Test Samples

People often ask me what is the most important step in developing a new pattern. And I always give the same response. ..It's the testing phase, of course!

It doesn't do me one bit of good to have a beautiful design, with intricate instructions and true to life illustrations, if the only person who can make sense of it all is me. That's where the testers come in.
They all bring something different to the table. They all have varied levels of sewing experience. Some are quilters, some are clothing specialists. Some are young, some are not so young. And after they all make the new design, they all report back (or they call me if they REALLY get stuck) about areas that are unclear, need re-wording or are labelled incorrectly.
Then we set about re-writing & re-wording until the pattern is PERFECT, right? Well no, I wish that were so. Unfortunately there always seems to be a step that turns out to be a little unclear to someone, or a typo that slides under the radar and into the final copy, but this process sure cuts those down to a manageable few.

So here's to my faithful testers, without whom I'd probably be spending the better part of my day on the phone!

And now I'm ready to unveil the Carolina CarryAlls that my testers have made during the course of this project!

Lori Gates of West Henrietta, NY made this beauty. She's been with me since the Boho Baguette.









Judy Graf created this bag and I bet she'll look great carrying it this Spring in and around Tyler, Texas. Judi's been testing for us since the Harmony Handbag.










Even though Peg is still the 'Gadabout Queen', she did a beautiful job on her Carolina CarryAll, as she does on all the bags she makes. Peg has been snowed-in in Westport Island, Maine since sometime in October (it seems), and the PortaPockets Purse Insert was the first pattern she tested for me.




And finally, this lovely breath of spring was created by Thea McCurry of Greensburg, PA. This is Thea's first project for us, and we hope to keep her around for many more to come!

So there you have it. We're getting closer and closer to finishing this girl up. The cover is at the printer's, and I finished the FINAL draft on the instructions today. Right now I'm working on the website and updating the brochures, order forms etc. so the only thing keeping me from declaring a release day is... something that has nothing to do with pattern design... my grandson!!


(Arlene Stream has been faithfully testing for me since the Harmony Handbag, but is in the midst of a move from Loveland, Colorado to somewhere in Iowa, so she hasnt completed her sample yet.)