| Let's say you've been creating your craft designs | | | | cardstock. So this way you can have them to |
| and selling them either online or off. Now your | | | | trace onto paper again for the pattern. If you |
| interested in creating patterns of your designs | | | | have shapes like circles or need straight lines, use |
| and becoming a WAHM to start your own pattern | | | | a small glass, plate and a ruler. Trace your |
| business. What is the first step you need to take | | | | templates out on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Make sure |
| to make that happen you ask? Well, first of all | | | | your drawings are accurate in size and don't |
| you need to understand the make up of a | | | | resemble being drawn by a 3 year old. There's |
| pattern. | | | | nothing worse than for a customer to get what |
| The following are the basic components of | | | | they think is going to be a great pattern only to |
| creating a pattern: | | | | find the templates distorted or drawn poorly. |
| Front Cover | | | | Back Cover: The back cover is the best place for |
| Supply List | | | | the supply list and any additional information like |
| Instructions | | | | size of the finished item you think the customer |
| Templates | | | | needs to know. As well as your contact |
| Back Cover | | | | information and website address. |
| Front Cover: This is where your banner, logo, | | | | Some of the other supplies you'll need to send |
| website address, and picture of the design will go. | | | | patterns through the mail is 6 x 9 pattern bags |
| Supply List: Using MS Word or Works, you'll need | | | | and 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 manila envelopes. |
| to type a list of all the required supplies for | | | | Once you've finished all these steps your ready to |
| making your design. Be sure and include brand | | | | scan your templates and save them on your |
| names if you used them. Also the supply list can | | | | computer or you can take the original templates |
| go on the back cover and this makes it easy for | | | | to a copier and make copies. If your wanting to |
| the customer to see what is required without | | | | offer your patterns as e-patterns you'll need to |
| taking the pattern out of the bag. | | | | learn how to put all the elements of your patterns |
| Instructions: The best way to create instructions | | | | into a PDF. There are many tutorials that can be |
| is to take notes while your making the item. Type | | | | found online for this process or you can hire |
| them out using MS Word or Works. Be as detailed | | | | someone to do them for you. PDF's are opened |
| as possible without writing War and Peace. Also | | | | and read by Acrobat Adobe. E-patterns are a |
| remember to write your instructions as if your | | | | wonderful way to offer your online customers a |
| instructing a beginner. When your finished it's very | | | | fast and easy way for your customers to |
| important to proof read and use spell check. | | | | purchase your patterns and get them via e-mail. |
| Templates: When you make your creation you | | | | Good luck in all your pattern endeavors and keep |
| should make sure you trace out templates on | | | | on crafting and designing. |