Here is the tip:
When writing pattern instructions, try not to write it referring to the specific colors that were used in your own block or quilt. Instead, refer to objects, sizes, shapes or locations.
I will give examples of why that is important. Recently, Karen of Tu-Na Quilts, Eats and Travels had members of our International Stash Bee make a cute poodle block for her. Here is the block she chose for us to make . . . sooo cute!
She requested either a black poodle with a white background or a white poodle with a black background. The instructions on the original tutorial (which is found at The Objects of Design) made a turquoise poodle. Now, these instructions are great (and her design is WONDERFUL) if you are making a colored poodle similar to the one below like the designer made.
The instructions telling how much fabric to buy talk about light and dark fabric when referring to the poodle. This can get confusing if you are planning on making a white poodle or a black poodle. Or even a pink poodle with black poofs.
I will repeat my tip: Refer to objects, sizes or locations rather than specific colors or patterns. For this pattern, it would be more helpful to say "buy X yards for the body (instead of light fabric), buy Y for the ears and poofs (instead of dark fabric), buy Z for the background (that was already generic enough)." And when you are talking about which pieces to sew together, it's much easier to understand sew 1 1/4" background piece to four corners of a leg poof piece than it is sew the background fabric to the dark fabric (when the leg poofs you are using might be white).
Big shout out to Karen at Tu-Na Quilts for realizing this would be confusing and creating a set of labels for those of us making poodles for her. Her labels were perfect! "Eye", "Ear", "Top of Head" , and seriously, even if the instructions mentioned the exact same colors of fabric I was sewing with, I would have still have used her labels.
Here is my version of this cute poodle block. I probably should have pressed it before I took the picture!
If it is too difficult to name the pieces by type of object, size or location, at the very minimum use lettering or numbering to identify parts and label them on a pattern line drawing.
So that is my 2 cents on writing patterns. Hope that all makes sense! I know that is only one small part of pattern writing, but every little thing you can do to make your directions clear and easily translatable to other fabrics is a plus!
Now go out there and design something awesome for those of us who can't design to save our lives! (or maybe can, but have no desire)
Now someone give me one please. I haven't sewn anything for a week and probably won't be able to for at least another week while we're packing up and preparing to move into a 5th wheel. I would LOVE to know what your favorite inspiring quote is when you're feeling a little out of sorts.
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