PPC35: Help Us Choose the AeroSling Cover Model
So…. we’re almost ready to publish another pattern! But before we can do that, we need to choose the ONE sample that will best represent our new AeroSling design & become the “cover model” for the pattern! To do this, I like thinking about which of our samples would most appeal to our customers… which one would cause folks to stop mid-scroll to give this design a 2nd look!
But here’s the thing… before I decide, I’d LOVE to have YOUR input!
I REALLY love hearing which bag YOU would choose to be on the cover if you were ME. Do you think it might be because pattern designing is such a solitary business and therefore I like need the interaction? Could be….who knows? At any rate, I get a kick out of learning which would be YOUR choice and also hearing the reasons you feel that way!
So with that, here’s the SEVEN choices to consider for our AeroSling Cover Model.
(to see more pictures of each sample, just click on the link provided.)
So... Having seen all of the AeroSling options, here’s the criteria I would LOVE for you to consider as you make YOUR choice!
1. Consider MORE than just your personal favorite. Of course the sample you choose should be appealing to YOU, but always consider how much “universal appeal” a bag has. Would MOST people find it appealing?
2. Will it turn heads? Ideally, a cover sample should “stand out in a crowd”! By definition it’s a show bag. It’s not meant to be neutral, to fade into the background or to look good with virtually every outfit we might wear!
3. Do the fabrics used draw attention to the design’s key features? Some prints are so “busy” that the bag features seem to disappear because all you can see is the PRINT! I strive for interesting fabric, that’s for sure, but I also want the design elements to shine thru unimpeded, regardless of the fabrics I’ve chosen. Sometimes contrast fabrics or unique zippers can aid in this. 🙂
4. Does the sample include ALL the design features promised in the verbiage on the cover? Because here’s the thing… the model that’s chosen for the cover will be the model that will MOST be associated with this design… it’ll be the “spokesmodel” so to speak. But if it’s missing an expected exterior pocket (for example), then every single person who picks up that sample at stores or shows will want to know why it doesn’t, or worse still, they’ll think they’ve actually been misled about what features are included in the pattern!.
5. Is it photogenic? Sometimes, for reasons that I’ll never understand, (probably because of MY photography skills, or more accurately the lack thereof), certain samples just don’t photograph well. No matter the lighting…. no matter the background….no matter… what… I…. DO! But here’s the deal, no matter how pretty and ideal it is in person, if it doesn’t photograph well, or if I cannot seem to get a decent photograph of it, then it’s just NOT a good candidate for our cover! It can still be a fantastic “show bag”, but it just won’t be the best “cover model”.
6. Does it actually LOOK like “our brand”? Our goal is for our customers to be able to identify a pattern as belonging to our line without even seeing the title or our logo on the front of the pattern cover. We would be doing ourselves no favors for example, if we suddenly departed from the “formula” that’s worked for us for 20+ years and placed a model on the cover that just doesn’t look like something we would put forward!
7. Is it created with a special pieced exterior? As most of you know by now, I LOVE piecing my way to a unique exterior, but I’ve learned from bitter experience and quite a few scoldings from irritated customers (reference the Lollapalooza) that placing a model with such an exterior on our pattern cover is generally NOT a good idea. BUT– if there are actual pattern pieces for this special exterior, and those pieces can be included in the pattern package itself (reference the Uptown Saddlebag or the HipBag Hybrid, then it CAN in fact be placed on the front cover.
So…there you have it! Are you ready to have a little FUN because I’m so looking forward to hearing your responses!? But don’t forget—I would also enjoy hearing the reasoning behind your choice. 
And do stay tuned for the next post in this cycle of Purse Pattern Chronicles to see how closely your choice mirrored ours when I reveal which model really will be on the cover of our new pattern. I’m SO looking forward to seeing your comments! (You probably don’t know this, but this is one of my two most favorite posts of the whole year!)
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I think Dragonfly Dance has what you’re looking for. The print is bold and colorful—it’s kinda your thing plus it has a lot of pop!
I loved that fabric from the moment I saw it. (No surprise there, right)? 🙂
Love the Tucson but can’t see all of the designs details. It’s cool how the zippers disappear BUT for the purpose of selling and eye catching it’s the Dragonfly. You can see all the design features, and it still catches the eye.
I choose A Wavy Dimension because it is so eye catching!
I also especially like A Peach Flowerbed and DragonFly Dance.
