Last year on September 18th I released my first pattern, Ravenna! I was so scared that day when I hit publish on the pattern and the intro post. I knew how I felt about the pattern, it was pretty great, but what a test in confidence to throw something out to the world and hope that people like it. One year later I will tell you that I still get just as nervous putting a pattern out that I did last year, maybe more because people actually know who I am this year where as last year I was totally unknown.
Author: Kimberly Payne
Dude Just Print It
Today was a huge aha moment for me, as Oprah would say. No it wasn’t about the perfect pattern design or some new program that will revolutionize the indie sewing pattern world, it was something much more vital to pdf patterns.
I figured out how to print my pdf patterns on my HP printer without the bottom 1/4″ being cut off!! Super exciting right?!
Not Just a Sunsuit
When my friend Ajaire of Call Ajaire reached out and asked if I would like to join the blog tour for her first pattern, the Paneled Sunsuit, I jump aboard. I haven’t been sewing for my kiddos nearly enough so it was fun to set aside all the womens patterns and do a little kid sewing. Unlike your average blog tour Ajaire asked us to show how her pattern is not just a sunsuit but can actually be remixed into other pieces for your kiddos wardrobe.
Cultivate Your Creative Tribe
Over the last month I have become obsessed with the podcast, Being Boss, and everything related to it. Kathleen Shannon of Braid Creative and Emily Thompson of Indieshopography are the ladies behind the podcast and they are literally pouring everything they know into the creative entrepreneurial world. They are pushing creative entrepreneurs to really look at what they are doing and then offering up invaluable knowledge on ways to grow your business to a level you might not have dreamed up. I seriously can’t get enough, which works great because I have like 20 episodes to still catch up on.
Getting Ready for Fall
It’s like a great big fall love fest around here, can you tell I am just a little bit excited for the weather to change. Seattle is absolutely hands down the best place in the world to be in the fall, but I may be a bit biased.
With the release of the Fall Collection by Indiesew it really got me into fall mode so why not go all fall and share with you another way I am getting ready for fall, the Sophie Cardi by Muse Patterns.
Perfect Fall Wardrobe
When Allie of Indiesew contacted me last month about having my Laurelhurst pattern included in her Fall Collection I couldn’t respond fast enough. Once I stopped sending !!!! to my husband I responded with the perfectly professional email saying HECK YES! It’s a good thing we are friends or she might have thought I was a bit crazy.
Lets Sit and Chat
I am going to try something new today and I hope you all like it. I thought it would be fun to make a little video to share a little bit more about me and my family and to also give a big shout out to all of you. Grab some coffee and lets sit and chat. (I just wish you were actually here in my dining room so we could chat in person)
As promised in the video here is the link to the post on how my husband and I met. And yes I just read it again 🙂
Photoshoot Locations
Last month I launched a new series on the blog, Behind the Scenes at Straight Stitch Designs, where I will be giving you a glimpse into my creative process, my family, my work space and why I do the things I do. Make sure to check out my first post on paper patterns, I think you will be surprised at what goes into every paper pattern you purchase from me.
For this months Behind the Scenes post I am going to be talking to you about photoshoot locations and what the realities of the pictures you are seeing on the blog actually are.
Beach Cover Up
Summer is in full swing here in Seattle and at this rate it isn’t going to ever end, like ever! Just kidding but goodness it has been a hot summer and anyone else who is from the Northwest can attest that this weather is nutso.
Since we are sure to have many more beach days I decided to run with that idea of a beach cover up for my guest post over at Make It & Love It.
Why Buy It When You Can Sew It
One of my good friends has the cutest woven joggers in the most perfect tribal fabric. They are perfect for the summer when you want to wear something comfortable but also look a bit more put together. She recently wore them over to my house for a girls movie night and I immediately knew I had to have some! But that thought was immediately followed by why buy it when you can sew it. The best part was that I knew exactly what pattern to use and had the most perfect peach skin fabric in my stash for them.