When did you become confident enough - or learn that -
 

patterns and directions sometimes have mistakes in them -

and you have learned enough to be able to compensate for the pattern error or ignore it?


Did any of you notify the designer or the errors after you noted them? Or did you just continue on your way - assuming that someone else notified the designer. (It never occurred to me to notify the designer.)

I have been sewing all my life. I have always changed cutting layout to save fabric. When in school, I helped my younger sis with her sewing projects. The teacher would tell her she did it wrong until she told the teacher that I helped her. Then all was well. I have learned that we all have our way of doing things. Not wrong, just different. Never thought of it any other way. I just always look for an easier (to me) way.

I started out using EB QIAD books and only found 1 error which wasn't that bad. I also do things my way so I seldom follow instruction for cutting. They always state too much fabric is needed.

Like cjsews, I started sewing very early in life and was making Barbie clothes when I was 8 years old and since many of the patterns made no sense to me then I started doing it my way. When buying a pattern that looks intricate to me, I read it very carefully, do my best to follow their directions and usually end up doing what works best for me. When the QIAD show was on our local PBS station and Simply Quilts was on HGTV I watched them with great interest to learn some new ways. (Don't you hate to take a class to learn a new process and there is always one person that has to tell the instructor they are doing it wrong.) Some patterns do have errors - but sometimes, we just have a different way of doing it. When in doubt make a test run.

I have been really lucky to belong to a small quilting group with some very talented quilters, they have gotten me out of a few binds when there are mistakes. One of them is super good at just looking at a pattern and able to figure how to best to put it together. She has resized a number of patterns for us. I can handle patterns being wrong better than I handle buying a kit and having it short fabric---this has happend a couple of times to me.

I accept the fact that at times mistakes happen. I always read through a pattern before starting, if something doesn't seem quite right, or there is a typo or illustration error I fix it before beginning ( if I can figure out how) if I'm making a block that is new to me ( technique or design) I make a practice block before using my intended fabrics. When I find errors I visit the website ( if available) check for their ( fixes/errors) link ( they usually have one) to see if fixes have been posted. If the error has not yet been reported I contact them ( either the designer or the publisher) and report the error so they can note the error & fix on their site. Sometimes I check the site for errors before even buying a pattern. Seems like a ( community service) to check & report errors-- even a tested pattern can wind up incorrect due to an editing error.

I found numerous errors and confusing directions in one paper piecing pattern and sent email to the designer via her web site. Never heard a thing back, and the errors I reported didn't show up on the web site, so I probably won't bother doing it again. It seems to me that few companies monitor the email they get from the address on their web site.

I Always read the pattern before starting and make a sample block from scraps to be sure things work the way I like.

I have saved a lot of heartache and money doing this.

I have called when confronted with pattern problems, even with those I just don't understand. Always very nice and helpful responses.
peace

I have a Bargello pattern that had some confusing instructions. There was an email address and the two ladies who created the pattern, in Australia, answered my question in just 24 hours. I actually thought there was an error in their instructions, but when they explained it to me, I had just done some sideways thinking.

I thought it was sweet to get such a good answer and so quickly. They invited me to ask more questions if anything wasn't clear to me.

The only other time I found mistakes in a pattern, those corrections were available at the website.

So all of my experiences have been good, along these lines.

Dina

A long time ago..when I first got bitten by this bug,I had bought a book and began cutting all the pieces....then I began putting a block together...one of the triangles just didn't fit...I checked, I had cut as directed...error in print..I called publisher...apologies, thanks for "finding" the error and proceeded to send me a book of my choice....good thing I had extra fabric to recut the errant piece correctly...two lessons learned: always do a sample block, and always get just a smidge more fabric....

I consider pattern more like "guidelines" and I sometimes color outside the lines. Whether it is something wrong with the pattern or the way I interpret the design, it is a challenge (but also fun) to work out the kinks.

Yes I have encountered many mistakes in patterns though the years. It has taught me to try and make one of each block required to make sure of the pattern before cutting all of the blocks out. Please don't ask about the pattern I cut hundreds of 2 1/2" blocks the wrong size. It aggravates me to no end. But, it was something I never forgot.

