Going to Quilt Market last week was a blast. I don’t mean that in a snarky way at all, for those of you that weren’t there. But any time I go to Market, crazy things usually happen. This time was no different.
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| I stole my friend’s Instagram picture. Sorry. |
I went and got my Schoolhouse for Pellon out of the way the first day. The remaining two days I walked around by myself, taking pictures and visiting with certain folks. Which sounds kind of sad, haha. Most of my friends were there to work. Which made me feel kind of guilty yet smug. “Oh, I think I’ll just wake up and sit in bed watching SVU and working on this embroidery until I feel like getting dressed.” That kind of thing.
My friend Kim always tells me that I am very unassuming and oblivious. She says that is what is charming about me. I’m not sure if that is a nice way to tell me that I’m a bit of an idiot. When I started up my pattern shop on January 31st of this year, I felt like I had a lot of ideas but I didn’t know what to expect. I thought that if I sold maybe 10-20 patterns a month, that would be really awesome. I’m not exactly selling 10 patterns a month, so this is where the idiot part comes in.
When I went to Portland for Market, I had a lot of people that I didn’t know ask me where my booth was. Or where they could buy my stuff to stock in their shop. Because I only sell make-believe things (pdf sewing patterns), I had nothing to offer them. I felt kind of weird and embarrassed but that’s okay.
Then someone who definitely knows what she’s doing took me to her print shop’s booth and pointed me in the right direction. I never thought I would sell a printed pattern. My patterns have too many pages. And I don’t have any money for that kind of thing. I was really surprised because the whole weekend, person after person told me that I could do it. And that I should do it.
So I got home from Portland and opened up one of my patterns. And you know what? When you reduce the font size, take out some of the photos (okay, so the step photo showing how to topstitch a strap technically isn’t necessary; I’m sure you can read my instructions and figure that one out), my patterns actually enter the realm of printed possibility.
And well, I’m actually going to do it. I’m waiting for some price quotes to come back from the printers. And I’m actually thinking about having a booth at Market next spring. Crazy, I know. The pdf’s aren’t going away, ever! But hopefully having printed patterns out there in the world will help more people make some fun bags. 🙂
I have to say that the people that work in this sewing and quilting industry are some of the most kindhearted and generous people that you could ever meet. No one is shy about giving me a kick in the pants or offering me advice based on their past experience. I seriously appreciate anyone who’s talked to me about this and made me feel like I can do it.
And I’m super happy that you all have liked my bag patterns enough to make me feel like I’ve done a good job and done the right thing by making them. So I just wanted to share this long-winded post with you because I feel like everyone who reads this blog has played a part in helping me along this awesome path. 🙂
Hooray for you, Sara!
Go Sara! You CAN do it!
Great news, I hardly ever buy a pdf pattern, most times my printer chews it up and spits it out with gaps, probably my fault but I just gave up on the whole process.
Way to go Sara!!! 🙂 Once you go into print, be sure the LOCAL shops know about it too! 🙂 The needle shop carries all sorts of purse patterns and yours should be there too! 🙂
I’ve had the privilege of sewing only one of your patterns so far, and it was great.. I do plan on more 😉 I’m excited for you and your adventure!
Good for you!!! Best wishes on the new direction!
Exciting!!!!! Good things come to good people!
Excellent! Always grow and follow your dreams!
Very cool! You can do it!
That is awesome!! Good for you!
of COURSE you can do this! so glad you have to confidence to have them printed…people are so nice…glad you are getting lots of support!
Im rootin’ for ya! (hearts and smiles)
That is fantastic! I can’t wait to see your patterns in my LQS!
I am trying the Petrillo Bag. I just purchased some half yards of Jennifer Paganelli “Circa” and I am dying to use it on something cute. Good luck on printing your patterns. My friend’s mentor has the Villa Rose cards which are postcard size with a quilt pattern on it. It probably would not take too many pages to put your bag pattern on.
Oh yay! With my finicky printer I’m not as fond of pdf patterns, so I’m looking forward to hard copies!
Big steps Sara, you can take them!
LOL I felt so sorry, reading your first lines, but it is great coming up with new ideas… There are lot´s of online shops in GErmany offering Paper Pattern too. Maybe you should try them too, Good luck… love your bags!!!
