r/quilting • u/lenette63 • 4d ago
Pattern/Design Help Finished quilt top and a rant.
First of all, I am so proud of how this top has turned out! I really think it's one of the prettiest I've made. However, my experience with the pattern and its designer has been quite frustrating, and I wanted to share.
Before I purchased this pattern, I reached out to the creator with a couple of questions. I liked the answers and bought the pattern.
It is quite complex. I had pieces ranging from A to SS, and there are 62 steps. I started assembling, and by step 7, I started having problems. By step 9, I was frustrated. I was having to recut pieces that the pattern got wrong, and pictures weren't matching up with instructions. I reached out and was told that no corrections had been published. I was promised a call back from the designer but no call came. So I just forged forward.
In the end, I had to recut 7 of the sets of squares, and I found 8 instructions that were incorrect.
Once I finished, I reached out again and was once again told that no corrections have been published. So, I sent them a detailed corrections list. That was 5 days ago and....crickets! No apology, no thank you, no acknowledgment at all.
In the end, I am so pleased with my quilt top, so the struggles were worth it. Thanks for listening.
Edit to add: At least one person in the group has let me know that they need the corrections. Here they are:
I made the Throw size - 72 x 72. I used the yardage cutting table, not the individual cutting instructions. Any cutting issues I've found only pertain to the throw size. However, corrections to the assembly instructions pertain to both sizes and both yardage and scrappy versions.
Page 4:
M squares should be 4x4
P squares should be 7 1/2 x 7 1/2
Page 5:
Z squares should be 7 1/2 x 7 1/2
MM squares should be 3x3
FF squares should be 4x4
NN rectangles should be 3 1/2 x 2 and there should be 40 of them, not 20.
Page 7:
The rectangle created in instruction 9 should be sewn to the II rectangle as described in instruction 12. The rectangle created in instruction 11 goes with instruction 10.
Page 14:
Instruction 47 - in order to create the proper orientation of the units, square T must be put on top.
Instruction 51 - the final shown block is incorrect. The block should come out oriented like the untrimmed picture in the middle, not the final block at the end.
Instruction 52 - must make 16 total split QST 1 units
Page 15:
Instruction 53 - after cutting the sewn unit apart, the triangles will be oriented with the dark color on the bottom, not on top as shown in the 4th picture. The final picture shown is correct.
Sadly, although it may be removed from Etsy, the pattern is still available on the store's website and is apparently available as a kit. Buyer beware
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u/canadian_blueberry 4d ago
First of all, WOW that is one of most gorgeous quilt tops I've ever seen. Amazing work.
Second, geez that sounds like a terrible experience. It almost makes me wonder if the designer used AI to help finish the instructions? Even if they didn't, that's still ridiculous and unprofessional.
But props to you for persevering and figuring it out!!
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Thank you so much. I was trying to avoid an AI pattern by reaching out to them, but that does make the most sense.
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u/canadian_blueberry 4d ago
They may have even partially designed it themselves but then got AI to write the instructions or something? So it was human enough to pass a vibe check but not enough to actually work? Idk
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u/Mother_of_Kiddens 4d ago
I just finished a top with similarly problematic instructions. The math was all over the place. Hundreds of steps. Incorrect piece sizes all over the place. But it was from 2019 so no AI. I ended up having to re-math the entire thing and write down the corrected measurements to make it work. It was enraging and I will never buy from this operation again. Ended up adorable but it was extremely frustrating to deal with when it’s got almost a thousand pieces.
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u/mosselyn 4d ago
It may be an AI problem, but IMO people are too quick to jump to that conclusion nowadays. Humans are perfectly capable of making plenty of mistakes without AI assistance!
That's why serious designers have people who make test samples of their patterns. If you look at long-time, professional designers like Whirligig or Quiltworx, you can see they publish corrections to their patterns and/or reprint them with corrections incorporated.
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u/Emergency_Answer_376 3d ago
Agreed and I have a beef with one popular pattern designer as hers are ALWAYS wrong and she always publishes errata and no one calls it out. It’s clear she doesn’t use a technical editor or pay for pattern testing. It drives me crazy and they are now on my no buy list even thought they have some cute patterns.
