Have you ever thought about writing your own patterns but aren’t sure when to take the leap… or even how? I was in your shoes once.
I have always liked to alter patterns to suit my own quilty desires. My mother-in-law had told me for years that I should just write my own patterns. But I just wasn’t sure how to start.
My First Pattern
In early 2020 I made a rough draft of my very first pattern. It took me hours and hours and hours to work it all out in my head and on paper. It took me months to produce a final product. I learned a lot from that experience.
Around the same time that I completed my first pattern, Elizabeth Chappell from Quilter’s Candy, opened up her first Pattern Writing Course. I couldn’t believe it! The timing couldn’t have been more perfect! I knew that I needed some guidance from an experienced pattern writer. And this guidance soon proved to be invaluable!
Where Are You?
If pattern writing sounds like something you might want to try, you should first ask yourself, “Where am I in this journey?” Is quilting something you are passionate about? Or maybe it’s the designing aspect that pulls at your soul. Do you find yourself tweaking patterns to make them how you want them? Have you tried to write a pattern on your own? Or maybe you have already begun writing your own patterns but feel the process could use some polishing.
It’s important to also be realistic with yourself. Is this something that you have the capacity to take on right now in this season of your life? Perhaps this is something you really want to do, but feel overwhelmed with life right now as it is. Or maybe you’ve been feeling antsy and ready for something new!
Discovering where you are on your path will help you decide if taking the leap into starting your own pattern writing business/shop is even the right path for you at this time.
Finding Your WHY
Finding your “why” is discovering your core purpose. WHY do you want to write patterns? What about it excites you? If the answer is only “money” or “looks like easy money”- stop right there. This probably isn’t for you. It takes dedication and consistency! But if your answer is something like “sense of accomplishment/purpose” or “quilting is life”, then you can bet this will probably work out for you.
Take The Leap
So how do you know when is the right time to take the leap? Only you can answer that question. But let me just share with you that I have learned over the years that there is truly never a PERFECT time to start or learn something new. There will always be excuses not to! You just have to jump and reach for your goals and your dreams.
The good news is that you do not have to jump blindly! Elizabeth’s Pattern Writing Course is going to be your number one tool you get to use to help you on your path. When I said it changed my life- I meant it. I learned so much about pattern writing, designing, and finding my style. I developed skills and friendships that have become invaluable to me. Building connections and networking is half the battle!
I highly recommend that you take this course. You will not regret it.
If you are thinking about it and still not sure- there is a free mini class to get you started! Dip your toes in the water and see what it’s all about! Then you can decided if you want to continue moving forward with the whole course!
Invest in yourself, because you’ll never know until you try! So go ahead- take the leap!
If you’d like to read more about my experience taking this course and what I learned from it, you can read my other blog article here: From Craft to Career