All three are appealing and would deserve a second (or third) glance. In addition, they all show the design features quite well.
Plum Affinity fabric shows all the detail and grabs your attention right away. My second choice is Dragonfly Dance.
I choose A Wavy Dimension ! Love the movement and the muted colors!
I also choose Wavy Dimension though I love dragonfly dance and several others. Wavy Dimension is unique, eye catching, colorful, and shows off the design very well. It’s the one that ‘intrigued’ me the most.
I think it should be one with a water bottle in it. I like the 2 that have it for different reasons, so do you have more dark or light cover models. I’d go whichever way you need more of as both are winners.
Mama Jay here! I choose Dragon Fly or the wavy one. I like how they are fussy cut but you still see how the design “reads” across the front panel.
I have to go with Plum Affinity – just a super cohesive look
I love “Purple Affinity” because I am a purple girl. The striped zipper has a nice effect. I like the colors because they are not bold and the sling could go with any color outfit.
I love Back to Tuscon, simply because I love a Southwestern theme!! I think they are all so pretty that any one of them could be your cover!! I think my next choice would be Wavy Dimension because it is so different!
Plum Affinity is my favorite. It meets your criteria and it has elegance that I find extremely appealing.
Back to Tucson! I like patterns that aren’t too busy, and I love this one!
Dragon Fly, Plum, and Wavy are the three that show the shoulder straps. Wavy’s print makes the bag look lop sided. My personal preference would be Sun and Moon. But Dragon Fly shows the details as well as the whimsy of enjoying the bag, so that’s the one I would choose.
Sun and Moon because the zippers add to design, and I think the zippers don’t add to the design in the other choices.
I would put Wavy Dimension on the cover. Love the fabric and yet you can see the features of the pattern..
I would choose A Wavy Dimension. The fabric is truly eye catching and shows off the features well.
The Sun and Moon would be best. I think it clearly shows all components, pockets, zippers etc. That said I love anything with Dragonflies!
Dragonfly Dance because it is colorful, shows the zipper that can be used as backpack or over the shoulder. Looks like fun!
To be fair, I like them ALL, but Plum Affinity shows clearly the zipper pockets, the water bottle pocket, and the convertible strap to make it a backpack–which, by the way, was the feature I wanted to check most. The fabric coloring clearly contrasts with the zippers so everything is very visible.
Plum Affinity clearly shows the wonderful convertible back strap, and the oh so necessary water bottle holder. The zippers are beautifully highlighted too.
I thought the peach flower bed showed off the structure of the bag without screaming zippers!
The color pleasing, and not upsetting by the zippers.
I think the Plum Affinity will appeal to a wider range of people.
Plum Affinity. Definitely looks like your product. I personally would have the zippers stand out like that but for a cover it’s a must.
2nd choice is I dream in color.
I’m going to have to get this pattern. I’ve been trying to find a sling bag large enough to handle an iPad 13. Think this would work?
I immediately zeroed in on A Wavy Dimension. Despite not being a pink fan, the design sold me after looking a whole fabric. You could pick the colors you like the most.
Also I Dream in Color was a strong favorite, since it’s darker and will wear better.
Good luck and cannot wait to seeits choice for cover.
Dragon Fly hands down
Plum Affinity is my selection…
The Wavy Dimension is very nice. I also like Back to Tucson. Both are great representation of the pattern, colors and special features.
Plum Affinity checks all the boxes. It is the print that will appeal to the larger group of sewists. It exhibits fancy zippers without overwhelming the print. I like that it shows a water bottle in the pocket to gauge that it looks secure in that depth.
The Plum Affinity is my choice as I like the colors. The zippered pouches and water bottle holder stand out IMHO. 🙂
They’re all beautiful & it’s hard to choose, however I was drawn to Sun & Moon with Purple Affinity a close second.
Sun & Moon is very unique & eye catching. I liked how the zipper is there & obvious, but ties in nicely. There is an element of class to this bag.
For your cover Plum Affinity is the eye catcher it has all the bells and whistles, but for myself I would make the Back to Tucson. It is just my personnel preference.
Thank you SO much for all of these lovely comments. I’ve really enjoyed these as well as others that have come in on FaceBook, Instagram and by email! Today I’m taking all of my materials for the AeroSling to our printer, so do stay tuned for a big announcement soon when we finally release it!
🙂