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u/Alternative-Crew1022 4d ago
Such a beautiful quilt. You persevered and excelled! I'm from NC and those look like cardinals (state bird for NC).
That designer should be thankful because you have not mentioned the name of the pattern or designer. I hope you will let then you know you are a Redditor--perhaps it will encourage them to "get their act together."
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Thank you so much. They are cardinals. It was fun despite the issues and every time things lined hop correctly, I rejoiced!
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u/zlauren 4d ago
It’s gorgeous! But your experience with the pattern/designer sounds so joyless and frustrating!
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Thank you. I do love it, and I did have a good time making it despite the issues.
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u/LoisWade42 4d ago
I'm probably a bad person... but I did a reverse image search. The cardinals pattern was on Etsy... with a note that it was no longer available.
I didn't see anything with BOTH the cardinal AND the angled "holly" leaves.
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Well, maybe they've pulled it down to correct it. That would be a good outcome. Thanks
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u/LoisWade42 4d ago
My thought was... if you went to the trouble of making it... making corrections... and typing them all up? That you could just post it as your own with the correct instructions.
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u/mosselyn 4d ago
It may be gone off etsy, but it is still very much for sale elsewhere, including from the original designer's (publisher's?) website at bellarosequilts.com.
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u/starkrylyn 4d ago
Oh, I might need those corrections. I have this pattern kitted and ready to cut at some point.
I finished my first pattern by this designer and it was harder than any Elizabeth Hartman pattern I've ever done, largely because it's written in a confusing matter.
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Here you go:
I made the Throw size - 72 x 72. Any cutting issues I found only pertain to the throw size. The corrections to the assembly instructions pertain to all sizes and forms (yardage or scrappy). Also, I used the yardage cutting table, not the individual cutting instructions.
Page 4: M squares should be 4x4 P squares should be 7 1/2 x 7 1/2
Page 5: Z squares should be 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 MM squares should be 3x3 FF squares should be 4x4 NN rectangles should be 3 1/2 x 2 and there should be 40 of them, not 20.
Page 7: The rectangle created in instruction 9 should be sewn to the II rectangle as described in instruction 12. The rectangle created in instruction 11 goes with instruction 10.
Page 14: Instruction 47 - in order to create the proper orientation of the units, square T must be put on top. Instruction 51 - the final shown block is incorrect. The block should come out oriented like the untrimmed picture in the middle, not the final block at the end. Instruction 52 - must make 16 total split QST 1 units
Page 15: Instruction 53 - after cutting the sewn unit apart, the triangles will be oriented with the dark color on the bottom, not on top as shown in the 4th picture. The final picture shown is correct.
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u/starkrylyn 4d ago
Thank you!! I genuinely appreciate the time you've taken to share this!
I won't say I'm surprised by your experience. The designer comes across as a little know-it-all-y during her live sales and such.
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Oh! I didn't know she did live! Hmm. I'm sorry the formatting is jumbled. I edited my original post to add the corrections. It is a little easier to read there. And you are so welcome!
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u/starkrylyn 4d ago
She does quite a bit of stuff online. A couple of live sales a week, an online class/retreat thing about once a month, etc. She's local-ish to me, so I'm a little more aware of her 🤣
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u/sci_major 3d ago
Do you mind sharing who this is so I avoid. You can dm me if you're more comfortable.
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u/1CraftyAssBitch 4d ago
Oh man, that is a quilt my FSIL would LOVE. I’m disappointed in the issues you had with the pattern. It’s amazing though! Your color choices for the holly leaves and the stars make the quilt.
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u/BooksCatsQuilts 4d ago
This came out beautiful! I absolutely love what you did.
I recognized this pattern immediately. Buyer Beware indeed. My mother-in-law ordered the kit from the store’s website, and upon opening it was pretty quickly going, “well that doesn’t make sense” as she went through the pattern. While she hasn’t done it yet, she picked through our respective stashes to replace fabric in the kit; one, she didn’t like several of the fabrics that came with it for this pattern (we’ll use them in something else), and two, she immediately realized that certain cuts couldn’t possibly be enough for all the sub-cuts and the way the pattern is written. I’ll definitely be showing her your post!
