Comments on: The Quality of Patterns – A Discussion

By: BJ

BJ — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 20:32:03 +0000

I love a well written pattern. With. Instructions precise and clearly written, it makes my job of teaching senior citizens much easier. I always make a sample of any quilt I teach. I have to fully understand the directions myself in order to help them. I once took a workshop where purchasing the pattern was a requirement of the class, only to find that all measurements in it were wrong. From the amount of fabric to buy to the size of the finished project. When asked, the teacher(author) admitted she had not made the quilt or had it tested in any way. After that experience, I no longer allow my quilters to buy a pattern until I have checked it out first.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 23:17:05 +0000

great column! thanks for the insight. As a designer of patterns, I appreciate your ideas and advice. Glad I am not the only one who reads other people’s patterns, I think it is a great way to glean ways of describing things, what to include, etc.

By: Maricela

Maricela — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 11:52:01 +0000

I don’t even know the way I ended up here, however I believed this post was great.
I don’t understand who you might be but definitely you are going to a famous blogger should
you are not already. Cheers!

By: Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 05:46:43 +0000

You totally hooked me on this subject! I interpreted the original “quick buck” comment as the commenter saying patterns put out with unclear, abbreviated, confusing or inaccurate instructions were done by someone wanting to make a quick buck. I imagine that commenter would agree that working with testers and selling a pattern with clear and accurate instructions is a different thing altogether. I have enjoyed reading about your process.

By: Sam Hunter

Sam Hunter — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 04:55:05 +0000

In reply to Bobbi Penniman. Oh my! That's so sad! My rule of thumb is to write for 40'' width, also the rule that C&T asked me to write the book for. By the time you take off the selvedges (and especially if you trim them a little larger to be able to use them for something) 44 just isn't possible.

By: Bobbi Penniman

Bobbi Penniman — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 01:37:05 +0000

I recently bought a pattern for a large bag that called for 44″ wide fabric on the ingredients on the back. Foolishly I assumed any standard width cotton would be ok. No, it really used every inch of that 44″ and would not work any other way. I wrote the (well known) designer that virtually no cotton fabric is 44″ usable anymore, most are about 40-41″ at best. She told me I should have used batiks and that her testers, most of whom are “engineers” had no problem laying out the pieces on their 44″ wide fabrics.

Her arrogance was astonishing.

By: Melanie in IA

Melanie in IA — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 20:31:58 +0000

Your theme doesn’t seem to be set up with replies directly to comments. Instead they fall in place corresponding to when you wrote them. The original commenter won’t know you are responding to them that way. Or at least, if you responded to me, I don’t have a way to tell that.

If the theme can’t be changed, you can always respond to people by going to comments in the dashboard instead. Underneath each person’s comment are several options, including “reply.”

And if I have this all wrong, and you know where and how to do that, I apologize in advance.

By: Sam Hunter

Sam Hunter — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 02:25:22 +0000

Lori – bravo and YES! I actually got fan mail about a pattern this week – can’t tell you how much it matters to hear a good word!

By: lorieast

lorieast — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 22:13:58 +0000

Well said, Sam. It’s very frustrating when people want what you do for nothing. I think we all agree that if money were no object, it’d be easy to give it away, but facts is facts. You’ve got to eat (as well as pay for all the fabric, batting, thread, etc.).

I’m sad to be seeing more and more people who are of the opinion that if it’s on the internet, it should be free. I have asked those same folks why a gallon of milk in the grocery store isn’t free. It’s just sitting there, after all. Yes, that might be a little harsh, but usually helps them understand why what they’re asking is absurd.

I rarely buy patterns anymore but will still comment to pattern writers when I like what they do. I’m a firm believer that the world can be tough and that the more we do to support each other, the better.

By: Sam Hunter

Sam Hunter — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:17:03 +0000

In reply to Barb Grutter. Yes! We must always do our best!! ~ Sam