| One afternoon I was sitting on the ski lift with a good | | | | chosen and get a feel for how they organize a |
| friend. We were having one of those silent moments | | | | pattern. Generally there is a short intro that gives some |
| where you just enjoy the breathtaking scenery laid out | | | | insight into how the artist developed the pattern. Is it |
| in front of you. All of a sudden I just blurted, "I think I will | | | | based on a pattern your grandmother taught you, |
| publish some of my quilt patterns." Immediately I | | | | inspiration from a trip to Europe, colors from your |
| wanted to take those words back. All I knew of | | | | garden? There needs to be a personal connection to |
| publishing was tales from good writers whose | | | | you the quilt artist. Give your pattern a name and tell |
| manuscripts and articles were returned with nice | | | | the reader how big the finished project will be. |
| letters that basically said, "Sorry, maybe next time." | | | | Next is usually a list of materials that includes fabric |
| But the damage was already done. I had said it, with | | | | requirements identified by basic color and/or pattern as |
| conviction even and I had better follow through. I chose | | | | well as cutting instructions for the project. Evaluate |
| a pattern and selected a magazine that I thought it | | | | your cuts and make sure to present them so that |
| may appeal to. I submitted. Six weeks later I received | | | | fabric is used efficiently. |
| a letter, not a "sorry" letter, but a "yes" letter. Within a | | | | Written instructions walk the reader through completion |
| few months my name and creation were in print and it | | | | of your pattern. This step seemed the most |
| was very gratifying. | | | | overwhelming to me, but once I sat down with pencil in |
| But, was it a fluke? A weak publisher caught at a | | | | hand the instructions just flowed onto the paper. And |
| vulnerable moment? I tried again - another "yes"! Then, | | | | why not, we've all invested plenty of time reading |
| a "not this pattern, please try again" and then another | | | | them. |
| "yes"! This was not a fluke and one publisher had even | | | | Drawings are an import part of your submission. If the |
| called me a "quilt artist". | | | | pattern utilizes templates, they will need to be drawn to |
| I had always assumed that publishers were | | | | scale with dimensions. Your computer may have a |
| bombarded with pattern submittals. And maybe they | | | | simple drawing program on it, or you may be more |
| are overwhelmed with crinkled photographs and | | | | comfortable with pencil and graph paper. If so, you are |
| sketches on restaurant napkins. But from what I can | | | | not alone. Publishers recreate drawings in-house for |
| tell, publishers are hungry for well-formatted patterns. | | | | most of the patterns that are submitted to them. |
| Keep in mind that they have pages to fill and deadlines | | | | Consolidate your drawings as much as possible. One |
| to meet! | | | | thing I hear from all publishers is that they have limited |
| Some magazines are geared more towards a certain | | | | space for pattern drawings. |
| type of quilt such as traditional, foundation pieced, | | | | You will also need an assembly diagram. Your written |
| appliqué, easy or artsy. Identify the magazine that | | | | instructions will likely tell the reader how the quilt is |
| is best suited for your quilt pattern. Guidelines for | | | | assembled, but a visual is an important reference. This |
| submission are generally accessible from the | | | | diagram helps the reader see in what order the blocks |
| magazine's website - read and follow them. Make it | | | | and border are assembled. Again, refer to diagrams in |
| easy for the publisher to say yes. Submit a packet | | | | a current issue. This will help you see how to organize |
| that includes all necessary diagrams and instructions | | | | your diagram. |
| and is ready for publication. The more professional | | | | Don't feel that your pattern has to also teach the |
| your submission looks, the more confidence they will | | | | reader how to quilt. Most magazines print a section |
| have in your pattern. | | | | every month that provides basic instructions for block |
| Magazines work on issues six months in advance. So | | | | assembly, layering batting and backing as well as |
| while you are constructing your Easter table runner - | | | | instructions for binding the quilt. |
| they are planning for Halloween. If you submit a spring | | | | And last but not least, you will need to submit a basic |
| pattern when they are thinking Christmas, it may not | | | | color photo of your quilt. This doesn't need to be |
| capture their attention as much as a holiday tree skirt. | | | | anything fancy or staged. Once your pattern is |
| If you are just at the beginning of your project, this is | | | | accepted, the publisher will request you send them |
| the time to take notes that will make writing your | | | | your quilt so they can take their own photographs. |
| pattern much easier. Keep track of how much fabric | | | | Drop it off on your way to meet friends. That way |
| you use. Photograph the various stages of your | | | | you can say, "Sorry I'm late, I had to send a package |
| project. Take notes regarding the order of assembly. | | | | off to my publisher. |
| Spend some time to review the magazine you have | | | | |