Well, welcome!
There’s been a lot happening behind the scenes recently, and now you can see the results of some of that. The site has a new look, and on the back-end it’s entirely new. This means that it should not only run faster, but we’ve also tried to make things easier to find and more available for you.
And, the biggest news is that I now have a shop. (See 2nd menu item above and left.) In it, you will find a selection (that will grow) of my patterns available as PDF downloads. To start, we have Shirts, Outhouse, Social tote, Nest Egg tote, and Catenary.
My book, Savor Each Stitch, is also available in the shop–it’s not for download, but is the physical, real deal that you will receive in your mailbox.
The addition of a shop and doing downloadables has been a long time coming, and it doesn’t arrive without some bittersweet feelings about it on my end. On the one hand, I love downloadable products. My own hard drive is chock full of PDFs that I’ve eagerly purchased from designers. They are a handy means to great projects that I’ve enjoyed making. As someone who doesn’t live close to a quilt shop, I can appreciate the convenience, and as someone who is often struck with moments of creative compulsion, I can appreciate the instant gratification of what just a few clicks can do for you.
Having said all of that, there still isn’t a replacement for having a beautiful pattern in hand or finding that pattern in the environment of a well-curated and thoughtful local quilt shop. The support of the independent retailers and distributors who carry my products over the last few years has helped me grow my business immeasurably, and so it’s important for me to recognize their role in this system not only as a designer, but as a consumer as well. Just like cruising blogs or instagram for project ideas, some of the best independent shops deliver us the same creative inspiration by doing their own homework to source the best patterns and supplies for us to see and use. For this reason, you’ll still find a directory of such shops, and I encourage you to support them as well.
In my book, I talk about how bringing ourselves into our projects makes them different, and quilt shops work in the same way. Each shop owner makes buying decisions based on any number of factors that they deem important. Because of that, you never know what you’ll find when you step into a new place. Or, you also end up seeing familiar things in a totally new context that makes you think about them in a new way, which I totally love. In traveling so much, I’m lucky to get to see so many of these amazing places, which is such a treat. (A dangerous treat, but still a treat…)
So, it’s with much happiness that I launch my new shop–I hope that it will be a great resource for you! I can’t wait to see what you make.
I love the new look and PDFs! Yea!!!!!! Congrats girl. A lot of hard work paying off with a beautiful new site.
Love the fresh look! And, your thoughts on going digital while still supporting the physical is spot on. I love instant gratification but somehow having a glossy covered pattern from a shop in my hands is a great thing!
Absolutely love your new site and patterns!
Nice job. All of your stuff is of course amazing;)
As for PDF patterns–I have stopped buying any PDF patterns. I find them cumbersome and sometimes the number of pages to print is enormous. I hope you will not discontinue the printed versions. I am also amazed at the cost of PDFs. In general, I find them over-priced. They are costly to print, often awkward to use, and difficult to store.
Hi, Sandra! Not to worry–printed patterns will absolutely continue to be a part of my product line. The addition of PDFs is intended for folks who prefer that format.
Congratulations! The new look is great. Easy to use and well designed.
yay! And ‘yes’ to all of your thoughts on shops and pdfs. 🙂 Looks lovely!
You’ve done a lovely job on the site, Carolyn…I enjoy your work tremendously.
I’m so excited that you’re selling PDFs! I agree that beautifully printed patterns are a treat but I’ve yet to find your patterns available in New Zealand and adding international postage to the price can make the patterns so expensive! Your new site looks beautiful!
Love it all but am thrilled about the downloadable patterns 🙂
Congrats!! Nice site!
Without my local quilt shop, Quilting Adventures, I never would have found your wonderful patterns. I purchased your book there as well, but not everyone is so lucky to live close to a fabulous quilt shop. Having a shop online gives quilters, who aren’t so lucky, the means to explore your patterns. Best of luck expanding your online shop.
I’ve purchased Outhouse, still haven’t made it….can’t wait to buy your fabric on your site.I got some (numbers in black &white) at Road to CA. Is Quiltcon in Pasadena 2015 & 2016? Are you teaching?
Caren
I love the convenience of PDFs, but appreciate my local shop too. I occasionally buy fabric online (like yours, actually!) but I always try to check my local shop first. They’re so great – know you by name and know what you like. They’re great to help you choose fabric if you want help and leave you be if you’re figuring it out on your own. I remember once the owner came back from a show or expo or something and asked what I thought of a fabric line and said she thought of me when she saw it. I love that she’s out there thinking of all of us!