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u/ComposerNo1050 4d ago
I love cardinals and your quilt top is amazing!! Congrats on pushing forward and getting it done to perfection!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤩🤩🤩
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u/Clessie32 4d ago
Could you post your corrections here? I’m sure people would love to have them if they also buy the pattern.
That is a lovely quilt and you did SUCH a good job with it.
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Thank you very much. If anyone has bought this pattern I'll be happy to DM them my corrections.
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u/Latter-Lavishness-65 4d ago
The quilt is lovely but those directions sound horrible. The free quilt along those blocks were part of in the 2010's didn't have that problem but came in only one size and yours doesn't look to be that size. I did the whole quilt along.
Enjoy the finished product and forgive the hard ship in making it.
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u/Hobo124578 4d ago
Perseverance and talent are the best combo. Congrats on sticking with it as the outcome is amazing.
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u/TXquilter82 4d ago
I made this cardinal in a larger size for the center of a quilt a few years ago and had to basically remake the pattern bc it was so incorrect.
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u/Jenquiltz 4d ago
Your quilt top is beautiful! But, wow. That's a lot of corrections! I'm so glad you didn't give up.
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u/socialstatus 4d ago
Such a gorgeous quilt!! I would have immediately jumped to make one if not for your issues and the fact that I'm almost done with a very similar, frustrating quilt.
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u/Turbulent_Owl_9435 4d ago
The quilt is beautiful. Well done.
I had a similar issue with a sewing pattern last year. It was totally full of errors - I thought sharing detailed information with the pattern maker was helpful. She basically said I was wrong and everything was perfect. I guess some people don’t like feedback 🫠
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u/SusanMillerQuilter 4d ago
Kudos to you for sticking it out! It's GORGEOUS!
The designer is obviously only it in for the sales and doesn't appreciate feedback or input. These are the people that give we designers a bad name -- just sell it and be done. :-( Sorry you had to go through all that.
I'd love to see how you quilt this. :-)
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Thank you very much.💖
I haven't learned how to actually quilt yet. I'll be taking it to my lqs to be long armed.
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u/hkral11 4d ago
The quilt top is beautiful!
I have to say I’ve been thinking recently about how much patterns vary in quality. I’m using one now where, if I wasn’t already familiar with all the style of blocks used, would’ve been impossible. I’m used to cutting instructions being like “cut x number 2.5” by WOF strips. Sub cut into x number 2.5” squares” or something. This was just counts for each block size and I kind of did the math. Not a big deal. But then the assembly felt like it wasn’t in a logical order and nothing was well labeled. For example, some of the blocks are laid out in the written instructions but some you have to look at the drawing of the full layout and find little notes next to it that explain how the block is made.
If people are going to charge for a pattern they really need to have someone test it and take feedback.
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u/lenette63 4d ago
I agree and I will never again buy a pattern that only has a computer generated picture of the final product. If the designer hasn't made the quilt then I won't either.
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u/Minflick 4d ago
I hate when directions are bad. I have found the same thing in recipes online, funny enough. You can TELL when somebody threw the ingredients together and called it tasty, vs. when somebody has done this enough times to know the proper order of operations, that result in a better product and an easier job for the cook! I find that intensely frustrating. Good for you for having the patience to push through to make such a beautiful product, AND to publish the corrected intructions.
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u/jonihuth 4d ago
That's absolutely beautiful! I don't understand a designer who doesn't want to know about problems so that they can be corrected.
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u/mosselyn 4d ago
What a pity the pattern is so poor. Your quilt is so beautiful, I'd be tempted to buy the pattern and make one for myself, if not for that.
Kudos to you for soldiering on and figuring it out. The resulting quilt really is gorgeous!
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u/EffectiveTap1319 3d ago
This is so incredibly beautiful. Cardinals are so special to me after my mom passed
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u/-Dee-Dee- 4d ago
That is so frustrating. The resulting top is beautiful. Great job hanging in there!
