Sew Pro: A Year Later
Last year about this time, hundreds of quilters descended upon Chicago for the Sew Pro Convention. The convention was unique because it was about being a professional in the sewing industry. You can read my initial recap here.
So what have I done with all I learned in the past year?
- I have a logo and a brand: Powered by Quilting
- I'm officially registered as a small business through the Minnesota State Department.
- I have 3 patterns for sale on Etsy, Craftsy, and Payhip! (most recent, Circular Illusion, has introductory pricing until the end of the month).
- I have participated in several blog hops (See the buttons on the right side bar on PC or at the end of the page on mobile). The most recent is Making Connections Blog Hop - giveaway ends at the end of today!
- I am a designer for the I Wish You A Merry QAL (my block was released this past Tuesday).
- Last but not least, I've made lots of quilting friends!
Without Sew Pro, I would not have gotten the inspiration and the motivation to really push for publishing patterns and creating a brand for myself. I have a long way to go, but I definitely feel like I'm off to a good start!
What are my future plans?
- I have 2 more patterns in the works to release by the end of this year (fingers crossed!)
- I will be transitioning into making paper patterns in addition to the PDF offering.
- I want to create my own QAL - I have an idea for the spring, but I am starting to doubt my ability to finish it myself prior to the end of the year. So this may be postponed until the following year.
- I will be attending Spring Quilt Market in Portland.
- I want to create more tutorials for the quilting community.
Questions for my awesome readers:
- Paper versus PDF Patterns - what is your preference and why?
- What tips or techniques do you have trouble with and would love to see a tutorial for?
- Hosting or participating in a spring/summer QAL, would you be interested?
Thank you to everyone I've met along the way and all my readers. I definitely could not have done it without everyone. I am always blown away with how amazing and supportive the quilting community is! Sending you all lots of love!!!
Now that I'm back home for at least a little bit, I can get back to creating!
9/15-9/22 Weekly Goal:
Available time for quilting:
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday PM
Projects I want to work on:
PBQ104
PBQ105
PBQ106
Long Time Gone BOM
Goals for the Projects:
PBQ104: Finish writing pattern for testers
PBQ105: Cut fabric for sample and begin sewing! (I got some sample spree of Voyage by Kate Spain! I can't wait till this is done!)
PBQ106: Use as my ender/leader for my other sewing.
Long Time Gone BOM: Finish Month 3 blocks!
I love the advantage of buying a PDF and having an instant download when I’m looking for something in particular but I always print them so I have a paper pattern to study and follow (so either way works for me). That being said, I have bought many more paper patterns than pdf’s because I like to browse them at my LQS and that’s where I purchase most of mine.
My most recent tutorial search was on paper piecing so I would love to see a tutorial on that. I’m getting ready to start a paper pieced Christmas tree skirt and I haven’t done paper piecing in about 8 years so I need a refresher course lol!
How does a QAL work? Is it like a block of the month (or week)? I would definitely be interested!
That’s great feedback! I tend to do exactly what you do with patterns!
I did a paper piecing tutorial a few months ago. Here’s the link: https://poweredbyquilting.com/2017/03/28/paper-piecing-tutorial/
Let me know if there is anything you’d want me to change, clarify, or add! 🙂
As for the spring/summer QAL… details have yet to be ironed out! I’m still working on the design part. I think I would try to do a block every other week or something like that.
Thank you for the link! I’ll check it out…
I do like the convenience of PDF patterns, but I admit that if something is available in print version, I’ll buy that one. Layering/basting is the part of quilting I hate the most, so I guess tutorials or different techniques would be interesting tutorials to me. I personally pick quilt alongs based on how much I like the finished quilt and how busy I am when it starts–is it a moment when adding another project feels overwhelming. You are never going to get the right moment for everyone, so go with what works for you. I will say that if a design is seasonal, I like the quilt along to end with *plenty* of time to finish the quilt before that season arrives so that I have a hope of having a finished product during the right time, otherwise it feels like I have to wait a year to use it and my motivation goes out the window. For example, I am loving the wish you a merry quilt-along, but not releasing the last bock until 20 days before Christmas is cutting it too close for me. It’s unlikely I would be able to assemble the blocks into a finished top and quilt and bind to have on display for Christmas. I would want to have completed the entire thing by December 5th, so it can decorate for the season. So that’s my 2 cents on QAL planning.
Thanks so much for your feedback! That is really valuable for me 🙂 It’s always nice to have other’s point of view for a gut check! Hope you are having a great weekend!
-Sherry