I’ve finally released my Baby Bishop Diaper Set pattern.
Whew. It’s been a long and crooked road with this pattern. It was my first draft after opening up this business. I hand drafted it, then fired up my old Symmetry program on my Windows XP computer to transfer in the measurements and do a CAD drawing. The trick was that the old Symmetry software (from the year 2000!!) did not convert patterns into a PDF format. So I had to use an intermediate file format that could be transferred to a flashdrive and transferred to my new laptop running Inkscape. At the time, my budget was tight and wasn’t ready to invest in Illustrator. And I was just beginning to research modern pattern drafting techniques using these drawing programs.
Inkscape is free but very clunky with it’s functions. I somehow managed to find a file type that could be imported into inkscape. It was very labor intensive because the file wouldn’t import at scale….I somehow had a huge picture on my screen that had to be reduced.
Tiling patterns for printing was a challenge and involved lots of research on the internet. Nothing is easy to find when it involves Inkscape. But somehow, it got it done and I asked a friend to test it. I used Word for the directions, which offered a whole other set of formatting challenges.
Making the changes recommended by my friend became a formatting nightmare. I started to rethink my budget for Illustrator.
I invested in Lauren Dahl’s pattern drafting course thinking I could use it for Inkscape but as I watched the use friendly tools and functions in action I was hooked. I bit the bullet and got the subscription.
Now I had to import the Inkscape file into Illustrator….NOT so easy to do! Again, it didn’t import to scale and other aspects were lost. I just decided it would be more accurate and easier to just re-draw the pattern with my original measurements and grade rules.
Then I decided to import all my directions into InDesign, because, of course! I was also sold on the ease of formatting after watching Lauren whip up directions and place/crop/format pictures with a few clicks. What a tedious task to break apart my Word document and copy and paste it into InDesign piece by piece.
In the meantime, I decided to do my doll pattern, then I had the request for Baby Pamela. These two patterns gave me the opportunity to sharpen my Illustrator and InDesign skills. The Baby Bishop is a much more complicated pattern, and I’m glad I got my practice in with my two previous patterns. It is finally done! Out of my head…and off my artboards lol.
I’ve had an amazing group of testers helping me make improvements and correct errors and I’d love to share their creations with you here. They are just lovely.
I had two beginner smockers testing for me this time and I want to show off their creations first. They were able to use my pattern and directions to make these beautiful little outfits for their little girls. After seeing them, I know I accomplished my mission of helping new smockers get started!
Danielle made this outfit:
She did an amazing job for her fist smocked outfit. I’m so proud of her. I hope she enjoys many more days of smocking for her little one. She will be a very well dressed little girl!
These are the back view and the sleeve finish. Very Sweet. Here’s a link to her page:
http://www.instagram.com/gooseberrymanor
Next is Amanda’s Gingham and Apple set.
She did an amazing job as well. I’m very proud of her too! And her little model is just adorable. I love how she used the blue gingham to complement the red apples. A very fresh and updated look.
This is a close up of her diaper cover…very nice stitching. And also another picture of her little model, because she is just so adorable!
Her page is http://www.instagram.com/sewingcotton
Sylvia made this with an art gallery print and it’s just lovely.
It’s so bright and cheerful. She’s the owner of Delicate Stitches, a wonderful shop for all heirloom sewing and smocking supplies. She’s been in business many years and she has a wonderful selection of laces, trims, fabrics, and threads. http://www.delicatestitches.com
Mary made this sweet little fall outfit and her adorable daughter is modeling. She’s such a sweetie and Mary did an amazing job.
I love the color combination and the plate she chose is just so pretty.
Her page is http://www.instagram.com/button_and_bee_
These two outfits were made by Julie, owner of Lamond Traditional over on Etsy.com. She’s been a long time smocker and also a very good friend. Her website is http://www.lamondtraditional.etsy.com She does beautiful work and has some very high quality outfits for sale. Very classic style.
This adorable pink and green outfit was made by another Mary. She spends most of her time with charity sewing and has a heart of gold. I love how she lined the diaper cover in pink so that it shadows through.
And our last sample was made by Sandra. A very sweet little floral with solid pink contrast. A classic little girl outfit.
So that about wraps it up. There is plenty of growth room designed into the pattern so you will get lots of wear before the child outgrows it. Sturdy construction and smocking make it easy to care for also…machine wash and dry on low. Smocking can handle it. That was the main reason I loved it for school clothes. Easy care. I hope you will try it!