Quilting is sew much more fun when a Quilt pattern is well written. In fact when it IS well written I tend to take it for granted…I breeze along whistling a happy tune as I create my masterpiece!
This did not happen yesterday. I was definitely NOT whistling any happy tunes…I had decided to make this little wall hanging called ‘School House Pillow’.
It was like the designer had assumed that I should know how to make these finicky little houses…which would kind of defeats the purpose of buying her pattern! The instructions said use freezer paper for the template. Nothing about seam allowance or how it goes together. I bet I read and re-read the pattern 20 times…which didn’t take long because it was just one VERY short paragraph.
Finally I tossed the pattern and did what I thought you should do…and low and behold I created the house…and it is cute and I am happy with it. BUT that’s not the point. The point is I could have whipped this little house up in a fraction of the time that it took me to figure out what to do. I had to reinvent the wheel. So PLEASE if there are any designers out there reading this…TREAT ME LIKE A MORON…when you are writing out the instructions don’t leave any steps out…treat me like I know NOTHING…put in ALL the instruction in detail..I won’t be insulted…and in return I will try not to take your wonderful instructions for granted!!
I do love this little school house! They finish out at 4 1/2” so they are very small…I want to make nine of them and frame them like this…bottom left…
I saw this little framed quilt at the Calico Horse in Redlands but they didn’t have the pattern. Isn’t it sweet?!
So now that I know what I’m doing…I will be cranking out a few more of these sweet little school houses!
Have a Super Sunday and Happy Quilting!~P
I know exactly what you are talking about Paulette--I want to be treated like a moron when it comes to patterns. The pattern I used to make Ellie's queen size Evening Star quilt was so poorly written--did not tell you how many of each block to make or what the finished size of the blocks should be--a pain--it took me much longer to make that quilt than it should have!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry and I have had that trouble before too. People who create patterns should make one after the printing to see if it is right.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paulette for visiting my blog and have a good day!
I completely agree, Paulette.
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I was chatting a pair of local designers about their patterns and I asked some basic questions about their instructions and such. When I asked why there weren't better explanations the response was "we're not writing this pattern to teach you how to sew" I was stunned - seriously stunned.
My mantra will be 'treat me like a moron' :-)
Oops - adorable house. That's going to be a cute project.
ReplyDeleteSorry you had so much trouble with the pattern! But your little house is adorable! I'd love to make some of those one of these days! :0)
ReplyDeleteThis is something that I am constantly worried about. Patterns are not cheap and how do you know until you buy them if they are good or bad. Designers should write the pattern as if everyone was a beginner. If I had bought that pattern I would not have had your experience to make the houses. Maybe you should start writing patterns!!! Hugs Linda
ReplyDeleteI agree. I've came across some pretty awful patterns and it irks me they can charge so much and not give us basic instructions.
ReplyDeleteYour block turned out really cute!
I love the school house as well...turned out wonderfully, sorry you had trouble.
ReplyDeleteBetter yet, we get to pay big bucks for patterns that we toss. The band wagon is rolling we want better instructions for our buck!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, I want the patterns, and the instructions to be step by step with basics written clearly. I really don't like long winded tutorials, I just want to know, what to cut, how much, sizes etc.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Agree completely Paulette! After all of that I'm glad your school houses turned out SO cute!
ReplyDeleteOh, I want those framed houses! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteOf course we should expect every pattern to have clear step by step instructions - otherwise what are we paying for? Your house block is lovely and makes me want to make one!
ReplyDeletehere! here! or is it hear! hear! or see! see! say it loud and say it proud for all of us. Love the little house and would love to make it!!!! happy Sunday
ReplyDeleteYour little house turne out very well, cute as a button.. I'm with the majority..if I could make a quilt without instructions and detailed - details I wouldn't have to spend money to buy the book, magazine, or pattern.. So there!
ReplyDeleteOh, I feel your pain!
ReplyDeleteJust last night I was looking a pattern for a diamond quilt and no where is there a template for the diamond, or even dimensions listed. It just says to cut your diamond shapes. Oh, the joy! $9 for the pattern down the drain!
I also hate patterns that are ALL words and no diagrams or photos. I'm very visual. I need to see what I am making!
Twice now I've cut out all the fabric for a quilt and when I went to assemble the blocks, the discovered the measurements were wrong and there was no way to put the block together.
So, yes, please, Pattern Designers, treat me like a MORON when you write patterns, and double check your measurements!
I agree, the pattern and the instructions are there to show us how to make it in the best possible way, and it is the pattern writer's duty to provide such instructions. That is what we pay for.
ReplyDeleteI can't say 'Amen' enough to your post. So many designer just whip out pattern after pattern and don't take the time to fine tune them. It leaves quilters frustrated and hurts our industry in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhen I create a pattern I make it twice myself, try to run a class on it so I know 'you' the customer understands 'my' wording...and from there send it to a professional to do any more fine tuning that she can.
You go girl!!
I must agree with you on that, even sometimes when you do a BOM they think you are experts?? But I too love the house block..I also like it framed?? Really nice...
ReplyDeleteDon't be so hard on yourself, I think you did a marvy job..
Hugs,
Maggey(one of the Moron Club Members) lol
It seems like we've all had this problem from time to time and it IS extremely annoying. I think you did a wonderful job on your own. If you prefer a slightly larger house block - 5 inches - then check out Little Quilts' booklet My House. It has a few different houses, but one pattern, entitled Friendship House, is the same as yours and the instructions are very clear.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same. It makes me so mad when someone says they are going to give you a pattern or a tutorial and really they just showed you a photo.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am glad that you blogged about it. I don't think there is a thing wrong with positive AND negative feedback!
Oh i know exactly what you mean, i tend not to buy patterns from that designer again...dzintra
ReplyDeleteA pattern by its very nature should be written for people who know nothing - too often that's not the case. I love the block though. :) blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteI agree with every word Paulette..good on you for bringing this up..
ReplyDeleteCute house , see and you didn't even need her so called pattern
Amen! I couldn't agree more. I love patterns that explain every little detail. Sorry you had to go through that. But I LOVE the little school house blocks. Really really love it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame when pattern designers feel like it's too much work to put in the basics - or have their pattern tested by someone who's never made the block before. Such a simple step that could reveal deficiencies in the pattern writing..... Call 'em to task, Paulette!!
ReplyDeleteLove your wee blue and white house, it's so cute!! I don't buy too many individual patterns but if I did, I'd expect to be able to make the project pictured on the front by following the enclosed instructions! I think that's a pretty fair expectation!
ReplyDeleteVery nice post, I agree, nothing irks a person more to pay $8-10 for soemthing that doesn't really explain much at all.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! My sister and I made a quilt together a few weeks ago and the pattern directions were terrible!!! They were extremely confusing and left out some important parts. I couldn't believe that it was allowed to be published this way.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree, when it comes to patterns, please treat us like morons! HA!
Thanks for that post. As someone who writes patterns, I do sometimes wonder if people think I'm treating them like idiots when I go right back to basics, so it's reassuring to read what you have to say.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely Paulette! I want instructions, pictures, anything you can put in there to help me make it! Why pay for a pattern otherwise....
ReplyDeleteI think your framed houses will look adorable.
since I am a moron and you are not anymore...make me one!
ReplyDelete