My 1st Pattern

Take a deep breath......okay......I'm starting to feel the pressure lift from my shoulders. Dalen's book Just A Quilt? was supposed to be his baby and I was just to cheer him on from the sidelines. I was happy with that arrangement. But.....I have been brought right into the middle of this "baby" big time. Whenever Dalen has been invited to speak or do a book signing, the question always comes up, "Is there a pattern for Chase's quilt in the book? Have you thought of doing a pattern & a kit to go along with the book?" My answer was always, "No." It's kind of like how many times do you have to be asked to do something before you realize people are serious? (Somehow I keep seeing these visions of hearing myself asking my kids to do something for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th....umpteenth time. It's kind of funny to think that here I am having the same response I have received from them over the years.) There is a genuine interest here and you might want to think about developing these ideas.

So....I took the hint and bought fabrics at Mare's Bears in Lewes, DE, when Dalen was there for a book signing and decided to give it a try. I started sketching designs on the way home. FYI, I don't usually read or write in the car while traveling. The 2 hour trip went very fast because I was trying to get down the ideas flying through my head.

When I got home & into my sewing room, I started working on the quilt top and sat with my computer by my side & tried to write down each step as I did it. I wanted to be sure I covered all the steps and that someone choosing my pattern for their first quilt would be able to follow the instructions, not get discouraged & would emerge from the experience with a quilt they would be proud of & that they would want to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of quilting. I want to leave new quilters wherever I go. It has always been my firm belief that if you are frustrated with the sewing, the instructions, the process of the project or your equipment then this will probably only be a one-shot deal & you may not even finish the project. I want to turn people on to quilting - not off.

I gave Dalen my instructions & told him that it was a beginning, but there were several aspects of the pattern that I was not happy with because I felt they were confusing. He took my attempt & he did some great editing & I loved what he came up with. All of a sudden, I caught the excitement & I realized that I was happy to have "given birth" to this pattern. I printed off a couple of copies to show to friends & see what they thought. Dalen took the file today & brought home 10 copies. It looks so official! I can't believe it. I showed it to Tif & she gave me good critique of how to improve a few areas. I value all input here because I feel I am in such unchartered territory for me.

Today the ladies I had breakfast with from the Bible Study I attend were excited, encouraging, wanted to purchase it, want me to teach them how to make the quilt in a class, want to purchase kits to make the quilt, want to know where to buy Dalen's book, etc. I am humbled by the response I received! Thank you to all of you wonderful ladies for being such an encouragement to me. You are wonderful friends to me. Help me to be a better person.

Now I have to start on the next pattern. It will be printed panels of the artwork in the book incorporated into a different pattern. I already have it sketched out.

Even if the pattern is only embraced by a small number of quilters, I'm thankful for the experience of being encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and try my hand at writing a quilting pattern. It's out there now. May God use this to His glory!