Monday 5 November 2012

Paper Piecing Pattern Design – My Process

 I’ve had a few people ask me how I go about drawing up my patterns. So I thought I’d share how I do it. I’m no expert, I just do things the way they work for me the best. This isn’t a tutorial but it might give some of you keen to try your own patterns a starting point. Or it might simply amuse some of you to see my before and after pics ;) It amuses me. I'm perhaps easily amused. hehe.

Quiet Play Paper Pieced Patterns for purchase

First up – I use EQ7 (Electric Quilt 7). Not a cheap piece of software but it is definitely worth it. I don’t use it to its full capabilities – I mainly using it for paper piecing patterns, but the more features I start finding and using, the more I love it. If you’re not up for that kind of investment (and I wasn’t – my awesome parents gave me my copy!), there is also Quilt Assistant. That’s a free program designed especially for paper piecing. I started off with that one. It’s a bit of a learning curve, but then so is EQ7.

So then what?! You pretty much have a choice – use a picture as a tracing image, or freehand it. I do both.

There are a few options for tracing. Sometimes I draw it on paper, scan it into the computer then use the “tracing image” option in EQ7. Like this stork:

Stork sketchStork

Sometimes I draw a rough (very rough!) outline in Paint. It just gives me some guidance on where to place the key things in my pattern. Don’t laugh. Okay you can have a little snicker – I know - my Paint drawings are pathetic.

RapunzelRapunzel EQ7

The third option – sometimes easier than my own drawings is a photo. I generally take my own photos for patterns to avoid any copyright issues (except when I paper pieced Marieka’s house for fun! ).

As I sell my patterns, I figure this is the best course of action to make sure that my work is completely my own. Side note: for those observant enough to notice my LEGO patterns – I made those for my own personal use and contacted the LEGO group for permission – which they kindly gave - to share them as free patterns on my blog) – but they are personal use only, no money is made from them.

Chopsticks photochopsticks

And there’s the patterns that I draw freehand. Start with a blank screen in EQ7, and divide it up into sections and away I go. These generally take a LOT more tweaking and playing around with to get just right. They might not be as nicely centred or as tidy as some of my other patterns, but sometimes inspiration strikes and I just go for it.

Sometimes the results seriously suck. Keeping it real and sharing one of my reject patterns here Winking smile Be kind. Yeah I don’t know why anyone would want to paper piece a quilt on a chair either. I just wanted to draw it.Thank goodness I have awesome quilty pals to help me reign in the bad creativity and focus on the good.
Quilt on a chair

Other times, the freehand designs work. Like my little house. Smile That worked way better than I thought. I’ll admit I may have done a little happy dance when it did work. More so when my freehand design translated into fabric just as well!

First attempt Janes house34 Patchwork Lane

So there you have it, my friends! You know my paper pieced design secrets! Or at least my starting point. If you’re keen on seeing how to use EQ7 to translate your design into a paper pieced pattern (sections and numbering), ShapeMoth has a great tutorial. Be warned, these patterns are a bit addictive, but very fun. If you give it a go, I wish you luck and patience.

If you just like to paper piece and have no interest whatsoever in designing your own patterns, may I be so cheeky as to direct you to my Patterns page and Craftsy store? hehehe promise there are some freebies in there! Winking smileOr let me know if you’re keen to test my patterns for me. That’s always appreciated!  Oh and I don’t mind special requests if you’re after a specific pattern design.

Whew! Well that’s enough! Guess I should quit procrastinating and go actually sew! Or maybe draw up some more patterns….

24 comments:

  1. I love your patterns! Always so easy and well thought out. I am always happy to road test some for you :)
    Oh and I WILL get around to piecing my gorgeous house pattern when I come up for air after the moving mayhem! xx

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  2. That's really helpful Kristy. I like paper piecing - do I need EQ7 if I want to design my own patterns then?

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  3. You crack me up Kristy. However you get there - love your patterns! :)

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  4. So creative! I have limited patience so can't imagine doing this, but love it that you are such a paper-piecing fiend and am constantly amazed with what you come up with!

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  5. I would love to test your patterns Kristy! :) And this post really hits home with me, b/c a couple of nights ago, I got the wild idea to draw up an EPP pattern for a pot holder that I want to make for my SIL. I totally free handed it while looking at a tiny pic of the object on my computer screen. Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing your process. I had no idea you could use computer software to do it. :)

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  6. Thanks for sharing your process, I love the patterns you make!

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  7. Your patterns are all wonderful, so it is nice to find out how you go about creating them. I'm impressed with your hand drawn stork!

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  8. You are sooo generous sharing with all of us your method to design your own pp patterns!!
    I'm a brazilian quilter and I have been sewing pp since many years but only in the last few months, looking quilters like you, that have a desire to create original things, I beginned to create courage to try my own, but I have many doubts! Your description is clear and useful! Thank you soooo much.
    hugs from Brazil,
    Sil

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  9. Wow, I was always in awe with your creativity and it's interesting to see how your process goes! I'm almost done with the chopsticks, I was assembling the block when we lost power due to Sandy :( I have 3 more seams to sew and I'm done :)

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  10. As you know I am a beginner paper piecer but am slowly becoming addicted. I would love ot test things for you! I love that chair - reminds me of one mom had when we were kids.

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  11. Thanks for sharing! I've been wondering what the best way to come up with patterns so this will definitely help.

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  12. That is really cool. I need to start working on this more.

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  13. Greats post. I have not got any software but I may consider it one day... Love the process!

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  14. I will leave the pattern making to you but I always love to see other people's process for doing things. Thanks for the sneak peak inside the mastermind!!!

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  15. Your patterns are awesome! And thanks for sharing your free ones with us!
    I am so happy that there are talented pattern designers like you, coming up with fresh ideas all the time!

    You are right about paper piecing being addicting....
    Susie

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  16. Ooh this is fab, I've been wanting to start creating patterns on the computer for a while, just trying to persuade hubby to buy me Adobe creative suite but maybe now I will look into EQ7. Thanks for the tips

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  17. Wonderful post with great ideas. I love paper piecing, and the Sew Out Loud QAL really got me hooked! I'd be more than happy to test drive a pattern for you!

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  18. Thank you for a very informative post, I'm excited at the potential of creating a pattern from a photo. If you still want testers, I'm willing!

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  19. I never saw this post - very cool concept! I didn't even realize they had a software program like that!

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  20. I am a beginning piecer and my biggest problem is knowing how to number the pieces. I have a very simple pattern but each time I start in a different place I still find myself stuck because of a piece I should have added before some other. Is there a trick to it or some rule?

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    1. There isn't really a trick or a rule - it's something that you tend to learn the more experienced you become with patterns. While the first design might look great, it may take some tweaking to ensure that the pieces can actually be pieced in order. It's a bit of a learning curve sometimes!

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  21. For the record, I LOVE the quilt on a chair!

    Linda

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  22. For the record, I LOVE your quilt on a chair!
    Linda

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  23. I know this is an older post, but wanted to say thanks for the explanation of your process! I'm in love with your patterns and you've inspired me to give designing a try!

    I'd LOVE to be a tester for any of your new designs. (and for the record, I think your quilt on a chair is totally cute too)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I read each and every word! I'll do my best to reply to them either via email or here on the blog, when time permits!