Day off

 
Yesterday we took a  day off from our volunteer work which can resemble work more than fun some weeks.  I took a day off from pattern decisions and we went out to play.  This was also a kind of pre-birthday gift.  Anne had always wanted to have lunch at the Furry Creek Golf Club so off we went.  I thought about making it a surprise - kidnapping and blindfolding her.  But it's a long-ish drive and I knew she'd figure it out anyway.  Or I'd break down and tell her.  Here are just a few snaps from the day ...

A quick stop at Britannia Beach to look around and walk a bit since we were early for lunch.  This baby starling popped out of his nest hole to greet us.

 The community church has been re-purposed.  Letters to God?

 Before the trip we had picked up some toys to be sorted from the thrift shop.  This guy growls and roars.  I couldn't find his off switch.  Every bump seemed to inspire a roar.  There were two of these puppets - no way to even get the batteries out.  And an odd insect-looking thing that yipped.  On every bump. 

Our view from the lunch table...

 

A cascading waterfall backdrop for their wedding reception room...

A footbridge at Britannia which led to a path along the creek.  This tiny community has been the location for several movies. I have seen none of them. 

This is the creek under the bridge. 

Being a tourist in your own town...always fun.  And it always leaves you wondering why you don't do it more often.  But then we're back to that ordinary world and exploring has to wait for another day.    

The last word

Yesterday I got very excited about the pattern companies and their digital patterns.  I've spent some time and energy studying the new options open to me.

First, let me say that the printable patterns aren't exactly what I was thinking.  Depending on the pattern I choose, I will be printing  up to 60 pages on my home printer.  I will not be paying any shipping costs but I will be dinged an additional 20% (Simplicity) for the privilege of using my own paper.  After I have my 60 pages stacked up, I then get to spend all kinds of time wrestling with scissors and a pot of rubber cement (recommended) putting the pattern pieces together.  I still like my idea of a small-scale design on a grid that I can draw onto full-size grid paper.  That seems way less wasteful of so many resources. 

More research has led me to the conclusion that I am better off using the pattern sites to peruse the catalogs at home.  These are well-done and I can see how this would be much better than trying to get the same result in-store.  I have lots of paper and pens at home to write down the pattern numbers for presentation to the keeper of the pattern drawers at the fabric store.  I can go through my boxes of fabric lengths and figure out if I have enough before I get too far into the process.  I can also check my notion stash and get everything I need at once.  All the pattern information is right there at the click of my mouse. 

As for price, a little more research shows that since I'm a senior it will cost me $15 for a year's membership  in the fabric store club discount program.  There are member-only fabric sales throughout the year and discounts on patterns, too.  I used to have the membership but let it go because I wasn't using it.  I thought it would be way more costly now.  But I've aged into the cheap seats. 

So, I'll still be buying my patterns in the old way with some new shopping techniques.  All in all, this has been a useful exercise.  If I didn't live so near a store, I would definitely be considering ordering the patterns on-line and having them shipped. If you can wait for the order to be delivered - planning ahead is the key - and can order more than one pattern at a time, it's probably cheaper than my solution. 

 In the meantime, I'll be waiting for the pattern companies to adjust to my way of thinking.  And buying locally.

Eureka!

OK.  Now I feel sheepish.

I owe the pattern industry an apology.  I have been meaning to look for downloadable patterns but just haven't had the time to do that.  Obviously I had time to whine.  And I can dream up revolutions in the shower so that took no time at all.

I have visited McCalls  who are also responsible for Butterick and Vogue patterns.  And they have what appears to be all their patterns available for sale on-line.  I can see photos, line drawings, materials needed, measurements, fabric required - just everything.  I can order many of them them for about half what I would pay in a retail store.  And, best of all,some of them have printable patterns!

Armed with this discovery, I searched around for Simplicity - and the Burda patterns. I  found it!  Same thing.  Downloadable patterns (for many) and cheaper to order.  With the printable feature I don't have to pay the shipping and the pattern is right there. 

I am so excited!  I'm going to try it out.  Since I have my own idea of what printable patterns might be like, I'm looking forward to the reality.  This is going to be fun.  And for all of you who have said you'd like to look at patterns at home - you can!  .  Just lookin' is easier than actually going to a store. 

Isn't it amazing how fast those pattern companies caught up to me? 

Here's how!

I'm still thinking about online patterns.

I did go searching for some but all I found were for crafts or very simple items that usually used a ready-made garment, like jeans or a sweatshirt, as a foundation to make something else.  Any patterns were based on geometrical shapes which are fairly easy to achieve but not always suited to fashion clothing. 

So, here's my solution.  I don't really have the expertise to do it but, hey!  it's all imaginary anyway.  Those of us who sew, know how to trace a pattern.  I've traced pattern pieces from magazines which are paced on a little grid.  Then I just use grid paper and make a  full-size piece.  It's work but no less work than tracing the various sizes of those multi-size patterns that are about all you can buy now. 

So, if the designers could just make me a pattern on a grid, include their directions, and put it online for a reasonable price, I'd buy it.  I would expect that just as in the knit/crochet community the free patterns would also start to flow.  I don't think it would take anything away from the professional clothes designers. It could lead to a whole new wave of home sewers. 

What do you think?  Go ahead...have your say.