Thursday 9 October 2014

Seeking pattern testers

Thank you so much for the wonderful response to my request for pattern testers.  Enough people have put up their hands at this stage that I'm not looking for any more.  More patterns are in the works so to anyone who missed out this time, thank you, and there will be another opportunity.

For a long time, I've been thinking about writing up some of the quilt designs I've created as patterns. I've essentially written several patterns already, for my Paper Petals quilt, for my Rubies in the Rough quilt, and for the various classes I've been teaching this year.  I just haven't self-published any of them.

Anyway, this week I came up with a new quilt design, as a way of using my charms from Ms Midge's Bonnie and Camille charm swap.  It's a nice pattern in that it's completely pre-cut compatible (you could use charm packs or layer cake squares, and jelly rolls), it makes use of strip piecing to speed things up, and it only involves squares and rectangles.  I've written the pattern to include five different size options: baby (30" by 43"), cot (43" by 56"), throw (56" by 69"), queen (69" by 82") and king (82" by 95").

I spent a while trying to find excuses not to publish it, and then I decided to put my big girl knickers on and go for it.  Now, I'm wondering whether anyone would be willing to volunteer to test this pattern for me.  I'm looking for testers who:

- can make a finished quilt top, and send me clear, well-lit photos, by my proposed pattern release date of 27 October (New Zealand time, so that probably means 26 October elsewhere);

- have made a couple of quilts before - the pattern is super simple but it's not written as a complete guide to making a quilt.  I've given cutting instructions (of course) but have assumed the reader knows how to straighten the edge of fabric, sew a quarter inch seam, etc; and

- can give me feedback on the pattern - whether the instructions and diagrams are clear, whether my quilt math seems to work, whether there's anything they wish I had included, etc.

Ideally I'd love to have testers make the whole range of sizes, but I realise my deadline is totally ridiculous!  If you're keen, please send me an email at adrianneonthewindyside at gmail dot com with the size you'd like to try, and if possible, a link to your blog / flickr page / other social media presence.

Testers will receive a copy of the final pdf pattern and their photos published on my blog, with a link back to their blog / flickr stream / other website.  I would be grateful if testers could keep the pattern private until it is officially released, but sneak peeks are definitely permitted!

I'm making the throw sized version myself, and I'm excited to see how it turns out!

Thank you so much for the wonderful response to my request for pattern testers.  Enough people have put up their hands at this stage that I'm not looking for any more.  More patterns are in the works so to anyone who missed out this time, thank you, and there will be another opportunity.

17 comments:

Robyn said...

I would be all over this if the deadline were later, just too much happening this month! Good luck!

One Wee Bird said...

I will do the baby one for you if you like Adrianne

Michelle said...

I'm a beginner so happy to be your guinea pig for beginners timandmichelle@iprimus.com.au

Teresa @ Aurea's Kitchen said...

I would love to test for you but right now it is impossible. I am almost 6 month pregnant and I just want to sleep all day. I am sure the pattern and the quilt would be awesome. Congratulations

One Wee Bird said...

And the cot size if no one else desperately wants that size LOL
www.oneweebird.blogspot.com

leanne said...

this sounds so great Adrianne - sending an email now ! I'd be interested in the throw size !

Susan said...

Sadly the timing for me is all wrong! I feel I want to say 'yes' but with one son coming home from England after a six month absence on the 18th and the other getting married on the 24th, I'd need my head read! I will look forward to the full reveal from afar, I'm afraid Adrianne!

Ann said...

Can't test for you but that paper petals quilt is GORGEOUS! Look forward to buying the pattern when it's available

Debora Exum said...

I would be happy to help. I would like to make whatever the smallest unclaimed size is and would be making it from stash so it would be scrappy. I am trying to grow my little blog and have written a few patterns myself so helping you would help me too.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

I wish I had the time!! Well done for taking the step to publish them and maybe I could test the next one? :)

Shelley Folkerts said...

I would be interested in testing your new quilt pattern. I should be able to work within your needed deadline. I could possibly make the queen size one for you. I blog at The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts.com

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl said...

Good luck with the pattern testing, Adrianne, and while I cannot make this deadline, maybe I can help out next time around. :)

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts said...

Sounds super fun! I'd love to make one for you - cot size perhaps?

The sizes you have for queen and king are very small compared to what I make for those sizes of beds. I'm wondering if the beds in AU have different sizes?

I blog at www.busyhandsquilts.blogspot.com for reference.

Thank you!
Myra~

Anne said...

Oh, that's exciting! I wish I had time to help but sadly do not. :( Can't wait to see the release, though! :D

Anonymous said...

I think this would be a fun challenge. I have a week of holidays next week so I guess the timing is good for me. I like the idea of the throw size because it could be used on a twin bed and then I could donate the fnished quilt to http://littlewarriors.ca/events/quilts-for-the-be-brave-ranch/ a camp for sexually abused kids. But I'm flexible. I blog at www.lifeinthedoghouse.com

Heather said...

Can't wait to see your pattern - I have an April Showers Layer Cake and 2 Happy Go Lucky Charm packs sitting here waiting for me to decide on a pattern.

Unknown said...

I can't wait to see your patterns get released! Congratulations. Wish I could pattern test for you but the to-do list at the moment is insane - but keep me in mind for anything in the future (that's of course if you'd like to - no pressure!). Hope you're having a great day!