When the Grab ‘n’ Diaper Clutch pattern made its debut at Quilt Market – the it selling event for pattern designers – a number of fabric shop owners said it was the “best diaper bag pattern [they] had seen at Market”. (I guess when you are cool and in-the-know, you can just call it by one name). Naturally, I was delighted by this praise. When people remarked it was “just right” – the right size, the right shape, fits the little changing pad right in there with a travel case of wipes – I just said “Thanks!” but what they didn’t know was how many bad designs preceded this good one.
As part of my on-going “In the Studio” Tour, I’d like to share with you how many prototypes, some more hideous than others, I suffered through before coming up with the final design.
There are six shown in this photo, but the real number was something like 7 or 8 because I think at least twice I hacked up one version in a desperate ploy to make it into another. I don’t know what is going on with that ruffled one in the back. It looks like some kind of angry chef’s hat. I don’t know what I was thinking.
But, the good news is, in the end it worked out OK. The design is now really crisp and clean. I tested the heck out of the instructions (thanks, friends over at Sew, Mama, Sew!) to ensure anyone who tried to stitch up this pattern would get good results. I guess practice really does make perfect, which worked out well for our friend Sue, she made SEVEN diaper clutches… just to start!
Got a question?
Hi Jen,
As I am currently coming up with my product range, I totally relate. The first prototypes take absolutely forever to come together, and then require considerable “tweaking”. Only after you have decided on the final design and made it a few times do you start to work out the best construction methods. I’ve just purchased your Sand Castle pattern – I’ve been thinking about a beach ball toy as I live by the beach – I’m happy to use and promote your pattern as I understand the hours of development that goes into a pattern. Thanks for all your hard work.