Finally! Summer (for me)!

I turned my grades in and have begun my summer! What this means is that I work from home (at my convenience) and have time to sew and work on my house. Yesterday I started scraping old paint and carpet glue off the cement on my screened in porch. My back is killing me, and I only got about 5 sq. ft removed, but it's better than it was on Saturday. Today I mow the lawn and write a few letters of recommendation. And recuperate from grading and celebrating the graduation of my students.

My roles at work (Mansfield University of PA) have really evolved - and will be my priority this summer. I'll still be sewing and trying to get patterns published, but my main goal is to actively recruit more students to study communication at Mansfield University. We might be a small university, but what my colleagues and I offer is a lot of individual attention...and a lot of tough love! I run my department's social media platforms  - Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram - and work with the university's social media team. It's fun and I get to be creative.

So here's a little taste of my life at work (that's me in the green jacket...wrapped up in a scarf...yes, it gets cold in northern PA!):

I won't stop blogging -  because I love to share what I'm doing - but I won't be able to keep up with it like I have in the past. I do have several projects that I've been working on...since last summer! Yikes! They all involve a zipper technique that I developed (I think?!)!

In the meantime, though, it's time to get mowing!

Finding My Way

In the mid-90s, when I rediscovered sewing, there was no Pinterest; heck, we barely had internet. A few years later, when I really got into sewing, I was online, but there wasn't the volume of content like there is now; and it wasn't easy to find. As a result, I saved and printed A LOT of sewing patterns, tutorials, and tips. I've learned a lot over the past 15 years; the problem is that my collection of online crap is consuming my sewing room. I am generation paper. Yes, I like paper. Or at least I did. Then Pinterest came along...and Evernote...then my iPad. I've gone digital. But I still have piles of patterns scattered around my house. Most have homes in mislabeled file folders.

Yesterday, I began my purge. Whenever I travel longer distances (like my almost 6 hour drive to see my family at Christmas), I get a weirdly preoccupied with car accidents. I began to think about what would happen if I was in one and my family had to go to my house to find things. It's ridiculous and irrational because compared to most people, I'm about an eight out of ten on the organizational scale. Nonetheless, my mind wanders; as I drive, I get the trash bug. Then I turn into my mother...who rarely saved anything. We're both Virgos.

On New Year's Day, I began. I tore through two file cabinets - I started with more financial stuff like car insurance forms...that dated back to 2008. Then I moved on to work-related files like my teaching evaluations... (this is embarrassing) from 1995. BTW, I was an awesome teacher back then! Next came the decorating magazines. Sure, stenciling is cool again, but I'm thinking that sponge painting will never make a comeback. I probably tossed 30 magazines. My recycling guys are going to hate me. Then I moved on to the Buns of Steel VHS tapes, then some college stuff (I'm 50, so that should give you an idea of what I found). It was mildly entertaining. I dug out my Central Michigan student ID from 1984, then my Penn State ID from 1986. I found wedding invitations for lots of friends including one who divorced that guy, married another guy, divorced him, and is now with another guy. I did learn some important things while doing this. Specifically, my cats are 11 years old, not 12 like I thought.

When I got done and the dust settled, I had emptied two storage containers and two small file cabinets. My friend decided that she wanted to repurpose the file cabinets, so those were out the door later in the afternoon.

I saved the most difficult for last....sewing-related items. I did a lot of self-talk. I did a lot of thinking. I convinced myself that everything I needed was online. I pin A LOT; it all can be found on Pinterest.

I began slowly. I found myself putting more and more printed patterns into the recycling bin. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Why? The patterns were awful. Some were poorly designed while others lacked any sense of detail. Some didn't even have pictures! Blasphemy! Plus, in the grand scheme of things, I'm a fairly talented sewer - if I need something, I can figure it out on my own or do a quick search online. I think my break-through moment was when I realized that I've turned into the sewer that I'm supposed to be. I've tried a lot; I know what I like. And that means that I don't need clothing patterns. I don't need basic tote bag patterns. I don't need stuff for kids. I like funky quilts not traditional ones. And…I sew practical things. I design my own patterns because I need something to function. After my self-analysis, I asked myself one simple question, "Will I ever make this?" The answer, in most cases, was "no."

I'm done for now; I feel a lot more settled. My back is sore, but it was worth it. And it's now easier to find what I really need and what's really important! YAY! Time to get to work designing my next pattern!

Converting Websites to PDF

I was reading one of my teaching blogs (I have no idea which one!) the other day and came across a post on converting websites to PDFs. My web browser is Firefox - so I tested out one of the add-ons called "Print Pages to PDF." It worked!

This is a great resource for saving patterns that are posted on blogs. So if you have a few patterns you like, you can convert the webpage into a PDF. Here's how I did it in Mozilla Firefox.

 1. Search "print pages to PDF" and you'll see "Print pages to PDF: Add-ons to Firefox..."

Click on that.

2. This will come up. Click on the green "Add to Firefox" bottom to add this.

3. Right click on the blog page and a pop-up will appear. Click on "Print pages to PDF" then "Print active Tab." 

The webpage will be converted into a PDF!

One thing to note...please respect the blogger who posted the pattern! 









