Pattern tester?

[Shirley M.]

I am currently trying to write patterns for my designs. I think that I should have someone else test my patterns and give me feedback on how well it is written and if I've miscalculated or mistyped some of the measurements. Unfortunately I don't personally know anyone that would have the time, skill, and desire to do this for me. So here are my questions:

How do I find someone willing and qualified?
How should I compensate them for their efforts?

[Eileen K.]

Do you belong to a guild? You could ask a few of the members. As compensation, you could offer to pay for the fabric so they don't use their stash.
Just a thought,
eileenkny 8)

[Eileen K.]

I am not currently part of a quilting guild. I have been meaning to join one since I moved here last fall but haven't been able to. I can look into that, I'm sure my local fabric store could tell me how to get involved.

[Eileen K.]

A couple of years ago I tested patterns for a friend. She would pay me and would supply the fabrics she wanted used. After a while, she said she had heard through a designer's network that no one pays thier testers. She switched to just giving credit on the patterns. I stopped doing it since I mainly wanted the money.

It's so much work publishing a pattern! She actually makes the copies on her computer, folds and stuffs the bags and mails them to the distributor. She makes something like a couple of dollars on each.

That's what I know about it! Good luck. Nancy in W. NY

[Eileen K.]

I would hazard a guess that not very many pattern designers use pattern testers - judging by the number of problems I have encountered with patterns


I have learnt to look very carefully at a pattern and to try and work out if any measurements they give are accurate before cutting out six million squares at 2 inches and then finding it should have been 3 inches.

It is hard to write the instructions for a quilt - but you have to do it down to the lowest level. Do not assume the person using the pattern knows anything.

Just my thoughts on the subject

[Eileen K.]

A couple of years ago I tested patterns for a friend. She would pay me and would supply the fabrics she wanted used. After a while, she said she had heard through a designer's network that no one pays thier testers. She switched to just giving credit on the patterns. I stopped doing it since I mainly wanted the money.

It's so much work publishing a pattern! She actually makes the copies on her computer, folds and stuffs the bags and mails them to the distributor. She makes something like a couple of dollars on each.

That's what I know about it! Good luck. Nancy in W. NY

If it is best to pay a pattern tester then what would be considered fair?

[Eileen K.]

I think that's a personal decision. It depends on the area where you live, the relationship you have with the tester and the profit you plan on making with the pattern.
Maybe you should join a designers' forum for these kind of questions. There's got to be something on Yahoo.
eileenkny

[Annette R.]

It seems to me that a quilt pattern designer needs two types of testers- one the expert who can make a wonderful quilt from yoru pattern that you may be able to use to help you sell the pattern and that will provide inspiration to all who see the quilt and your pattern. and number 2, a pattern dummy (like me that hates patterns and has trouble following them) This person can tell you what instructions were incorrect or baffling and will help your business grow. I would ask the "dummy" to keep track of the time that they spent working on the quilt. as far as reimbursement I think it would depend on the size of the quilt.

Also would you need the whole quilt done or just some squares. If you have repetitive squares maybe you only need a tester to do a few squares and review the construction instructions rather than make a whole quilt

any way good luck and hope you find someone who can help you.

Ann

[Annette R.]

Here's the link for the Quilt Designers group on yahoo:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quiltdesigners/

You may want to wait a week or two to ask your question, Quilt Market is next week and the postings are quiet right now as most are getting ready for the show. In the mean time, you can read through the archives, there is lots of great information there.

Andi

[Annette R.]

Here's the link for the Quilt Designers group on yahoo:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quiltdesigners/

You may want to wait a week or two to ask your question, Quilt Market is next week and the postings are quiet right now as most are getting ready for the show. In the mean time, you can read through the archives, there is lots of great information there.

Andi

Thank you, I'll check it out.

AJ