A few years ago I sold all my pattern samples. At that time my workspace was a table in the corner of our bedroom and with the piles of fabric, the ironing board, and the stuffing bin, it felt too crowded to have so many softies and dolls everywhere. When Craftland in Providence asked if I’d like to send some toys for them to sell during the holidays I happily sent them two giant boxes with 103 of my pattern samples.
Looking back, that was a mistake. I love Craftland and I’m grateful that they sold my work, but I should have kept my samples even if it meant boxing them up to store in the attic.
When I first started selling patterns in 2012 I couldn’t afford to pay anyone to help me. I created a simple pattern layout in Microsoft Word and took all of the beauty shots for the pattern covers myself. A lot has changed since then and I now have a thriving, profitable business. I want my patterns to look better so right now I’m about half way through updating them a with a new, professional layout that graphic designer Lindsie Bergevin made for me. I also would like to get professional photos for the covers, but alas my samples are gone. Darn.
As time allows, I’m sewing fresh samples for each pattern. In early January, after I turned in the manuscript and samples for the kit I was working on, I realized I had time to work on my own projects again so I’m back to sewing samples. Late last week I sat down to remake Jeremy Giraffe, but when I looked in the drawer, this was all that was left of the giraffe fleece:
Instead of ordering online and having to wait for new fabric I figured I just go to Joann’s, pick up a yard, and get started right away. When I got to Joann’s, though, they were all out of giraffe fleece. On a whim I bought a yard of cheetah fur instead (I have a hard time walking out of a fabric store empty-handed).
When I got home I searched Etsy for cheetah patterns and none came up so I decided to design a cheetah (poor Jeremy will have to wait). This was the first draft of the face, made with no sketch:
Sometimes I have to work out an initial idea in fabric in order to figure out what I really want to do. Sketching came next and in that process I realized a doll-like cheetah would be neat. And he could be easily tweaked to become a cat (or maybe a lion?):
So I made another head. From this one I realized that the print should run up and down. Otherwise, I like him:
Today I’m working on the sample for the cheetah. He’s a boy and will have a bow tie. The girl with maybe have skirt? And the bow will be on her head. There are so many different animals I could make this way and I love that they’re big and cuddly and can sit in a kid-size chair.
Sometimes the idea for a design comes first and I then I seek out the perfect fabric and other times, like this one, it’s the fabric that dictates the idea. Cheetah pattern coming soon.
One pattern = more than one animal. Smart!
I learned to photograph everything I do. I photograph several steps as well as the final product. While I don’t mind making another sample out of one of my original patterns, sometimes I don’t recall how I put it together. I write down quick, short notes on general steps, materials needed and time from start to finish + costs on the pattern. I don’t always need this information, but it’s often been enough to help me remember how I put it together.
That’s a great thing to do, Christy. I have everything photographed, but I want new beauty shots so I need new samples.
I meant to say that I also did what you’ve done, too — sold or given away samples. I recently pulled out a pattern that I created nearly 30 years ago. It was a child’s pillow. The child it was made for is now a mother. She wanted the same pillow for her son. That was starting from scratch, for sure! I, too, am working on re-creating samples.
I’m sad for your samples but think they must be so happy in their new homes! I love your Cheetah!
Thank you. I know! I miss my samples, but I’m sure someone is loving each of them 🙂
Aw, the cheetah is adorable!
Do you know the show Wild Kratts on PBS? Sadly, my kids have outgrown it, but they’re still making new episodes. How fun would it be if you could collaborate with them to design stuffed animals to go with all the animal characters? I know there’s a cheetah episode, and this post made me think of it.
I don’t know that one, but I don’t do that kind of freelance job anyway. I’m glad you like the cheetah, though!
Oh I’m sure it wouldn’t be an easy partnership to form. But it’s a really fun show! Your youngest might enjoy it 🙂
Can’t wait to see the finished sample he looks very cute. Thanks for sharing how your design process works for you too it is interesting to learn about how people come up with their amazing creations.
When I saw your sketch I also thought you might be able to adapt her to a panda. Very sweet!
Oh, that’s an awesome idea. I love pandas.
Thank you for sharing. I’m just starting to create my own softie patterns, and I’m entirely self-taught when it comes to sewing, so it’s nice to get a peek at someone else’s process. I feel a bit less like I’m wandering around in a pitch-black room. 🙂
At times I am definitely still wandering around in a pitch-black room, but at least we’re not alone in our wanderings!
I look forward to receiving your Newsletter each Wednesday. It’s fun to see how other designers work.
I am a needlework designer who creates and sells wholesale patterns to shops. Good advice on using a
professional photographer.
Thank you for reading my newsletter, AnnaLee!
I love drawings showing the creative process. And now I want a Cheetah. I don’t even sew toys, but I want one. When you said bowtie: I have a Twitter friend who sells bowties on Etsy for pets, but our cat doesn’t wear a collar. I’m thinking I could get a collar and a bowtie for the Cheetah.
I imagine many cats would object to wearing a bowtie, however totally cute that would be!
Love to see your process, thanks for an interesting newsletter!
Thank you for sharing your design process with us. I question how many of my samples I should keep, as quilts do stack up. I took photos of all of them, although not professional. I am glad I am not the only one who begins to do a project and then does something else because of some “glitch.” It usually works out for the best, but hard to explain to my husband.
Oh totally. That’s just the creative path sometimes. It happens with articles I’m working on, too.
That was fun to be able to tap into your brain, and how you process a pattern idea! LOVE the cheetah, he is adorable! I want to try to adapt stuffed animal patterns into hand puppets, my granddaughter just loves them, and I haven’t been able to find good hand puppet patterns. So adorable, and I really look forward to your newsletters, they are so thoughtfully written.
I love puppets, too, Patty. I’ve always wanted to take a puppet making workshop. I have a pattern for set of jungle hand puppets in my shop. They were super fun to design because the heads are stuffed so they’re soft and huggable while still being a hand puppet. Thank you for reading my newsletter!
Oh my gosh, how did I not know this! Off to check out your jungle puppet pattern set in your shop, thanks!
I have some of that giraffe fleece that I would be more than happy to share. My fabrics fall under two categories; my stash is fabric that I love to share. My hoard is fabric that I can’t even bring myself to use!
Aw, that’s sweet Terry. I think I’ll find some locally in a few weeks once this cheetah is ready for the world.
Will there be an option to make these without clothes/non-gendered?
Oh sure. If you sew it all from the cheetah fur it’s totally non-gendered. You could also mix and match so do pants, shirt, and hair bow for example.
Thank you for taking the time to write about and share your process with us, Abby! I love hearing about how other designers come up with ideas. Inspiration is everywhere! The cheetah has a really sweet expression.
I love your cheetah! I would love to see it finished!
I’m curious about your graphic designer; is she specialized in patterns? Or does she only work in the instructions layout and the overall look of the final document? Thanks, I love your blog.
She does everything, but she works with lots and lots of quilting and sewing pattern designers and she sews herself so she knows exactly what to do. She can also create the template for layout. Lindsie is a whiz!