UPDATE: A reader posted the following website that also converts to PDF:
http://kitpdf.com/web_to_pdf/

Pattern Making

Project Notes for Alysa's Awesome Apron

When I first started teaching sewing, I struggled to find patterns that were well-written and that captured what I wanted my sewing friends to learn. After some feedback and requests, I started writing and designing my own patterns. I've always loved technical writing and design, so it was a natural fit for me.

A lot goes into designing a project then writing up patterns - probably more than what you think. I get really frustrated when I hear people (NOT those who I sew with) talk about photocopying patterns - because they thought they cost too much or because they simply didn't want to pay for it. Every pattern that is copied is money taken away from someone who has dedicated a considerable amount of time and energy to help all of us make wonderful things. And it is stealing; and it hurts the exact people we should be supporting.

So the next time you are tempted to copy a pattern, think about what goes into making it. Here is my process for making a pattern:

My first go-around.

1. Project Idea: First I have to come up with a project; my goal is to find something that hasn't been done before or wasn't done how I would do it. I pride myself on finding and/or creating techniques that make the process a whole lot easier. So this stage involves a lot of thinking and brainstorming with my sewing sisters. They have some awesome ideas! 

2. Test the Idea: The next thing I do is make the project. While I do this, I take careful notes and snap some detailed pictures. I've made A LOT of things, so my sewing experience comes into play here. I also sketch things out - I'm no artist, but it gives me a tangible view of what's in my head. All the time I'm doing this, I'm talking (sometimes out loud) through the process. Being able to articulate in simple terms is key. If I can't say what I mean, no one will understand it. This has gotten a lot easier - because of my full-time job (college professor), I spend a lot of time writing and speaking. I've also gotten really good at taking foggy ideas and clarifying them (that comes with practice - I listen to about 200 speeches a year, so part of my job is to help my students communicate their ideas). It also helps that I love words. I dig for some gems on thesaurus.com.  

3. Write the Pattern: Depending on the complexity of the project, writing the pattern can take a few hours to a day or so. I use MS Publisher to create my patterns - I love Publisher and have been using it since the mid-1990s. This is where my sketches come into play - I have to take what's on paper and in my head and translate it to a computer screen; Publisher isn't really designed for this but I've found ways to make it work. I love the challenge! Once the pattern is done, I print it and do a quick review. Then I put it on my Project Board; the next day, I get it out and read it. I change what doesn't make sense.  

4. Making the Final Sample: Once I have the test project done and the pattern written, I make a final sample using my pattern. I follow it exactly. All the time I'm doing this, I try to put myself in the shoes of a novice. I hear my sewing sisters asking questions, think about problems they've had in the past, and examine anything that could be confusing. 

5. Take Pictures: At this point,  I take pictures of the final product. This is my weak point. I'm no photographer! Plus I'm usually alone and deep-in-thought, so I'm the photographer-model. Not easy.

6. Make Final Changes: Once I feel confident in the pattern, I print a final copy. 

7. Hold a Pattern Sample Class: At this point I post pictures on the Sew You Can Facebook page. My goal is to get some of my sewing students interested in taking a class. The test class is usually four to six of my regulars - I trust that they'll be open and honest with me. And they are really great at asking questions and following the pattern. I take their feedback and make any final changes.

8. Finalize Pattern and Post It: I make any changes to the pattern then post it online.

When I price a pattern, I think about the work I've put into it and the complexity of the pattern. I try to make what I've done affordable while rewarding myself for all that time and energy. And even after I'm done with the class/pattern, I still seek feedback and make changes. My biggest thrill is when my sewing sisters make the project at home and have no problems following my pattern!


This eight-step process usually takes a few weeks to a month. So when you see a pattern and the price, remember how time-consuming it is and the skill involved! 


Check out other patterns by indie designers along with my patterns in my Craftsy Pattern Store!

Quilts of Valor Fundraiser

I'm spending the day getting ready for our Southern Tier Quilts of Valor fundraiser. We'll be showing Stitched at the Palace Theatre in Corning, NY. To get a ticket, attendees must donate a 12" quilt block. We've worked with the local quilt shops and are putting the finishing touches on our raffle baskets.

Here are the donated blocks! We have about 120 and will have several more turned in at the screening. At the end of the table are the raffle baskets. Although our primary goal was to bring about awareness of the organization, we also wanted to get blocks to make quilts and to sell raffle tickets to make money to buy more fabric. I think we've succeeded.

This wonderful basket was donated by a little shop called Needles; it's located in Wellsboro, PA. It's about 45 miles south of Corning! How's that for wonderful support? They hope to start a QoV there in the next year.

Here's another collection of goodies. We had nine shops donate items to be raffled off. I'll be running to the Salvation Army tomorrow to get baskets to put these items in.

I'm eyeing the Deploy That Fabric book! Underneath is some fabric, including some pieces of my niece's ACU! She's on her second tour of duty (this time in Afghanistan). The book has some really cute bags that can be made from old uniforms. BTW, she's a quilter! YAY!

My donated items are in the back - the black, white, and red zippered pouches and the purse. I also scored an autographed copy of Paula Broadwell's book, All In: The Education of General David Petraeus. Paula is big supporter of the troops (and a West Point grad).

It's really exciting to see this fundraiser come together with the support of a wonderful sewing and quilting community! I really encourage you to take a chance and try something like this. It only took three of and a little bit of legwork. The quilt shops just ran with it! Awesome!