Calling all designers - Lots o' questions

> I need your input here. I've been thinking of starting a pattern production
> side line to augment the family income (which is pretty low as a SAHM). I
> used to have a quite successful graphic design business (pre-kids) so I have
> all the software tools, production experience, etc. My experiences as a
> quilt teacher have shown me a lot about what different levels of students
> can work with. I've been looking at some of the "home made" type patterns
> lately and, with no insult intended, I could do a much better job of
> production, proofing, layout, etc. (Don't worry, I can't design worth beans!
> LOL) I am thinking of running a little ad in our guild newsletter and maybe
> some cards in a few local quilt shops. Basically, I could take anyones idea
> (even hand drawn) and turn it into a professional looking pattern. So, here
> are my questions for you designers out there...
>
> 1. How do you find resources to produce your patterns for sale?
> 2. Do you produce your own work? If so, how?
> 2. Would you find value in a better quality finished product?
> 3. Would you be insulted or bothered if someone contacted you to "fix" your
> pattern?
> 4. Would it be a value to turn over a basic sketch and get back a pattern
> fully enveloped for sale?
>
> You see where I'm going here. It seems like lots of the smaller designers
> are working with hand drawn sketches and color photocopied covers. One
> pattern I saw yesterday was really cute, design wise, but the provided
> pattern was missing so many key elements that the customer had no clue how
> to put the thing together. Never mind the two large mistakes in the provided
> templates. I could potentially provide the step-by-step, cutting
> suggestions, etc. Do you think it would be viable? Any ideas or suggestions?
> Yeah, I know it won't turn me into a hundred-aire, but it would be
> something.
>
> TIA, Lorraine in WA
>
>

> I bought a pattern from Keepsake a couple of months ago. It cost $8 +
> shipping and boy was it a disappointment. The instructions are pretty
> worthless. I felt really ripped off. I just set it aside and lost
> interest. I think you have a great idea here Lorraine. I don't know how
> that kind of thing works but I bet we could all point you to at least
> one pattern/company that we have had this same problem with. Putting a
> professional look to otherwise good designs sounds like a winner to me.
> Taria
>
> TwinMom wrote:

> Taria wrote:
>> I bought a pattern from Keepsake a couple of months ago. It cost $8 +
>> shipping and boy was it a disappointment. The instructions are pretty
>> worthless. I felt really ripped off. I just set it aside and lost
>> interest. I think you have a great idea here Lorraine. I don't know how
>> that kind of thing works but I bet we could all point you to at least
>> one pattern/company that we have had this same problem with. Putting a
>> professional look to otherwise good designs sounds like a winner to me.
>> Taria
>> TwinMom wrote:
> Yes I bought a pattern like this - a Karen Stone one, so very busy design.
> All that was in it was the small colour print on the front of the package,
> a larger layout drawing and the printed kite shaped pieces for the paper
> piecing. No decent instructions at all, and somehow very amateurish.
> It did say that certain blocks had extra pieces in them and gave their
> numbers, but neglected to say anywhere else where these numbers related
> too.
> Fortunately I knew how to paper piece or I'd have been lost - no
> instructions. I enlarged and printed out the colour picture so I could see
> it properly, and numbered the line drawing picture. Then I did my own
> thing with it. Half the blocks are pieced and half are from brown toners.
> There are three blocks which from the picture, look as though they are
> from multicoloured patterned fabric, but I'm not sure. I think I'm using
> batics that go with the pieced blocks for these. However I might piece
> three more,
> I was going to use this for my sweatshirt jacket, but think I like it as a
> quilt better, so will have to re-think the jacket!
> However, I think this will be the last pattern I'll buy, so I agree with
> Taria, the 'industry' does need sorting out, and there is definitely room
> for your business.
> --
> Sally at the Seaside~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk
> http://community.webshots.com/user/sallyswin

( > Y < ) ( > Y < ) and ( > Y < )

: >I need your input here. I've been thinking of starting a

: >side line to augment the family income (which is pretty

: >used to have a quite successful graphic design business

: >have all the software tools, production experience, etc.

: >a quilt teacher have shown me a lot about what different

: >can work with. I've been looking at some of the "home

: >lately and, with no insult intended, I could do a much

: >production, proofing, layout, etc. (Don't worry, I can't

: >beans! LOL) I am thinking of running a little ad in our

: >and maybe some cards in a few local quilt shops.

: >anyones idea (even hand drawn) and turn it into a

: >pattern. So, here are my questions for you designers out

: >
: > 1. How do you find resources to produce your patterns

: > 2. Do you produce your own work? If so, how?
: > 2. Would you find value in a better quality finished

: > 3. Would you be insulted or bothered if someone

: > your pattern?
: > 4. Would it be a value to turn over a basic sketch and

: > fully enveloped for sale?
: >
: > You see where I'm going here. It seems like lots of the

: > are working with hand drawn sketches and color

: > pattern I saw yesterday was really cute, design wise,

: > pattern was missing so many key elements that the

: > to put the thing together. Never mind the two large

: > provided templates. I could potentially provide the

: > suggestions, etc. Do you think it would be viable? Any

: > suggestions? Yeah, I know it won't turn me into a

: > would be something.
: >
: > TIA, Lorraine in WA
: >
: >