There was a recent pre-cut quilt I made that was 1 and 3/8 inches short for the middle blocks on a medallion quilt. No problem I just put them all together and added a 5/8" border around the blocks to compensate. Yes mam I sure did let her know the error. She was still selling the kits. By the way, she forgot to send enough of the cut triangles to make other blocks in the quilt top. She did mail them right off to me, but, come on. So, I vowed to never buy a pre-cut ever again. I have never bought one before this, so it won't kill me.

Back to patterns though... I love great quilt patterns and am really addicted to them. I have to admit, it is hardest to find the proper fabrics for the quilt than to find inspiration. I used to spend hours on the design and math to make a quilt. But, now I just check my pattern for errors and test a single block. Easy Peasy !!

Dense me--- reread and reread the directions, knew something was amiss, just wasn't jumpig out to me, wasn't until I went to cut. Bazinga!! The yardage requirements had the binding twice, should have been border and bindings. If it had been a snake it would have bit me.

I seldom pay attention to full directions. I read them all the way thru then do it my own way. For example, I prefer to make flying geese the no waste method, instead of the HST method. So, I use it as a guide but often change size, layout, ect.

I too have been sewing most of my life and learned from my mother, that layout directions in clothing patterns were just a 'suggestion'. She also always wanted to use the least amount of fabric possible. She could put together 4 patterns to get a dress with just the right sleeve, neckline, waist and skirt.

If it is a new technique, I really try to follow the directions the first time. And I have found errors or poorly written directions but have never contacted the pattern writer. What irritates me the most, is being shorted fabric in a kit. That happened once and I never heard back from the company, even tho they were still selling the kit on their website. Now if I buy a kit, I immediately open it and measure every piece of fabric.

I purchased a pattern from a LQS in which the instructions were incorrect but it was evident when cutting (and easy to catch) that she had Fabric C and Fabric D wrong. I did notify the owner of the LQS because it was her mother's pattern design. They sent me a new copy of the pattern after it had been corrected.

Yes I've found mistakes in patterns and have notified the designer not for my benefit but for others who purchase the pattern and can't put it right.

I found wrong cutting instructions and just make notes in the book. I have also found wrong measures, just a matter of adding. Most of the time I just make up my own patterns. Something fast and/or simple. Mostly making charity quilts now.

Most of you have ben expeienced - what about the newbies?

I bought a pattern out east when visiting my son who was assigned to a sub at Norfolk. That was 4 years ago. I finally made it this past winter. There was a mistake in the size of one of the blocks. I looked online for a correction as some pattern makers will post corrections if found. It wasn't there so trial and error I was able to make the block. Maybe would have been easier if I had a computer problem that designs blocks.

Many years ago in small country school districts home ec was still taught. The home ec teacher at my cousin's wife's school became quite sick and was out for almost 3 days. It was hard to get a substitute home ec teacher. Her mother did a lot of domestic sewing, home décor, wedding dresses for her girls, and was a good cook. She was also active in 4H. The school called her and asked if she would be able to help supervise the morning class. They couldn't use the word teach. Those kids got a lot out of those classes the short time she was there and most of the machines were treadle. It was the last time there were any "treadle challenged" students in that class.

I learned about that fact when I was young and first getting into crafts. I learned the fake it 'til you make it method for patterns I really liked. These days I use patterns as suggestions, so most pattern errors just don't bother me that much. I recently made a quilt for a GGS and the directions were gibberish, so I just winged it and it came out really cute! :-)

I used to do my own thing when I thought there was an error or found the instructions too confusing. But have lived and learned that it is better to take a deep breath and ask.... the benefit are great
The option to do my own thing does not go away and the benefit to fully understand a pattern that I paid for is a learning experience.

If I'm using a pattern from a magazine I always check online to see if they have any corrections for that issue. I do wish that designers would include the cutting instructions for ONE block -- some blocks are so complicated that it is difficult to figure out what is needed for just one block.

The quilting group I belong to decided in January to make a quilt as one of the more experience members had made from a supposedly original design (the quilt shop owner she had worked for). Pattern was gibberish and there was No pictures and the lady who made the original quilt was not usually in attendance - life got in the way. So they muddled through. I was not able to attend as I have been having many health issues so they showed me pictures or the actual quilt tops. Very pretty results for most but with all the problems they were not happy with them. And very upset that they each had to pay for the pattern which was not cheap.
One lady handed me here copy and asked if I could rewrite the pattern - I seem to be able to look at a block and figure it out - and this one is made from 2 1/2" strips so the measurements are a given. I want to make the quilt myself so will work them through but I'm sure I can do better.