one of the best ways to begin. Also, if the designer has a website or blog I almost always go there before I begin and check for pattern corrections. Great food for thought, Stephanie!
Cheers!
Thank you for sharing! Yes, you are right, we should contact the designer in a friendly way. That way others will not make a mistake in a pattern, which can be very frustrating.
Better to contact the designer than complain to others about it. I'll remember!
Happy Cottage Quilter just had this link on her blog too. I read it.
I have had the experience of not having a patter right. I wrote to the author and she just poo pooed me. I even had my husband make sure my measurements were right. Live and learn to make a practice block first. Good advice. Love your photos.
Very interesting post. Guess I never though a magazine would print a pattern incorrectly. Although I know mistakes can happen.
Say hello to Abby!
Thanks Stephanie for helping spread the word. Much appreciated. Say hello to Abby! She is one very cute dog.
I have had it happen several times with a well known designer. Things like log cabins needing 3 rounds when the instructions say only 2 rounds, or huge fabric wastage when you are told to cut something only to trim many inches off it! I haven't dared say anything to her though.
Your patterns though are a dream to make- the cutting is accurate, the instructions step by step and detailed and very well illustrated. Keep up the good work!
My huge bugbear with some book designers is their "enlarge pattern pieces by 200%". I find it so hard to do on my little photocopier. It takes me half a day of hit and miss jiggerypokery by which time I am thinking less than pleasant thoughts about the publisher who has inflicted it on me. To make matters worse, the pieces would fit within the book if they had been given just a few extra pages!
I agree 100% with what you say about the pattern... And epecially about being nice to others. I just read a post where I lacked the politely sense I think we all agree must be present in an online community.
But really hit me is the color of your front door - this is exactly the blue color I was trying to define a little while ago :) Beautiful door !
Beautiful pictures!
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