When I read on the Skeins list of Randi Nelson’s accident, my first thought was OUCH, that sounds like something I would have done

And, I had all to clear memories of how painful, frustrating & worst of all Boring, the recovery from this type of injury (a drunk driver ran over my motorcycle).

Then I thought, what better time to revisit ways she can market “on-line” – for someone with Randi’s wit and writing, blogging is going to be a “natural”, so I thought I’d share the link and you can learn more about Randi’s World In Stitches
and have a chance to leave her your get well wishes.

Peace of the Season

Wheat

P.S. JFG (Just for Giggles) If you want to hear the music that kept playing in my head as I read her story the first time, find a clip of Grandma Got Run Over By Raindeer

Keeping in mind that we are talking about the tasks that support the designer, most people do not realize there is a huge difference between creating a design and writing the instructions.

In fact, often times the original designer does not make any more than a swatch or a block before the project is handed off to the Pattern Writer.

Who is the Pattern Writer? It can be the designer (and sometimes that is where the process starts) or it can be someone handed a finished item, and asked to “reverse engineer” the project. Or my personal favorite is to start with the Designer Notes & The Garment and “go from there”. Or it can be just the concept, crocquis and swatch/block.

What is the primary responsibility of the Pattern Writer? It is the job of the pattern writer to ensure that the list of steps, and the explanation of each step is written in a clear concise manner, using standard abbreviations where ever possible according to the format dictated by the publisher.

What are the requirements to be a pattern writer? That’s pretty simple, whatever the craft or type of needlework. you must:

• well grounded in the technique and tools,
• have the ability to pay extreme attention to detail.
• need to be something of a perfectionist
• be able to balance perfection with deadline orientation

For those writing for garments, you really need to know how to do sizing, because it is not just about adding inches.

And the Golden Rule?
The work you produce must enable the average consumer to complete the project without undue heartache.

Your comments and questions are welcomed.

Wheat

P.S. To read more posts in this series, select the category

It Is All Just Business
from the side bar or Search for Designer Resources

I am not much of an Oprah Show fan, although certainly an admirer of the many things she has accomplished.One of the few times I did watch, was when she happened to introduce “Gratitudes”

What a wonderful concept to apply to every day living.. being grateful for the good makes it so much easier to deal with the ugly.

Throughout my life, in spite many challenges, not the least is what my oldest friend calls “being a catalyst” it has been my honor to have been helped in many ways by many people.

So, it just seemed right to have a place to explain why I will always hold them in my heart and thank them for always being there for me.

As so often happens sometimes music says it best (that and roses on your birthday) So with special thanks to “TH”
Here is today’s “music clip”

Peace to you in all seasons

Wheat

A few weeks ago Joan Hawley was chatting about Fall Quilt Market and mentioned her fascination with Clover’s New Yo-Yo tool. So when a box arrived from Clover with new stuff including samples of each size, I have been speculating on some sort of extreme Yo-Yo Project.

One of the interesting new magazine for sewists is Cutting Edge

I can’t wait to hear what Joan has to when she see the the Winter Issue and this fun project

Cutting Edge – Wild Things p.78-79

It is just giving me visions of a HUGE Yo-Yo-Purse, covered in Tiny Yo-Yo’s on Joan’s arm, or for me perhaps on the back of a Jacket, just have to decide if I should just read the directions in the magazine or try using the Clover Tools as a “template” to make a HUGE tool from card board and then on to a “PROJECT”

Just something silly to think about and maybe do during the long cold days of winter

Whether it is a block or swatch and sketch, it all starts with the design concept created by the Designer.

Hardly a day goes by that someone in some “designer” group does not ask “What’s Selling”

Design is like art, those who sell best may have all the technical skills to do what’s popular, creating “on demand” and they are one type of designer.

In those same discussions there are also those who make the extremely valid point,
Long term success is when the Designer chooses to take the risk of making their own kind of music and first producing the design and then worrying about where to sell it.

Everything after that “might” be done by hired guns or by the Designer, but there are a number of separate tasks that “someone has to do” in order for a design to move from mind to the runway or pattern or chart.

Not necessarily in order, but here are a few of those tasks
• Pattern Writing
• Tech Editing
• Pattern Testing
• Model Maker
• Photography
• Illustrations
• Romance Language

and more.

The Goal of this series is to share my perspective and hopefully you will add your comments and ideas. But the place to start, well, perhaps some music will help Something LIke the Mama’s & Papa’s … Make Your Own Kind Of Music

Wheat

P.S. To read more posts in this series, select the category

It Is All Just Business
from the side bar or Search for Designer Resources