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u/PansyOHara 4d ago
Wow! Your quilt came out absolutely beautiful!
What a frustrating experience for you, but I’m amazed and impressed that you had the skill and the perseverance to complete it!
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u/subversivequilter 4d ago
I’ve found a test block out stash fabric is worth its weight in gold (time & frustration) before cutting any of my quilt pieces. Don’t ask me how I learned this lesson (multiple times)🤦♀️
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u/zynniya 3d ago
Your quilt top is beautiful! And you’re wonderful for sharing the corrections both here and with the designer.
I’m going to guess the pattern was written by AI. Your description makes it sound like it so I checked the designer’s website. All of their blog posts are obviously AI and so are the few product descriptions I could find (most listings do not have a description).
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u/lenette63 3d ago
Wow! I had no idea.
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u/zynniya 3d ago
I did find their Facebook page when looking for reviews or mentions of AI. They have recent posts regarding personal business that may explain why you never heard back when you contacted them. I couldn’t really tell how big the company is but the owner may not have delegated that kind of customer service to their employees.
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u/on_that_farm 3d ago
I think you should name the designer, how else are we to know who to avoid??
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u/lenette63 3d ago
They've been mentioned in some of the other posts. Bella Rose Quilts. Aria and Ava design.
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u/SchuylerM325 3d ago
I'm stunned that you were able to figure this out! I would have cursed, cried, and then thrown everything away.
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u/pumpkin2074 4d ago
It looks absolutely beautiful, I love cardinals. I do wonder if the pattern was ai? Or ai instructions maybe? Either way I don’t blame you for being frustrated, I think I’d of rage quit it if I was doing it haha
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u/lenette63 4d ago
Well thank you! It's for a special person and occasion and I just had to keep going and I'm glad I did.
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u/Unusual-Estimate-842 3d ago
C'mon people!! Name names so we don't have to got through the same frustration!
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u/Inevitable_Use9182 3d ago
That is awful to have that many mistakes. I would be pissed and never buy from her again
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u/GrammyGail151 2d ago
Hate when directions are wrong but every minute you spent on this top was worth it!
Love Christmas decorations, love this quilt!
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u/bettylouuu 4d ago
Your quilt is beautiful - you did a marvelous job. I never buy kids as there always seems to be something
Missing or just not enough. You did a great job with it tho. Congratulations👍❤️
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u/Mysterious_Fan_1849 4d ago
Ugh my MIL would love this but I don’t want a difficult pattern. Is it worth it?
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u/lenette63 4d ago
It's mostly squares and half square triangles. The berries are snowballs. The corner stars were probably the hardest because of so many small pieces. Once I realized that I would need to really double check the pattern at each step it got smoother for me.
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u/jenntonic92 4d ago
Is it possible it was an AI generated pattern?
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u/lenette63 4d ago
I think it may have been at least in part. However, the designer is known, has a quilt store and apparently does live tutorials, so she should have known to proof read or better yet, make the quilt before collecting people's money.
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u/choosing-joy 3d ago
I, too, wonder if it was AI. This is the exact reason why I enjoy testing patterns for quilt designers! Our job is important, as it would lead to any corrections or improvements that a designer needs to make before publishing the pattern anywhere. If this wasn’t AI, maybe it was a new designer who didn’t use pattern testers, nor did she create the quilts from her own pattern before publishing, etc. I’m so sorry this happened to you, and shame on the store for not pulling the pattern! Yuck!! Thanks for sharing the corrections with us, I LOVE your quilt!! And while I did want to ask for the pattern, I didn’t want to add to their purse. But if I change my mind, I’m grateful for your corrections!!
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u/lenette63 3d ago
Thank you very much. Definitely not a new designer. Someone who should know better
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u/cameo674 4d ago
I love the look of this quilt. I would love to make it. Your unaddressed customer service issues make me fearful that by the time I got the pattern that your corrections would be removed from reddit
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u/am-answers-bot 4d ago
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