I’m new to blogging – forgive me if this first try isn’t exactly what is expected.
I can’t believe that I’ve never downloaded a pattern before. I’ve always stopped myself by thinking that I had no idea what to do with it once it was on my computer and the fact that I couldn’t imagine working with a pattern made out of typing paper. So the 1912 project has motivated me to figure this out.
Receiving the pattern in my Outlook Inbox was thrilling and totally frustrating at the same time. I printed out 24 pages of pattern even though I knew it was labeled for a 36 inch bust and I knew that was too small for me. I hoped I could just add a bit to the side seams and avoid the whole “resizing” and “redrafting” process for now. I was just SO ANXIOUS to get started!!!
I went to my dining room table to put it together. About 30 minutes later, I had it all taped together using the guides in the corners of the pages, and had decided I would trace it onto tissue paper before cutting out a muslin. THEN, I came across the little “test grid” which I vaguely remembered seeing before I had printed, which was supposed to measure 6” across. It measured 5 3/8”. So, the pattern was WAAAY too small to do me any good!
Plan B: Go to computer and investigate PatternMaker software. I downloaded the free trial. I watched some tutorial videos and printed out some directions posted by Kim.
I tried to load the pattern into Pattern Maker and it didn’t work. After some quick emailing with Kim and Janyce, I finally got the pattern to load – and now I finally have the same familiar pattern pieces I’ve been cutting and pasting on my dining room table on my screen!!! Major victory – time for bed.
Next morning: I can’t sleep, because I’m so excited to play with Pattern Maker and finally get my pattern ready to sew. I’m at the computer before dawn, and open Pattern Maker even before I check my email. I review the tutorial, make notes on how to “scale” a pattern, and look for the “scale” icon. There isn’t one. I reread the directions, and finally decide that I don’t have the same version described in the tutorial. I reread the post from Kim and decide I need a password from the company. I write an email to the company, and reluctantly address some overdue household chores and papers that needed to be graded last night while I was avoiding my real life responsibilities and playing with the pattern.
I check my email obsessively as I’m doing other things….and finally, an email from Pattern Maker containing only a question: “Are you interested in trying out the Deluxe Editor, or did you want to do some drafting (Professional Studio) while you’re at it? “ AAARGH – yet another delay!!! I write back immediately, and two hours later, I get the serial number and installation directions.
I input the information, and get stuck AGAIN!! Now I need to send back a code and wait for another code which will presumably unlock the program for the free trial.
I don’t know yet whether this will prove quicker than just waiting for the paper pattern to arrive in the mail, but I keep telling myself this is a valuable learning curve. It will be great to download patterns from online sites and invaluable as the 1912 patterns get more complex (I’m pretty sure they are breaking us in easy with a simple blouse for some groups and a simple skirt for others….and I’m betting the second round of patterns reverses that and sends me a simple skirt.) Thank goodness I’m not battling this learning curve with an elaborate “reception gown” pattern.
But, oh, the anticipation!!!!