So, you’ve picked out all your fabrics, drawn a dynamite design and stitched it to perfection. Now what?Our patterns begin with a finished sample. In this case a purse – or a few of them. We like to work on this part first (before getting into the instructions) because it takes weeks to have the covers printed. While those are being printed, then we get into the guts of the pattern.

Let’s start with our newest creation, The ClaudieJo Bag. They were designed by Claudia Atchison and Jody Rosenhauer (hence the name). They’re made using charm squares and each bag is a mini art creation on it’s own. Naming a pattern can be a tricky process in itself. Sometimes you have the name before the sample is started. Other times, it takes hundreds of suggestions to get to the final name.

You need some variety when you have small items like these, plus you really want to show people the many possibilities. The first step is a photo of the sample. No problem, right? Well, not always. The lighting and setting needs to be just right. We tried several different settings – on a cute hall tree, flat on the ground and hung on a wall.

We thought the hall tree set up was great because you could see all of the purses at once. But, it was too busy, the background didn’t work, and you couldn’t see the purses up close……… What about the purse on the wall? Well, we just didn’t like how the handles looked…. So the winner was, the purse photo on the ground (center). We played around with handle positions and got some good shots.The next step in this process is designing the cover of the pattern using our photos. Our next blog will begin that process. Be sure to check back in next week….

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Amy Cotham & Judy Reynolds
Black Cat Creations

Ever wonder what goes into the creation of a quilt pattern? Think it’s a snap? Well, over the next few weeks, we’ll share that process with you – or at least our process. Each person’s is different.

For us, the creation of a pattern can start with a doodle on graph paper or playing around on a quilt design program. Once inspiration came from a tile floor in a bathroom. Sometimes it’s the fabric that inspires us. The manufacturers today do a great job of creating gorgeous lines of fabrics that just leave us drooling. We have folders of designs that have never made it to the cutting table because they just didn’t work or we were waiting for just the right fabrics to come along. You start cutting and piecing and you know instinctively when something is good and will appeal to other people. Those are the ideas that come to life.

A big part of our inspiration are the quilt shops. Having worked in shops, we know what they need to sell fabric and lots of it. A good pattern can do that for them. They are trying to sell the fabrics put out there by the manufacturers – the same fabric that inspires us. It’s our job to make a product that will not only sell for us, but will also sell fabric for the quilt shops and the manufacturers. We all sort of depend on each other.

And, yes, we design patterns because it’s just fun, but also because we want to put a little money away. It’s been great to do something we love and be able to do it while raising kids and running a household. To be honest, Judy and I just wanted to be able to buy fabric whenever we wanted without dipping into the household stash. I think you can say we’ve accomplished that and more.

Once you have an idea that you think is doable, then comes the fun. Picking fabrics and deciding just how you’re going to put this thing together so that anyone can pick up your pattern and make one just like yours. No problem? Not always. Sometimes a design looks nothing like it’s original concept once your finished. They evolve and take on a life of their own.

Stay tuned. Each week we’ll make a new blog entry that will take you into the actual steps of creating the finished product – a completed pattern.

Amy Cotham & Judy Reynolds

Black Cat Creations

We usually don’t say much about what goes on behind the scenes around here but yesterday was an unusual one.  Around 10:00am we had a complete system crash.  Our web site, QuiltersWarehouse.com and phone order system was down until around 6:00pm last night.

It was a trying day around here with our fate in the hands of ”IT Geeks”,  you got to love’em.   A special thank you goes out to the staff at Pavey & Associates and e2 Solutions.  Their dedication to ensuring that our customers get their quilt fix is outstanding.

Our appologies to those of you who tried to login for your daily viewing of quilt patterns, books and all things ‘quilty’.   All should be well today (Hurray!)

There are so many great fabric related things going on around the web.  Joan Hawley from Lazy Girl Designs wrote to tell us about a miniature sewing/quilt room in a box that she shares on her blog.

Here’s Joan:

“John, I thought you might want to share this with your fabric-crafting readers. I think anyone who creates with a sewing machine will enjoy this.

I have to tell you about some pictures a friend sent me the other day. It all started when I saw a post on Pamdora’s Box about a miniature art gallery dollhouse.  Well, I told my friend Penny Deckard, of The Cotton Vault about it and she emailed to tell me about a quilt-themed gift box she made for a friend.  When I saw the pictures, I told Penny it was too cute to keep to herself and I asked her to consider sharing this fabulous cutie with all of us and to tell us more about the project. Here’s the gift box with the lid sitting off to the side:

Here’s what Penny had to say about the project:

“This gift box quilting scene was so fun to make. My friend owns a quilt shop & I have a quilting web store so it has become difficult to give gifts that don’t involve fabric. I go to a doll shop every Saturday & we make dolls/clothes, 2 years ago one of the ladies showed us her Christmas box & we were all off & running. I wish I had pictures of the others, a few are being made this year. I love playing with miniatures, I wish I had the patience for a miniature quilt (someday). Anyway she likes the Victoriana look, it all folds up into a gift box. Hubby wired the entire thing so the tree lights up & the candles on the mantle. It was fun fun! Thought you might like it.”

I love the details. Look at that kitty stretching on the rug. There’s a project in progress at the sewing machine. And the bolts of fabric, too! Click on each picture for a larger view.

I wish my sewing room was as nice and neat as this Victorian fantasy.  If this was a model of my sewing room there would be one inch of ‘stuff’ all over the floor with a narrow foot path throughout. Note to self – clean sewing room!”   

What, no peanuts on the floor?   Thanks Joan for sharing this with us.