Your feedback: New patterns more often?

I think there are advantages to both strategies. I do like how releasing them as a set encourages me to think about how the patterns work in tandem as a wardrobe and how it creates a climatic unveiling! That said, you often use existing patterns in your photo shoots with the new items. Hmm.

I’m very mixed on this topic, as I am thinking from both a customer and as a shop manager. As as customer, I agree that the Sewaholic method of releasing them throughout the year is nice, and I appreciate it from the patternmaking side of things that this would allow you to go big with each release. But from a shop manager side, this is much harder. As it is now, I can order your newest patterns twice a year and stock up a bunch and pay for shipping once. When it’s time to restock, I consider how close it is to your next possible release and time it accordingly. With the multiple release option, I’ve had many occasions where I order from Sewaholic to restock the shop, only to have a new pattern announced a week or so later after my order, which leaves me with the dilemma of either ordering and paying for shipping again or wait to order the newest pattern during my next restocking opportunity. I know direct to customers are the main issue here, but I would consider how to handle your retailers! Just my two cents Sarai :)

I agree– More releases would be more fun and easier on my budget. (But I do empathize with small businesses trying to keep stock on hand–I’m grateful when they carry independent patterns.)

I too vote for release of patterns more frequently. I’ve only purchased one Colette pattern because most of the styling and presentation is too young for me. The one pattern I did purchase was due to another over-40 hobby sewer who used the pattern to create an age-appropriate look for my age demographic. I’d like to see you take extra time with pattern making and show styling for the 20s, 30s, and over 40s age demographics. It may be that you’re not aiming at the over-40 age demographic but please note that are many of us who still want to be fashionable and we’re looking for options!

I love this idea–no reason to tie your releases to the old/more traditonal? schedule. I say a more spaced release could be more fun and more practical, perhaps even more compelling as some other comments have suggested. Try it out, I think there is nothing to lose.

I would agree with all the argument expressed here about why this idea of yours is excellent. Please do so!

I’m in agreement with what most everyone else said here – space out the releases! I agree, it’s easier on the wallet at the time of release, and it helps budget time, as well. The only drawback is I like to see a season’s worth of patterns in one photo shoot, so I can see how well the pieces work together, but you have so many lovely patterns in the mix already that it will be nice to see how they work with your new patterns (example – I loved the way you styled the Meringue skirt in your book with the Sencha blouse). :)

I was just thinking about this the other day – I thought about when your next release would be due, and it made me sad that I had to wait 4 more months to see your new designs! :) Hehehehe..

yes please! great idea!!!

I’d love to get some every couple months. it’s hard waiting only twice a year. Then when they are released I feel more overwhelmed. Having one every few months gives us more to look forward to and time to work on each pattern.

I will jump on the bandwagon and say, yes to more frequent single pattern releases! For many of the same reasons mentioned: I would appreciate being able to focus on one pattern at a time; I love the idea of seeing various different styling/fabric/age options for any given pattern; and we’d get to have a more regular flow of Colette patterns over the year. Your patterns are so well thought through I can only imagine that the individual attention for each release would only improve the whole experience. Often I don’t “see” a pattern until someone else makes it. If the release had many different versions in a photo shoot, and especially for different ages, I believe I would better be able to “see” it.

As a store owner I agree with Christine, I have had the issue of just placing a stock order only to have a new pattern announced just after, and, as I am based in Australia shipping is more expensive so I am often forced to wait until i need to re-stock again which means I miss out on the business. I can also see how spreading out the pattern releases is less overwhelming for the customer and perhaps showcases the product better. Perhaps have a release schedule so store owners have a rough idea of a pattern release date and can plan orders accordingly?

Yes please! I love the idea of seeing each new pattern in more variations and also the extra excitement created my ‘more’ releases.

More patterns more often!!!! (like a kid in a candy store)

Yes. This. Do it. :)

I came late to the party, but I agree with everyone else. More frequent patterns give us a chance to focus, and if you do an industry release schedule for the shop owners hopefully they can coordinate their ordering/stocking in line with the release schedule.

I will say as far as styling on other people/body types, I do love your flickr photos on the bottom of each pattern in the shop. I think this is super helpful to see how other people treated the same pattern. Maybe you could pick a few to really highlight that span different ages and body types (and fabric?) to show the versatility of the pattern. Just a thought :)

I like the idea of releasing the patterns throughout the year – this way, I am less indecisive and acutally choose a pattern, fabric, and project, and start to sew right away.

I also think that if a solo pattern had images of various models wearing customizible options, such as a wider skirt vs. slim skirt, different sleeves, various necklines, etc, it would showcase all the styling options — day wear, evening, summer wear, fall wear. The more I see different versions of a pattern, the more versatle and unique it appears as different people put their personal stamp 0n it — so to speak.

I also wanted to add that it would be so fun have a weekly ‘versions’ of a pattern connected to themes/ colours — the striped versions could post their finished pattern, the florals, an ode to a colour — maybe this seems too specific, but if different sewists can take turns ‘hosting’ a pattern, it may work — hope this makes sense.

I would love to see more frequent releases of just a single pattern instead of collections coming out all at once. Collections are great for actual garments, where color, shape etc. has already been decided by the designer, but from a customer’s point of view, there isn’t much need for patterns to come in collections. You are not bound by semi-annual deadlines for shows or magazine publications, so you really don’t have to follow their schedule. But personally, I would appreciate if you could publish the time consuming patterns early in the season and simpler patterns later on. Last year, the Anise coat pattern arrived too late in the season for me to want to take on a Fall coat (and it’s too short to function as a winter coat for me here in Denmark). I know you cannot please everybody, so it’s just an example. I love your patterns and can’t wait to see what you come up with this year.

Yes, more patterns more often would be great!

Patterns throughout the year would be much more fun as we could enjoy them one at a time. I prefer to work on just one or two things at a time so as not to end up with too much to do. Feeling overwhelmed is not good around here.

I get the feeling that a staggered release is a good business idea, just based on the fact that so many clothing retailers (Zara being the most obvious) have moved from the traditional seasonal releases to getting in a few new items everyday. This keeps the customer coming back for more more frequently to see what’s new.
There are many differences between the clothing and sewing industries of course, but they may just be on to something…

I really like this idea. I think it might also encourage us to buy the patterns, when you release three at once and we have a budget you have to choose between the patterns, but if you release monthly it would be kind of like a pay day treat.

Absolutely!

I would love to have new patterns to look forward to more frequently throughout the year. Plus it will be easier to pace out the sewing frenzy that ensues after each pattern release.

Love your patterns and your blog!

Cheers,
Gretchen

I’d LOVE for you to release your patterns more often. I do like the idea of your 6 monthly seasonal collections, but as several people have said above, budget-wise and sewing time-wise, to spread them out would mean I’d be much more likely to buy and make more of them.

I am all for releasing a group of patterns seasonally. You can keep up the interest between the pattern releases by doing sew-a-longs – starting with the most complex patterns at the beginning of the season to allow us to actually make them before the weather changes again! As for what patterns I would like to see – more woven tops using minimal yardage (I know this is a pipe dream).

I love this idea – it would probably mean I would start and finish more projects, as it wouldn’t feel so daunting if they were one by one (plus, I get easily distracted!) x