Changing it Up for AQS Virginia Beach

Studio Kat Designs

So… it’s been five months since our last retail show which was in Paducah, KY, and you might remember from the Paducah show summary post that we had unveiled a brand new booth set up at that show and were relatively satisfied with it. So with that in mind, it would be logical to assume…

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PPC18: The Long Ones

Studio Kat Designs

So…. we’ve started a brand new edition of Purse Pattern Chronicles and since we’ve finished making our test samples and reasonably set on the design details for these little storage bags, it’s time to start planning and making our first complete set of true show samples! You might recall from 

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PPC18: the Last Two of Four

Studio Kat Designs

So… in our last post I showed you the first two little bags in what I intend to be a set of four, all with two separate zippered compartments! We showed you the long sample and the wide sample in out last post and this time we’ll be showing you the short and the tall sample! And…

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PPC18: the First Two of Four

Studio Kat Designs

So… in our last post I showed you the “gorilla sample” for this new design and told you what I liked and didn’t like about it. And the next sample I made was a WIDER version (see at left in blue), and here’s the deal. This sample was a total disappointment to me… well almost. I can generally…

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PPC18: The Prototype

Studio Kat Designs

So… in our last post I told you about the inspiration for our next design which can be used as a tech gear bag or even a cosmetic case. We also showed you the original sketches. And now… I’m ready to show you the very first prototype I made! But first… remember that this is a prototype…

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PPC18: Inspiration Strikes

Studio Kat Designs

So…. prior to revealing the original sketches for my next pattern, (which will actually be a “set of patterns”), I’d like to give you a little background information about where my inspiration for these new designs originated from. For the last few years I’ve been on a mission to find the perfect tech gear tote. Because…

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Eight Ways to Improve your Fussy-Cutting

Eight Ways to Improve your Fussy Cutting

So… ever since we posted the pictures of our NY Skylines bag sample, we’ve had a LOT of questions about how we go about laying out the pattern pieces for a bag like this. And the truth is… even though this is a question we’ve heard a LOT over the years, it’s probably one of the more…

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Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

Studio Kat Designs

So… a not-so-funny thing happened a few weeks back when I was oh-so-close to being finished with the Sling Along pattern. I was clipping along on a Saturday afternoon, when all of a sudden the thread guide on my sewing machine just…. fell off.  No problem, right? Well it shouldn’t have been anyway. After all,…

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15 Years of StudioKat Designs: 3 Things I’m Proud About

Studio Kat Designs

So… in a recent post I told you that 2018 will be our 15th year in business as an independent pattern designer and purveyor of custom zippers & hardware and since I’m grateful to be a entering this big anniversary year as a small business owner, I’ve created a three-part series about the 15-things I’ve…

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15 Years of StudioKat Designs: NINE Things I’ve Learned

Studio Kat Designs

So… I’m not normally a person who takes time to stop and appreciate accomplishments, whether they’re large or small, so for the past 14 years I’ve celebrated the birthday of StudioKat Designs with only nominal recognition, (“Oh, that’s right, it’s today!”), and then just plowed ahead to the next task rarely taking a moment to…

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