Anatomy of a PDF SEWING PATTERN

Doesn't it look so easy. Create a pattern, make it a PDF and sell it. Well let me tell you, the process is very very lengthy. First I come up with a unique design. I test it myself by using the item and having friends use it. I get feedback from them. The next step is how popular will this pattern be. I rely on my online community to get feedback in this area. Between my ETSY http://www.aggieray.etsy.com/ shop and my FLICKR www.flickr.com/photos/aggieray and FACEBOOK postings what kind of feedback are you getting on this new creation. I usually get questions on FLICKR where did you get this pattern? Are you selling it? and when will it be available?

The next step is to make the item, take a picture of every step of the process and decribe what you are doing and how to do it in simple terms. This takes me about 2 months to make sure I have a perfect pattern from creating the actual pattern, making the pattern pieces, testing the pattern and remaking it again to make sure the pattern pieces are acturate. The final step is to convert it to PDF format and making a good presentation page to get you interested in the pattern. It's a relief when they start selling and you get some positive feedback. I am working on my 5th pattern now.... it's going to be 3 patterns in one PDF. .... here is a sneek peak

Mara Bag Pattern Now Available

After selling this bag for quite awhile and having many requests for the pattern, I finally was able to create a beautiful pattern and now am selling it with the right for the purchaser to sell the completed handbag in their shop or craft show. The pattern comes with two different style handles to design for the bag. I have had many compliments on this bag and hope you will too!

View an Etsy Front Page Treasury List - The Vault on Craft Cult

View an Etsy Front Page Treasury List - The Vault on Craft Cult

First Craft Fair preparation!

About three weeks of work/part-time: Handbags, cut, pinned, sewn, ready to assemble... just need to finish lining, pockets and zipper and snap closures... it can be overwhelming if you think of it...

Completed Ziplets and a few handbags>>>>>>>>>

My husband's
display>>>>>
just needs

corner

molding

and a little

paint>>>>>>

Okay this is my first craft fair. I have no idea what to expect...

Location and time: Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island: July 3rd, 2010... 11 to 5

http://www.indiebythesea.com/

My husband built me a lovely display in addition to the craft table that I will have... At first I thought I would just have a triangular peg board display that I would place on the table... So off to Home Depot to buy a piece of peg board. A 4 x 8' piece is $14.00. With scrap wood around the house and three wheels, this beautiful display was born.. My husband is adding molding to the corners and in addition, there is room to put items on the top too! He has not finished it yet... HE WANTS EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT lol..., he has to finish the molding and he will paint the top molding white match the pegboard. A few hooks here and there and I am ready to go. It's a great space saver too.. if you only have a small area to display your items... I have just about 4 weeks to go... I am pacing myself...

I made 60 Ziplets (pattern and fabrics available in both my shops http://www.aggieray.etsy.com/ and http://www.fabricplace.etsy.com/) already and about 20 handbags..... As sewers know... you have to do everything in stages... 1 day I spend a few hours cutting the fabric and interfacing. ....if I have time... I pin everything... then walk away..... you get too tired to do anything else at this point....The Ziplets took about a week and half to make.... (remember, I have a full time job too)... Weekend cutting and night sewing.... I had this week off for vacation and thought I would get a lot done... not the case... life gets in the way sometime...... I probably will be able to make about 10 handbags this week... in between friends and family asking for summer orders....and a few curtain jobs too! Where does the time go...

FINISHED HEADBOARD go to first post to follow directions titled HOW TO MAKE upolstered covered headboard

I apologize for the reverse order of these instructions. SCROLL DOWN TO THE FIRST ENTRY... HOW TO MAKE A COVERED HEADBOARD AND GO BACKWARDS...

Here is the completed headboard. I did add a nice RIBBON on the inside edge between the polka dot and the turquoise fabric. I will post a picture when I have one from the completed bedroom design...

Enjoy

Another View. You can see how I folded the right edge and tucked it under. This gave the corner a nice mitered edge. Continue this technique around the entire headboard.

Depending where you place the headboard, you may want to cover the back with a matching piece of fabric. Since this one was placed against a wall, I did not have to worry about that...

Position Fabric and Upholstery Strip

Now place the outside contrast fabric face down and the edge of the fabric next to the noodle edge as shown in the previous picture. Place the upholstery cardboard strip on top of the contrast fabric. Staple through the cardboard. The next steps is almost like wrapping a package. Flip the contrast fabric towards the outside edge of your headboard. Neatly fold, tuck and staple the contrast fabric to the underside of the headboard...