So… in our last post we had a little fun letting YOU be the designer and choosing which of our bag samples YOU would choose to grace the pattern cover for our 1st new pattern of 2025, the Carolinian. Thanks SO much to everyone who voiced their opinion! Pattern design can be rather solitary work and I REALLY like hearing the logic behind which bag my customers would choose for the cover.
And here’s the deal, the best part about this cycle was that SO many of you ALSO included your reasons why you chose the cover sample that you did. I LOVE that! Your opinions were invaluable and I really was able to take them into account this time! THANK YOU!
On the QT – 10/9/24
This was the first real sample that I created for this design,
and while I was pretty satisfied with the exterior,
I wasnt happy with the interior at all.
I used one of my translucent zippers, which is probably
the LEAST flexible of ALL for the main entry area,
and in order to make it lay down flat, I had to commit
the cardinal of snipping into the zipper tape!
So need I say more? For this reason, this sample is OUT!
Owls in Disguise – 10/17/24
First off- I loved this fabric and I think it paired well with the light blue contrast. This was the 1st sample that actually included a detailed interior, but I was still struggling with the length of the entry Zipper Panel. My first thought was to make it small enough to not interfere with the extended strap bands, but as it turned out, this option left too much open space on either end for the bag contents to “escape”, which means that it was OUT!
It’s Fall Y’all – 1/3/25
I REALLY enjoyed making this sample, probably because it was a big departure from my usual fabric choices! I was more satisified, (but not totally), with the entry zipper panel area. I strongly considered it for the cover, but as it turned out, the thing that eliminated it, was actually the fabric choice. But while I liked the exterior fabric, I just didn’t think it to be vibrant enough for a cover model, so… it was OUT!
In the Wind – 1/10/25
So… I was very taken with this unusual print… but… was HORRIFIED when I discovered that I placed all of the little wind tornadoes going from west to east, or vice versa! This just wasn’t what I initially visualized, so for that reason, So I was very taken with this unusual print… but… was HORRIFIED when I discovered that I placed all of the little wind tornadoes
going from west to east, or vice versa! This just wasn’t what I initially visualized, so for that reason, it was OUT as a possibility for the cover model!
Dragonfly Dream – 2/6/25
And this sample… besides being absolutely, and designingly “perfect”, I am totally and completely in love with this fabric and what it does for this sample! And you know what? I seriously thought about putting BOTH it, and another similarly awesome sample on the cover, but instead, I begrudgingly told myself that this sample was out!
Frond Abstract – 2/11/25
And for this sample… I used a VERY LARGE panel print from Frond Design Studios that I’ve had for a very long time, but honestly thought would never be suitable to be used in one of my bag samples.
WAS I EVER WRONG?!?!?!
But as much as I loved this sample, I just couldn’t believe that it would be as universally accepted as it would need to be, in order to be a successful cover model!
So… if you haven’t already guessed, (by process of elimination), it’s with great pleasure
that I now reveal the official pattern cover for the “Carolinian” pattern!
I was drawn immediately to this print! But here’s the deal… I also loved the DragonFly Dream fabric… as much or maybe even MORE perhaps than this print, but I have always tried to use a light background print, as opposed to something dark. I feel like the darker, DargonFly Dream sample will be the bigger “hit” at shows, but the DragonFly Illusion prints (which we have chosen for our cover) will create more of a buzz online!
Which is kinda what we’re after longterm, right?!?
So did we make the perfect choice?.
Truth is, only time will tell! The Carolinian pattern has been very well received so far, and even though I easily could have gone with a couple other choices for our cover model, I know from experience that had I chose another it probably wouldn’t make a bit of difference “sales-wise”. I feel good about this choice. I especially feel good that it was validated by SO MANY of you either by commenting on the post, or on social media or even by email! THANK YOU for all of your feedback!
So… all that’s left now, is to RELEASE THE PATTERN!
But PLEASE NOTE!!!! — Just as we did in our HighSeas Convertible rollout last Fall, we’ll be announcing the Carolinian pattern release sometime during the 1st week of March by way of a special edition of our bi-monthly newsletter, Bag Making is FUN. As is our norm, it will include a time-sensitive discount code toward the purchase of the Carolinian pattern, so don’t miss out! If you don’t already receive our newsletter in your Inbox bi-monthly, you still have a small window of time to sign up & get in on the fun, PLUS pick up our newsletter discount coupon also, by clicking HERE.
And now it’s YOUR turn!
Call me crazy but I always love knowing if you agree with our selection or if you think we totally blew it! So please feel free to leave your comments and/or questions in the space provided below! Don’t worry. We won’t be mad if you disagree with us! 🙂
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This is a beautiful choice for your cover model. I had originally picked “It’s Fall Y’all” as my choice because it is so different, yet still very attractive. However, I can see how it is not as vibrant as the dragonfly fabric. Good job choosing, as always!
That’s the one I voted for, so of course it was the CORRECT choice, LOL!