Sara, as someone who has tested quite a few of your patterns I can honestly say GO FOR IT!! You have a true talent and if you do have a booth next year it will be truly successful. Print those patterns and start shopping for the booth decor NOW!
I’m going to try and convince my hubby to watch the boys in the fall or spring so I can go to one. I’ll be the goofy one walking around on my own with my jaw hanging open LOL
Congrats on your big decision and next step!
Cindy 🙂
That would be nice! Go for it Sara, your patterns are great, I love them. Good luck!
Woot! That’s so exciting! So happy for you :o)
I think this is a fantastic step for your business and I’m so glad you had that experience at Market to steer you in the right direction 🙂
It is always so scary taking the next big step…know EXACTLY what you mean…you do superb patterns Sara, they should be out there. Contemplating similar myself, going to see how the Quilt Show goes this Summer then make plans.Scary, but fun. GO GIRL!x
Yay! Good luck with the next phase of your business!
Sara
This is fantastic news. I am sure that these will be really popular. I love your patterns and how easy they are to follow. I am sure that even if you didn’t reduce the number of pages that people would be happy to buy them. I do love your PDF patterns because I do not have to pay for international postage but I would love to be able to buy one of your printed patterns to send to friends.
YOU GO GIRL!!! This is a wonderful development and I am sure it will be a HUGE success!
Sara, you can do it. Then post and let us know how. You deserve to be out there in the stores with your patterns!
That’s so exciting! I know having an already printed pattern would be lovely (for me anyway).
Don’t take out too many photos ~ us visual people like them!
Fantastic news Sara! It was great to connect at market.
~Heather
That’s so awesome! I’m so proud of you 🙂 Remember You can do anything you put your mind to? It’s true! Good Luck!
That’s great to hear Sara, how exciting! Looking forward to seeing you in print, in store 🙂
That is fabulous!!
Yay Sara!!!! That is awesome :o) I love the “make believe stuff” and am happy you’ll be getting into the paper stuff too. Congrats! I hope you enjoyed Portland, even if it was rainy and chilly. I love it here (and the weather isn’t always so sucky).
Fingers crossed. I hope it’ll work out for you. As we know you have the guts to do things. Someone who is able to cut into quilt top and make dress out of it can do anything! Good luck!
Woohoo! I love printed patterns! It saves on those people who hate printing out everything! 🙂
I am very glad your are going to make printed patterns. I love the bags you make and I am a “bag junkie”! That is one of my favorite things to make in the quilting world. So I can’t wait to see these patterns.
Yay, congrats! Do you need a glamorous assistant? Hee hee
I am sooo excited!!! AND I know one shop that will be waiting to order some patterns when they are ready.
I think that patterns on paper are in many ways better than PDFs – I’m just used to buying PDF, because I get them immediately and can start workin with them in 5 minutes. Also, PDFs reduce shipping costs – and I think that’s the main reason I buy them. But if I’d see your patterns in a local fabric shop, I’d buy them. So good luck!
Congratulations, Sara! Takin’ it to the next level — woo! I can’t wait to see more from you– I’ve been particularly looking forward to when you start dipping your toes into garment patterns, and knowing that there’s a chance they’ll be available in print form makes me soooo excited! Best of luck on this new part of your adventure! 🙂
I enjoyed reading this post. Your excitement is really contagious. Wishing you all the best in this new endevour!
That’s awesome Sara! I so love to see somebody charging ahead despite queasy feelings. It makes me think I can do it too. You’re inspiring!
Happy to give you the nudge you needed! 🙂
I think you’re pretty awesome, and hope that you don’t feel like an idiot ever again! 🙂
I think pdfs just make sense when you have an online presence, but i think the paper print would be great for the in store, you can sell more in bulk! I’m excited for you! I think i saw you last year at the KC quilt market, but I just started following your blog shortly before the market. Next time I see you I’ll say hi 🙂 … and no, i’m not a stalker potential, unless you want me to be. HAHA, kidding
I actually look for your patterns everywhere I go in hopes you’ve snuck them into the shop (clear in Montana), or even, maybe a freebie pamphlet at JoAnn’s. Keep up the good work! And if you were at Market, I for sure think I’d have to find some way to get there!!!