One of my dreams was to take this venture to another level. Blogging was one part of that plan. Becoming part of the quilting community has been rewarding and exciting. And the people I met along the way has exceeded my expectations!! What an amazingly friendly and talented community!
Another area I would love to wiggle into is quilt patterns. I have dabbled in this area a bit. My confidence is lacking a bit! I have written a few patterns. Trying to put together clear and precise directions/instructions is a lot harder than you think!
Case in point:
Back in November I made this quilt. I blogged about it here.
I love the different sizes of the Shoo-Fly blocks and of course, all the colors! After I finished this one, I made another with prints and was careful to write down all the sizes, shapes, fabric requirements...oh so many!
These quilts have been listed on Etsy for a good while waiting for a new home. Like months and months and months! And them BAM! It becomes the most popular thing since sliced bread! This one sold! Yay! I was pretty darn happy!
And then guess what?! Not one, but two custom orders! Seriously! After picking myself up off the floor and wiping a stupid grin off my face...I had to get serious!
The first one is much like the original. Except a white background.
The first block. This is the smallest measuring 3 1/2" square. I hadn't made any of these blocks since November and was I ever happy that I wrote the details down!
There are five different sizes from 3 1/2"-12 1/2". For this quilt it consists of 30 different colors.
Here are all the blocks done. It doesn't look like much right now, the best is yet to come!
After arranging the blocks to my satisfaction, this is how it came out.
Much to my surprise, the instructions I wrote down were almost perfect! One piece was a whopping 1/8" off! Not too bad! One good thing about this design, its pretty forgiving! Sometimes blocks don't end up exactly the size we want them too!
Just waiting on the backing fabric to arrive and I can get to quilting!
I was excited to revisit this pattern again. It really is a fun one to make. I have a renewed interest in attempting to write the pattern. Fingers crossed! I may be asking for some pattern testers! I should be asking for pattern writers, but I will give it another go!
Do you write quilt patterns? If so, any suggestions or thoughts would be very welcome!
Linking to:
I like it! I liked the other ones, too. Love your work! I'll be a pattern tester....... I don't write quilt patterns --- every time I think I've come up with a "new" pattern idea, I see that someone else has had the same idea. (At least it proves that it was a valid idea.) Hope to hear from you soon, Nadine in North Cali. rnwillis@velotech.net
ReplyDeleteThank you! I may take you up on the testing...
DeleteHi Jayne! What a fun and beautiful pattern! I love this and your idea to make different sizes of balls! x Teje
ReplyDeleteWell done you! Looks great
ReplyDeletefantastic quilt!! it looks like bubbles!! and the bright bold colours are perfect!!
ReplyDeleteif you do end up needing testers, I would love to help!! Love this block! I made a 6 block giant shoo-fly (30") for a hop I was involved in!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so on my list of testers! Thank you for taking me up on the offer!
DeleteI would be happy to be a pattern tester! The quilt looks right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely write that pattern - it looks great and would be fun to make!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the custom orders! The pattern looks great and I agree, you should write it up!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your shop doing so well! Love the layout of the blocks!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jayne! You are well on your way to accomplishing all your quilty dreams! This is a fabulous pattern. I am not one bit surprised it's so popular. Can't wait for the big pattern launch!
ReplyDeleteLove the way you used HST'sfor the circles. HST is my fav piece to work with.. I intend to give this one a try!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the orders! My blocks never turn out the size I predict. Love your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt! I've tried making some written instructions for quilts I've made and it's not as easy as one would think. The way a person interprets the written word can be quite unique and what you may have thought was really clear isn't always (guess I learned that teaching school too.) Anyhow if you need any more testers, I always thought that would be fun!. Love seeing how your patterns morphed into the quilt. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun, happy design!
ReplyDelete