Behind The Scences of Pattern Writing

I've been spending way more time behind the computer screen than I have behind the sewing machine these days. Writing a pattern, at least if it's a fairly extensive one, is not exactly a weekend project. I always love it when others share those behind the scenes moments of what it really takes to make something happen, so I thought I would do the same and share a bit of my pattern writing process.

While EQ7 has its many ins and outs that have to be learned, overall I'm pretty satisfied with what the program can do. When I work on a pattern, I usually hand draw what I am working on first, and then I have to translate it into a usable form, and for this I usually end up doing a lot of work in the PatchDraw + Motif section. This is where I can make applique shapes that I can layer on a quilt.

After scanning my drawing, I can import it into EQ7. From there I go to the Tracing Image tab, at the bottom of the worktable, and select the image that I want to work on. There is an option to crop the image and then fill the image in for editing.

At this point, I can then  use the Line Tool, Bezier Curve Tool, and the Shape Tool to trace and then manipulate the illustration.
 

Once I am finished with an image, I can also export it to use for block assembly illustrations and instructions, or whatever decorative additions I would like to add.

When I was catching up on the pattern writing series last year from Meadow Mist, one of the guest designers passed along one of the best tips for me. Sew Fresh Quilts, shared that she uses(d) Power Point for some of her illustrations.There is no doubt that there are some really fancy-schmancy graphic programs out there that perhaps make it look like kindergarten, child's play, but I have to say for a not-so-computer-savvy person like myself, I'm impressed and surprised by the ease of use with decent results. Both of these assembly illustrations were make using Power Point:

One of the most beneficial websites that I've stumbled onto recently is Pixlr.com. The reason this has been so valuable to me is that I can create PNG images for free. Basically, these are just images where the shape is "cut out", or transparent, and the background is not visible. The advantage is that you can layer the EQ7 shapes without having the background in the way. Here's what I mean. In this illustration, you can see the leaf on the right cannot be layered because the background belongs to the image.

There is a really great YouTube video that shows you step by step how to make an image transparent that can be used for layering, and looks instead like this:

So whether you are a hobby quilter or looking to turn your hobby into a career, perhaps these might be a few useful tips to use in your own quilt designs . Do you have an helpful quilt design or graphic design tips to pass along? Any favorite free online programs?

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The Center Of It All

Perhaps you've noticed already that Wednesdays are my posting days. It was actually something that I had started after I had re-joined the blogging world, and was linking up weekly with WIP Wednesdays. (ah, remember those days?) Having a set date actually keeps me motivated to keep up with posting, but it doesn't always match the current progress of projects that I might be working on. Right now, I'm literally just a day or two away from sharing my finished medallion quilt top, but that would mean you would have to wait... hmmm. But you certainly didn't think that I would leave you with the Wednesday high-and-dry's, did you?

So this week, I'm sharing the center medallion of the quilt pattern that I am currently writing. Next week is the flimsy finish with the applique borders, including the story behind the inspiration. After that, comes the fun part of continued writing and editing the pattern to get it into the hands of pattern testers - goal is end of September with a February release...

 ... but until then, I'll just let these two lovebirds take center stage.

Interested in pattern testing?... just let me know. Oh, and keep those name suggestions coming in.

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Applique Sampler Teaser

Are you ready for yet ANOTHER secret sewing project? Well, it would appear that I am. It all starts with that one little spark... you know, that spark that lights the first big idea, that leads to another, and then spreads like a wildfire until it is all consuming and cannot be stopped?

I've had it in my head for quite a while now to work on my own ALL applique pattern. I usually keep a few cluttered folders around with sketches and such when I work on a pattern. I don't always have an end result in mind at first, but the general direction is always clear. So, one little sketch turned to two, which turned into four, and by the time they had made it to six, they had made into EQ7 and you know what comes next... a few test blocks.

I suppose, I've been on such a roll with my Chuck Nohara blocks, that I'm starting to think in terms of "everything must be appliqued"... especially with starch. But one thing that I have to say about applique is that it generally tends towards traditional designs and is often pretty labor intensive. I realize that not everyone is a slow stitcher, or even a hand stitcher at all... including myself. I suppose that's what's been guiding this now third pattern in the works... a fresh and updated applique project with simple shapes that is still interesting enough for a seasoned hand stitcher without overwhelming the beginner appliquer by what feels like 1,000 tiny leaves in a single 8 inch block!

Sneaky peeks for now... geez, I've got two more patterns in the works that have to be knocked out soon... what are you working on?

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Finish Line In Sight!

I've been working really hard on my second quilt pattern, and am now almost finished with the quilt top! I just have to add a border and some additional applique circles to finish it off. Generally when I work on a pattern, I make it first to see if my idea will even translate into a usable pattern, and then I backtrack to write the instructions.

Perhaps it might be a little backwards in my thinking, but it's somehow the way I work best. I suppose it could also be because I procrastinate on the computer work, much preferring to sew than to calculate math... you too?

Of course there is still the quilting ahead, and as usual, this will be no small quilt. It would appear that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and as my dad would say, if you're going to do it at all, then do it big!

This pattern will be a little of everything with curved piecing, traditional piecing, and applique. I had originally thought that I would include paper piecing in this pattern, but realized that I could accomplish the same result with traditional piecing. I have to admit that I love paper piecing so much, that sometimes I much prefer the method to traditional simply based on those perfectly matched points! 

