Pattern Workshop - Using Inkscape and a Bit About Open Source

This post contains affiliate links, but ALL opinions - however nerdy - are mine and I am writing this of my own volition.  Also this post contains a bunch of poorly lit iPhone pics.  You've been warned.  


A little over a year ago I entered Lauren's Pattern Workshop course with the intention of seeing if her methods would work using Inkscape vs the Adobe Creative Cloud products used in her class.  It is well known that there are several successful PDF pattern designers that use or have used Inkscape, but I was curious about the tips and tricks Lauren mentions in the course and whether or not they would translate.  Fast forward, and although I am just now finishing this post I can say with confidence that almost everything taught in Creating PDF Patterns from Sketch to Sale is doable without Illustrator and the course is absolutely worth taking if you are considering digital pattern drafting.  Don't worry..... I'll get to that "almost" in just a minute.

Just Add Detail

After my first Ziggy Top earlier this year, I fell in love with the pattern so I couldn't say no when I was asked to participate in the Just Add Detail competition run by Madeit Patterns.

Monthly MashUp (03/15) - Guest Post

Stephanie is revealing her Aviator Pants and Aztec Hooded Vest MashUp on Swoodson Says today!  You'll definitely want to see more of her cute boy in his jumpsuit, but first, have you entered the Monthly MashUp giveaway or joined the Facebook group yet?  Ok, now you can jump over to see more of this cozy look:

Monthly MashUp (03/15) - Aztec Aviator Reveal

For March's Monthly MashUp, Stephanie and I decided to mash together the Aztec Hooded Vest from See Kate Sew and the Aviator Pants from Winter Wear Designs.  Jumpsuits and rompers are all the rage so it seemed like the perfect time to take two great patterns and follow the trend.

Monthly MashUp (03/15) Aztec Aviator

Another month has quickly come and gone and March's Monthly MashUp is here!  My friend Stephanie from Swoodson Says is this month's guest and I was excited to see what she'd suggest for patterns since she sews so many boy patterns for her son.  She chose two great patterns which I'll reveal later in this post (along with the pattern giveaway!), but first an introduction.

SSW and a New Tote Bag

I'm over at Imagine Gnats today with the results of my first (gasp!) Noodlehead bag pattern.



Selfish Sewing Week is in full swing and I've been doing the requisite hour of sewing a day just for myself, have you?  Click over to see the rest of this fun bag!

A New Giveaway for March!

I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus, but don't worry there's been lots of fun stuff going on behind the scenes!  I'll be able to share everything with you soon, but today I once again teamed up with several other great sewing bloggers to bring you a sewing themed giveaway! We've got a great prize package again this month, and you don't want to miss out!!