My thoughts were voiced by hopetoquilt's response so will not repeat. Also like ThreadLady, copyright infringements, techinal writing, photographs, layout, actual printing, marketing is the most important when publishing--no matter what the subject. Get a pro to help you with that, which also is a protection to you of being sued.

While it is easy for me to visualize, I know many who just do not get it without illustrations. Make sure your photography is taken with a high-end camera and is edited properly for publication.

Remember seeing step procedures and finished product pictures will sell a magazine or booklet.

I personally like lots of pictures. I am also initially grabbed by the cover. Can't wait to hear more on this one.

A friend got her pattern published in a magazine simply by emailing a photo to every single quilting magazine out there, and having her pattern also finished.

If you check out the websites of quilt book publishers you'll find a guide for submitting ideas. It's a good exercise in thinking through the whys and wherefores and the practicality of your ideas.

Jan

I very receintly purchased a pattern that , I thought was quite spendy for the item. It was a huge disappointment.
I purchase patterns for
1. THE VISUAL guidance. Not just words.
2 Step by step quidance with pictures, showing me what it should look like at each step .. so I do not go on tothe next step with a major problem or error.
3. Accurate yardage requirements and cutting . I once had a pattern that for colors it just said "lots" ... those that have a huge fudge factor .. really make me mad ... as I end up with lots of $$$ in the scrap bin that did not need to be. I once had a pattern that almost 30 percent of the yardage was "over" what I really needed ..
4. Show more than one color way of the completed project.. this give the insipration and helps with the visual .
5. Print the pattern in Color!! those shades of gray to indicate color changes are not very helpful.
6. Yardage and layouts for more than one size.

I purchase very few patterns from a download. Having been dissapointed in a few of my purchases , I have learned now to open the pattern and read it before I buy.

It is helpful if it is a paper pieced pattern to have the abiliy to purchase the pattern papers on line in a single unit down load. There are those times when you buy a PP pattern .. and because of problem you need just one or two more printed papers.

I'll bookmark this...I may be interested as well.....

Amazingly good info, thank you. You brought up alot of good points. I love all this input.

I absolutely LOVE designing quilt patterns and seeing the end result. I recently designed and illustrated a pattern for our Church group and the ladies were able to follow both the written instructions as well as the illustrations as they all use different methods to follow patterns.

I'm a "pattern-junkie" and love, love, love books that are colorful, have both photo and illustrated instructions. I also like having a little bit of history of the projects that the author shares, it makes the project a little more personal. I, too, am disappointed when I receive a pattern in the mail and find I've received a photocopy. Quality is important to me. I also download patterns from the internet. I store them both on my computer and have a collection of 3-ring binders of my favorite projects as well as those "I'm-going-to-make-it-this-year" patterns. :)

I work on several projects at a time, as to not tire of one method or the other, and most times, while I'm working on a project, I get an idea for an additional pattern, and the drawing board comes out again. I would love to put a collection of my quilts I've designed together and get it published.

This thread will really help with my desires to "stitch" out my future goals. :)

I love new techniques!! I don't like photocopies at all. I like lots of colored pictures and lots of text. I love patterns to go with the technique. If you had just these, I would buy your book, be it from a big company or little company. I have just patterns too but I love books with lots of patterns. Now I'm curious about your new technique!!! If and when you publish, I want to know about it. New techniques are so helpful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful topic. Great questions. I am in on following this and tomorrow I just may respond at length. I make my own patterns all the time and figure all my piece sizes and yardage requirements before I start. Very anal - lol. When folks on here are looking to purchase, say - a basketweave pattern, I want to send them graph paper and a few words of advice. It's not rocket science! I have attempted to sell a couple of original patterns here. I've had some buyers, but posts disappear so quickly that I think of it as practice in pattern production. NOT a get-rich-quick scheme. My biggest issue with that approach is that suddenly I have people telling me it is not original because a block I have incorporated was published in 1932 or whatever. It is disheartening when I know it came out of my head - and I don't think they were publishing table runner patterns in 1932! Enough for tonight!