I’ve had a few questions recently about how I write up quilt patterns and which programs I use.  Although I don’t consider myself a quilt designer (yet), I do have the tools to get the job done.  I have to be honest.  I’d LOVE to design and sell quilt patterns.  I have several ideas rolling around in my head, and I even have a few samples made, but actually writing them up and selling the patterns is another story.  So far, I’ve spent time playing around with my programs, designed a few things for myself, and tried my hand at writing a few sample ideas.  Baby steps, I guess.

About a year (or maybe 2 years) ago, I purchased the Electric Quilt 7 program.

I had a few gift cards saved up and I had been researching different quilt design programs.  This one had fairly good reviews and seemed like something I would enjoy.  My main goal in purchasing this was to be able to design patterns that I like, have a program to help determine measurements and cutting instructions, and to be able to have the ability to play around with shapes and colors without actually cutting into my fabric.  Electric Quilt 7 did just those things. 

Here are some examples of the “finished look” that I’ve come up with.

And here’s what I’ve turned them into.

This program is great because after I design something, I can tell it to print my templates or rotary cutting guides.  Here’s what they look like.

pincushion 3 directions

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It doesn’t write out step by step directions for you.  So, you kind of have to know what you are doing when it comes to quilting.  This is about as far as I’ve taken this dream of selling quilt patterns.  My next step is to start writing up directions for my projects.  I’ve been having fun practicing with this step.  It’s harder than it seems!  We spend a lot of time writing How To books in kindergarten and first grade and it’s always a bit challenging for the kids.  They are always forgetting steps, glossing over certain parts very quickly, or not thinking about what their readers already know or need to know.  Well, guess what?  The same thing happens when you are writing for adults!

My goal for the month of January is to finish putting together my pattern for the Chevron Floor Pillow and assemble some fabric kits to go along with it.  Several of my friends and neighbors have asked me to do a “sewing camp” for adults and I thought this would make a great project.  If I can get my act together and write the pattern, maybe I’ll be able to host a sewing camp in February!  We’ll see.

I hope that answered the questions I’ve been getting about how I design and write patterns.  I’m certainly not an expert in this area, but I’ve been having fun playing around with the process.  I have really enjoyed using the Electric Quilt 7 program.  I took some time to learn.  I watched many videos, read through several tutorials, looked up problems on YouTube, and still have to relearn every time I open it up.  I kind of reminds me of Photoshop.  It took me a very long time to learn Photoshop.  I’m still no where near mastery, but I use it all the time and it’s starting to feel very comfortable.  That’s exactly the way I feel about EQ7.

Happy quilt designing!