No release date planned yet, but I am planning to share more this time before an official release because I would like to allow my pattern testers a little more time to work on this one. 

Linking up to Let's Bee Social

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Jeweled Kaleidoscope Pattern Reveal!

Sometimes when you've been working on something so intensely with no end in sight, once the light at the end of the tunnel moment comes, it's hard to believe when you actually make it out on the other side at the finish line! I've teased, hinted, and showed little sneak peeks for so long, that I can tease and hint no more... now I can finally share my very first pattern - Jeweled Kaleidoscope!

I have to admit that it's been really hard to keep a project like this under wraps! Behind the scenes there is so much going on that can't be shared which gives the appearance of not much going on. Well, the cat's out of the bag and I'm now ready to talk about it... a lot!

The quilt is a combination of foundation paper piecing and applique, and was my first quilt that I sent out to be quilted. If sending your kids off to college is anywhere on the same level as sending off this quilt, then it appears that I really have some work ahead of me!?!

Iva did such an amazing job on the quilting and I couldn't be more pleased. We kicked around several design ideas before we decided on the final quilting... talk about her being patient with this picky customer!?! I really love how she highlighted the circle applique with some incredible ruler work.

The next step is the pattern testing phase and a planned official release in the next 3-4 weeks. I am looking for pattern testers, so if you're interested, then let me know (and if you've tested for anyone before). Now that the silence has been broken, and I can't wait to share more with you over the next weeks!

Linking up to Let's Bee Social.

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Such A Tease

Did anyone ever tease you in school? We've all been teased, and when it happened it wasn't always fun... but sometimes the person that did the teasing might have done it because they actually liked you. Pause... hmmm, with that being said, what do you think about just a little teasing today? I'm certainly hoping that this is the kind of teasing that you like!

I am in the home stretch of completing my first pattern and hope to share it next week! (eekk!) On such an endeavor, there is always so much behind the scenes things that have to be done before hitting that official launch button. On one hand it's a great feeling of satisfaction to be so far, but what that actually means is that I have been on the computer a lot more than at the sewing machine these days. On the plus side, my EQ7 program and I have gotten to know each other quite well, but as with all relationships, there are some days that you like each other and some days that you don't.

This is my first quilt to be quilted by someone else. Just look at the amazing quilting that Iva at Schnigschag Quilts and More did on my quilt... absolutely stunning, don't you think? Another first is that this is the first backing that I have not pieced. Somehow when I thought about how I wanted to finish this quilt, there were no questions asked... this Tula Pink "Freefall" wideback fabric was the ONLY thing that in my mind was the perfect fit.

So, for the official status of things: Quilt is quilted? - check. First draft is finished? - check. Paper pieicng templates finished? - check? Binding and photos are planned for this week and I still am working on some shop issues... I can see the light at the end of the tunnel... can you?

Linking up to Let's Bee Social.

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Secrets Come In Two's

When I said that I was doing a lot of secret sewing, I really wasn't kidding!?! My Jeweled Mystery quilt top is almost finished and will go out soon to be longarm quilted - my first quilt to be finished by someone else! If you don't know Iva's work, then you really need to check her out here... just amazing! 

Well, now that the cat's out of the bag that I'm working on writing quilt patterns, I can let you in on a few behind the scenes in the works. The second pattern that I am working on really is a little bit of everything - traditional piecing, paper piecing, applique, and curved piecing... is there anything that I left out?!?

... and what's a good quilt block without a little bit of mini cuteness in the mix? 1 1/2 inch HST cuteness to be exact.

It's been fun for me to explore a variety of time saving techniques to make things come together faster... like this great HST tutorial that I found on Pinterest... why re-invent the wheel, right?

Hmm... trimming HST's in not exactly my favorite part, but a necessary evil that now matter how hard you try, you just can't get around.

Aside from our move, our big guy starts school this Saturday, and we have been enjoying the relaxed, off-schedule summer days. Despite the slow pace of things, I'm sooo ready to make it back to my sewing room!

Linking up to Let's Bee Social.

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Listen... Do You Want To Know A Secret?

Before our recent move, I was actually able to make significant progress on two secret projects that I've been hinting at for way too long... I'm in the process of writing my own quilting patterns! Since it is such a lengthy process not only to write the pattern, but also make a sample quilt, it's been hard keeping it under wraps... week after week making lots of progress, but nothing to show!

If you have seen very many of my quilts, you may have noticed a little addition here that doesn't usually pop up in the rest of my projects, and is definitely not a staple in my fabric stash. Somehow I felt like that this quilt just needed to have grey in it! So, am I the only one who chain pieces paper pieced patterns?
 

... but behind the scenes, this quilt top is getting close to being finished! The first pattern will of course be a paper pieced pattern with some applique... what else, right? Somehow I'm just not ready to step away from my jewel colors, and this palette has made it back up on my design wall once again.

There's no offiical release date lurking around the corner, and I even hesitated about letting the cat out of the bag too early. There are still a few boxes in random corners throughout the house waiting to be unpacked, and our big guy starts school this next month (!?!), so needless to say, my plate is pretty full. Are you working on any summer sewing projects?

Linking up to Let's Bee Social.

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