My friend, Stephanie @Late Night Quilter shared a powerful post with me on Thursday: May is for Makers by Lindsey @LRStitched. Please, go give it a read before you continue on with my thoughts.
May is for Makers
Lindsey’s May is for Makers idea did not just push a button for me, she mashed down on several of them all at once. I am currently in a bit of a state of overwhelm, and her post and call to action made me pause in a way that re-centered me and helped me re-acknowledge some of my core beliefs.
When Lindsey said:
…the balance between what we expect for free and what we are willing to purchase is way out of whack.
…it just made me stop and pause. You know, I have used one of Lindsey’s designs before in the Myer Quilt that I made last year. I found it on the Sew Mama Sew blog as a free tutorial.
Just to be clear, this is not about trying to guilt you into buying my patterns (though if you want to buy from me, I won’t argue!). This is about supporting all the innovators and creators of the quilting and sewing worlds. I am just one of thousands of independent designers trying to make a go of it in this business, and we all need your support. Consider buying a pattern as a way of saying thank you for a free tutorial you learned from, or a free pattern that you especially loved—after all, that free tutorial or pattern was probably only made possible by that designer’s paid patterns.
So, I am pledging to buy 5 patterns over the course of May.
To kick things off, I knew exactly the right pattern to buy. Kitty @Night Quilter released her newest foundation paper pieced pattern on Friday: Bean Sprout. I actually hope to have something made and ready to gift with this by the end of the week. Because… what’s one more thing on my list at this point, right?
Bean Sprout Block Pattern by Kitty @Night Quilter
Let’s join together to support all the Makers this May! I can’t wait to see what (and who) you choose to support!
Linking up with Sunday Stash, because this pattern is a fantastic addition to my stash and I want to see what everyone else has been buying and who else everyone has been supporting this week!
I always try to purchase at least one pattern from a designer whos on line tutorial I have used, mind you there is a flip side to this sometimes newish pattern designers are not so welcoming when a small mistake or error is pointed out, but I digress from your topic,
I too found the original post following Stephanie’s post. It resonated with me because I have always looked at patterns and thought I could do that! Well after writing my first pattern these last couple of weeks and seeing how much time and energy go into them I have seen the light. I’m too taking part and have purchased my first pattern today!
I am joining this campaign too. I’ll be sharing each Monday with Lindsey. It struck a cord with me too, and I’ll be showing a few designers some real appreciation with a purchase this month.
Good Morning Yvonne! I first read about this on Caroles blog From My Carolina Home. I think this is fabulous that even just the two of you are going to be supporting this Awesome cause. I will explain myself in a private response later. I thank you for bringing it to my attention and I will be doing something to say thank you. Have a fantastic creative day!
I have been reading about this all over the place. Wonderful sentiment and I am happy to join in!
I love this idea! I don’t have much of a quilting budget right now (i.e – zero dollars) but I’ve started a list of patterns I want to buy from bloggers I follow who have helped me along the quilting journey. It may take a while to buy from all y’all, but it will happen! 🙂
This is a great idea. I haven’t been purchasing much lately due to a non-existence quilting budget. But I agree with the points made. We need to support each other. Time to go find some money for some patterns.
Thank you so much, Yvonne, and your bean sprout turned out great! As with any quilting, you probably see little quirks that no one else notices. I think it’s great! This sentiment hits so close to home for me, same as you. My quilting budget is in the red, but I’m still going to dig deep and buy patterns. It’s such an important part of this community! <3 I'm so grateful you began the month with my pattern!
This is such a great idea! The best way to support your favorite designers: buy something from them and spread the word!
I love this idea. I had been waiting for the bean sprout pattern, too. I have a really good friend who is a quilter and garden writer/blogger. I bought the pattern from Kitty on Saturday and asked my friend if she would like to exchange mini quilts made for each other on Sunday. I will have to be sneaky with my Instagram posting progress on that one until I can give it to her. 😉
This has obviously struck a chord with many – understandably, and such a good,practical idea for doing something about it too. As a complete non pattern user I’ll have to think of a way it makes sense for me to join in too. I might have to browse a few patterns for clothes instead, or perhaps find a quilting book from a blogger that appeals to me…
I think this will hit a chord with just about anyone in the creative community. Such a great idea!
I love this initiative….. I do buy patterns from lots of people during the year, but it did make me stop and think about all the wonderful free tutorials I have used over the years and not given back. 🙂
As you know I don’t really use quilting patterns but I do buy dressmaking patterns from indie designers. This is a powerful idea: about not just sharing within the quilting community but valuing each other properly.I love that someone has suggested a practical way to put that into action.
Great idea! Having just purchased several books I can commit to at least one pattern. I signed up for my first quilt event in November for improv techniques and not really quilt travel ready so I bought the sew together bag pattern on craftsy. Now I just need to get my act together and make it.
This is a great idea. Thank you for sharing it! I’ve purchased my first pattern and put the button on my blog.