Category: Patterns

Calling all Pattern Designers

I have some exciting news to share about Keep It Thimble….

Calling all pattern designers! I’m super excited to announce that I am launching a pattern bundle site that sells time-limited collections of .PDF patterns, in the manner of Humble Bundle and similar sites. I’m looking for contributors — independent pattern designers and small publishers who want to reach a new audience for their sewing, quilting, appliqué, knitting, crochet, and cosplay patterns.

I’m partnering with the Bundle of Holding (www.bundleofholding.com), a long-established site that sells tabletop roleplaying game ebooks. Since 2013 the Bundle of Holding has presented more than 400 offers comprising 3,000+ titles from over 235 small RPG publishers; 60,000 gamers have purchased 300,000 bundles. The site has raised more than US$645,000 for dozens of charities.

Like the Bundle of Holding, each offer on my pattern site presents a curated collection of DRM-free .PDFs. The customer pays a set minimum price to get the “starter” pattern bundle and can opt to pay more that the current threshold (average) price to receive an additional collection of “bonus” patterns. A typical offer runs for three weeks.

If you would like more information about participating in this, please email me at keepitthimble at gmail dot com.

Keep it thimble!

Pattern Sale – Radiant Folded Patchwork Star

Happy May Day!  To celebrate, the Radiant Folded Patchwork Star and covered box pattern is on sale for $2.99.

Radiant Folded Star and Covered Box

You can use the Folded Star in a variety of ways – table toppers, covered boxes, clothing and accessory accents, and more!

This pattern includes full step by step directions for both a fabric covered box and a table topper.  Photographs of key steps are also included.
These Folded Stars are fat quarter friendly, great stashbusters, and useful for scraps!  Use Christmas fabrics to create a festive holiday table topper.  Use pastels or batiks to create a striking storage box.  Make a scrappy star to complement your latest quilt.  The possibilities are endless!  The pattern is easy to make and requires little sewing.  This is a great project for kids and confident beginners.

Buy Now on Sale! $2.99

Buy now, sew today!

You are purchasing a PDF pattern which will be available for immediate download after purchase. After your payment is processed, you will be e-mailed a link from which you can download the pattern.

Keep it Thimble!

Radiant Folded Patchwork Star Pattern and Covered Box

As regular readers know, one of my goals this year is to release my first retail pattern!  I am pleased announce that is is now available.  The Radiant Folded Star and Covered Box is inspired by a project that I did with my grandmother over 30 years ago.

Buy Pattern Now – Sale! $2.99

Radiant Folded Patchwork Star and Covered Box

This pattern includes full step by step directions for both a fabric covered box and a table topper.  Photos of key steps make the pattern easy to follow.

Radiant Patchwork Folded Star - Holiday Table Topper

A huge THANKS goes out to Jen Lopez of Sew Fun for encouraging me and mentoring me through this pattern design process.   Check out her site and all the great patterns she has!

Original Folded Patchwork Star Box

Here’s a picture of the original project that inspired this pattern – this is 30 years old and still looks as good as the day I made it.  Thanks Grandma – I’ll see you at Thanskgiving!

Buy Pattern Now – Sale! $2.99

Keep it Thimble!

Wool Applique Project Notebook

I always have a few wool applique projects in process at any one time.  I usually cut out all the wool pieces, get the embroidery floss, and the put everything in a Ziploc bag so it can be worked on later.  They are great to stitch on in the evening when watching TV or just hanging out.  As you can imagine, there are a few Ziploc bags sitting in my closet!

Sharon of Liberty Rose has a great idea for organizing all these items!  This project notebook features wool applique on the front and inside cover (so you have a place to keep your needles and pins) and it pretty easy to sew together (I plan to post a tutorial about how to cover the notebook sometime before the end of the year).  The notebook contains zippered pouches that are the perfect size for carrying all your project supplies.

Project Notebook

The notebook is standard 3 Ring binder.  I ironed fusible fleece on my stitching fabric so that the cover is more durable (especially since it will be used a lot).   I did some basic applique on the front and and inside cover.

Project Notebook - Inside

I didn’t go too crazy with the embroidery embellishments, since the main purpose is functional, not decorative.  My embroidery time is better spent finishing up the wool crazy block that was started a year ago!  A pocket on the back inside cover can carry larger pattern books that won’t fit in the pouches.

Project Notebook - Back Pocket

Now, when traveling, I just take out a zippered project pouch, throw it in the suitcase, and am good to go.  Talk about Keeping it Thimble!

In other news, look for details in the next week or so on my first published pattern.  In the meantime, here are some sneak peeks:

Pattern Sneak Peek 1

Pattern Sneak Peak 2

Keep it Thimble!

Class Information – Carry All Project Tote

The first draft of Carry All Project Tote pattern is almost completed.  A few testers are lined up, so they will help me fine tune the directions.  I am teaching a class on this tote at the Whistle Stop Quilt Shop in Cary, NC on September 10.

Carry All Project Tote

Please call or visit the shop if you want to sign up.  You should be able to finish the project in class (if you do your homework beforehand!).  The shop has the supply list and the homework assignment:

  • Carry All Project Tote Class
  • Saturday, Sept 10, 9am – 1pm
  • Class Fee:  $25
  • Whistle Stop Quilt Shop, 919-387-7400
  • 3434 Kildaire Farm Rd, Suite 136, Cary, NC 27518

Pattern Design – Phase One

So far, so good.  I have the first part of the pattern written which include the yardage and the directions for cutting the fabric.  Honestly, this part is probably the most difficult for me to write because it’s tricky to figure out how much fabric to tell people to get.

If you estimate too low (ie, just barely enough) there is a chance that someone makes a cutting error, doesn’t have enough for the project, and has to go back to store for more.  If you estimate too much, someone will spend more then they need on the fabric and have a lot of scraps left over!  I personally don’t mind having leftovers, but in this economy, I know I try to save money where I can :).

Carry All Project Tote - Sample

My pattern lists the sizes for each piece, but in addition it will also include cutting instructions so that people can cut out the pieces the most efficient way possible.  I always appreciate patterns who have provide specific guidelines on how to actually cut the yardage into pieces.  Sometimes I follow them, and sometimes I don’t, but it’s nice to have them.

Labels for the pattern pieces are also included so that there is any easy way to track all the pieces.  Each piece is assigned a specific number and you will cut out the labels and pin them to the appropriate pattern piece.  The directions will reference the piece number on the labels to (hopefully) eliminate any confusion with the actual pattern.

What do you think about these pattern features?  Is there anything else I should also include?

Keep it thimble!