More of: The Design Process

I took the 'Process Pledge' so here goes another post

 to let you in on how I work at developing 

my patterns for you all out there.

Last night I couldn't sleep and so at about 11 p.m.

I got up, headed into my sewing studio

and was determined to get this first block of my 

new and upcoming Block of the Month 

figured out.

I have never developed a pattern with hand embroidery

so its a 'touch and go' process with me.

I like the looks of this block

but there are a few problems with it.

#1...the strawberries need to be bigger and more defined.

And the basket needs to be more balanced out...and bigger.

In the original drawing they both looked alright

but once done with fabric and thread, there needed

to be some adjustment.

 (I took these pictures well after midnight...so please excuse the photography!)

So back to the drafting table...

I also felt this block needed to be bigger...

 I start commissioning fabrics and come up with these below.

I needed something a little bit more solid for the basket 

so the embroidery work will show up.

 I make my templates with freezer paper...

iron them on to the backside of my fabrics...

 Pin them to the background...

Take the piece to the light box so I can start drawing

the embroidery work in...

And all the while... I am making a "Key"

for the 'Guitar Man'

who will be making up the kits for you guys...

or if he's lucky...

will be instructing one of the employees

how to do it...

And I wake up this morning...

and almost convince myself...

that the block is too big!

I still need to add small prairie points to the outside of the block.

So it still needs to be readjusted.

And this is why I said in a previous post...

if you all out there knew the hours and painstaking   

details us designers put into our work.....FOR YOU...

I just know....I am convinced...you would never copy off patterns for one of your friends.

I never knew how important 'copyright' was until I started designing

and saw all the work that goes into even one pattern.

This pattern above....is only "ONE" block!

And its not even close to being done.

So thanks to all of you

for your respect...

for your patronage...

and most of all...

for the encouragement you give to us designers!

Quilting Hugs,

John'aLee