McKenna Ryan pattern question
 

I just received a used McKenna Ryan pattern I ordered off E-Bay -- Moose Crossing (1995). All that is in the envelope (which is a flat brown paper bag with colour photo on front) is one double-ledger sized piece of paper with the instructions on one side and a "life sized" placement guide on the other that is in reverse of the colour picture. Do you think this is the whole pattern? I had expected paper templates I could cut around and trace. Since the objects overlap each other, I have no idea how I'm supposed to make templates of these, especially since the instructions are on the back. Under "Steps for assembling" #3 states: "Cut out applique pieces and fuse into place, referring to placement guide and photo for placement." There's no mention of tracing the pattern. How can one cut out something that is layered over another object? Thanks.

sounds like you should have had another sheet with the pattern and numbers on them. I would question the seller.

I have a few McKenna Ryan patterns, and they have individual templates. I don't have Moose Crossing. However, if you trace each piece in the pattern and then leave some space around it when you cut it out you should be okay. Like you, I would have expected to see individual templates in the pattern, but I have seen many patterns, particularly online, without the individual templates.

It sounds like the moon, moose & trees etc.might be all there . Look closely I would trace the patterns on to freezer paper...........if you have never appliqué before the Internet offers methods. Calla

Do the instructions specify if you're supposed to copy the placement guide and make your own templates? I've run into similar instructions. I was expecting a pattern and instead found directions for how to draft my own. I did not feel I got what I paid for.

I have the 1999 McKenna Ryan "Loon Creek" pattern, and it is as you describe. The instructions are on one side, and the other side is the placement guide. On the instruction side there is diagram indicating what size to cut the different "strips", and there is a "fusible web applique instructions" section that tells you to trace each shape separately...the dashes on the pattern is where they overlap... On the placement guide side is printed instructions...cut 5 tree tops...5 tree trunks...hope this isn't too confusing...it took me awhile to figure it out also!

Having the pattern this way is more cost effective for her - I now look to see if applique patterns offer full-size templates. As much as McKenna Ryan patterns cost you would think they would be included.

Thank you for the explanation. I feel a bit ripped off (not by the E-Bay seller), but I certainly expected that I could cut the items out without having to trace around them, especially with the images being overlapped. But it is what it is.

You could photocopy them. I'd rather photocopy than trace. :p

Good thinking!

cost effective for her? they cost enough to have templates, period.

These are her early patterns in the paper bag and she has changed them as she grew as a designer. They cost about half of what her newer ones cost, and usually had less detail. I still own a whole bunch of these.

I should have also said that I did photocopy everything and then made individual templates. I also found that the pattern didn't match the picture exactly...there was more detail in the picture than on the pattern...

For the cost of the patterns I would expect very good and clear I st ructions and strong templates.
Never seen her work before it. Is beautiful but not sure i would pay 100$ plus my post and a age to UK 20$ . Too ouch for me.

Take it to your local copy center! If they try to tell you it's copyright protected, tell them it is for personal use so you can cut it up and still have the instructions.

I did this once, and the pattern very clearly stated that photocopying for personal use was allowed. The employee still refused to copy it for me. He said if HE copied it, he'd be selling it, and it would no longer be "personal use". He said it was okay if I was the one who made the copy, however. Seriously??? Does it really matter who pushes the dad gum button on the machine?

Grab some tracing paper and start marking!

Do you have a printer that scans or know anyone who does? I do a lot of fusible appliqué and it's a pain having to trace in reverse (so I can iron it to the wrong side of the fabric). Even though I can use the insert in my Horn sewing cabinet as a lightbox - I like to 'see' as I go along.

DH watched me muttering one day and asked why I didn't just print off the scan reversed :shock:...........who knew? Unbeknownst to me, and probably a lot of other people, there's a simple setting on the printer which allows you to either print normally or reverse the image for you!

This is true - on my copier, it has a feature called "mirror image". And my copier is an old and very rudimentary model. I believe most copiers have this feature, although now that I think about it, I'm not sure that it matters if any of McKenna's appliques are backwards or forwards. Meaning, does it really matter if the bird faces east or west? :)