Okay everybody I hear that you are anxious about being able to have the pattern for An Old Fashioned Christmas. In answer to your questions I am going to be completely honest.
When I first started to publish books and patterns there were only a few designers who were working with applique. A new book or pattern received exposure to the market for at least a year, or even longer, thus the costs associated with producing a new work was relatively easily recovered.
In recent years the quilt market has become flooded with books and patterns—a large percentage of them are for applique quilts. The life-span of a new design these days is six months at best. (And this is a Christmas quilt which shortens it’s life span even more.) With such a short time of good exposure it is difficult to recoup the cost of producing a well-presented publication. The cost to produce a pattern/book has continued to rise over the years making it more expensive than ever to put out a quality publication.
It is a quirk of mine that I am unable to cut corners and simply throw together a batch of patterns and publish them in an unprofessional format. If it is worthy of publication, it is worth doing well.
So there you have it, I am not trying to keep from sharing the Christmas quilt patterns with you. I have to be sensible about business and at this point I am uncertain about the financial risk of publishing this design. The patterns are not easy and they are not meant to be made in a day. How much of a market is there for them really?
Janet Farley Says:
July 24th, 2008 at 8:38 pmVisit Janet Farley
Jeana,
Do you not realize you have this following that just waits for what you publish next? I own every book that you have written and some I have duplicate copies of because I admit I am hard on my books-repeatedly read, well-thumbed, notes written on pages to name a few of my uses (or misuses!)
People scramble for copies of your out-of-print books because your pattens speak to our hearts and hamds from you.
How did you supply the patterns to those that were lucky enough to be in your workshop? Could you not do that for those of us that are “begging” and charge a fair (to you) price for us to pay. Then when you are ready to publish or put it into book form I intend to be first in line for a copy then also.
This quilt will no doubt become a classic just like your Oxmoor House Christmas quilt and just look how many people were trying to obtain it and the price they were asking. The market may be crowded but most of what is available is “quick fix” and that is NOT what I want to accomplish.
Please, please, Jeana, we love you and your work!!!!!
Janet
JudyC Says:
July 25th, 2008 at 12:26 amVisit JudyC
WOW, I just love seeing your work. I’ve seen how you baste right along the turn under line and I’d be lucky to have 1/4 of your talent…and I do a lot of applique. but your tiny pieces are just amazing. I love looking at these blocks. I understand the issue of cost and such and you are right that only a very dedicated person would attempt this whole quilt. Have you thought of doing the downnload-able patterns? Some do and charge for them on a per piece basis. I did my last big applique quilt that way.
Val Champ Says:
July 25th, 2008 at 6:26 amVisit Val Champ
Jeana, I also would be interested in your Christmas pattern, perhaps a downloadable version is a good idea. Buying patterns this way is the wave of the future I believe, and although we are on dialup still..your line drawings are skilled and easy to follow. I absolutely love what I have seen of this quilt so far.
A loyal follower,
Val
Sue Says:
July 25th, 2008 at 10:55 amVisit Sue
I agree! I’m not looking for a quickie project and would be willing to pay to download a pattern. I think we are tired of paying for simple quick patterns and want something to challenge us! I can always count on your books and patterns to be worth the cost and time – Sue
Mary Says:
July 25th, 2008 at 5:06 pmVisit Mary
In this hurry-up throw away world, I have to echo what the other women are saying. I love your patterns just because they ARE NOT quick, make-it-in-a-weekend kind of project. My escape from the hectic world I live in becomes just such projects. Maybe epatterns should be considered? I’m at the stage of my life where I don’t need to waste my time on things that look like it only took a couple of days to make. I want to make heirlooms! Mary
Denise S. Says:
July 25th, 2008 at 5:57 pmVisit Denise S.
I really hope there is some way you can make these patterns available. I too have all your patterns and books, and just looking at them makes me happy. Your work is amazing and inspirational to those of us who love handwork.
gena holland Says:
July 26th, 2008 at 10:51 amVisit gena holland
I so hope that you can find some way to make this pattern available to the public. I’ve waiting it seems like forever to be able to see and hopefully get it. I too love all of your patterns and so enjoy every minute that it takes to make one come to life. your patterns are truly gifts for a lifetime. I’m saying my prayers that a way will be found to make them available to the public. Thanks for doing what you do.
Barbara France Says:
July 26th, 2008 at 10:59 amVisit Barbara France
i hope there is a solution to the problems of publication. I, too, have almost everything you have published plus a few patterns from classes I’ve been lucky to attend and I would hate to miss out on the excitement of all the new designs you come u with.
I have downloaded applique patterns and the quilt gets finished just the same as if I’d started with a book. This could be a wonderful way to get your designs out to those who want challenging and rewarding designs from you.
Sylvia Says:
July 27th, 2008 at 10:00 pmVisit Sylvia
Hi Jeana: I also hope you can find a way to offer these wonderful patterns to us. Your patterns are ones that I make because I want to have quilts that are not quick finishes, but rather are quilts that will become heirlooms to my family. I appreciate your sharing your talents with us. I will watch your site to see if you come up with a way to sell them to us.
Olive Says:
July 31st, 2008 at 8:30 pmVisit Olive
Dear Jeana WE( here in Albuquerque) think your Old Fashion Christmas is the very Best Christmas applique quilt we have seen.It is not a question of how long it is displayed But how long we as friends get to work on it together, sharing fabrics , hugs,tears,and laughter. No matter where we are this quilt above all will bring treasured memories
Sincerely Olive and Friends
Celia Says:
July 31st, 2008 at 9:23 pmVisit Celia
Jenna,I too love your books,as someone else wrote just to look at them makes you happy.I have just started using your needles also and they are great,I have found my comfort zone with them.’An Old Fashioned Christmas’looks fabo and a piece of work that would be cherished by the maker.You are right about the commercial market place,-a dog eat dog world.Maybe you could begin a ‘limited edition club’ for your work.Just a thought after reading the previous comments,there are some very SAD quilters out there,me being one of them.I do hope you change yuor mind !!!
robin Says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 pmVisit robin
I, too, hope you can resolve the publication dilemma. I have plenty of “quick and easy” patterns and books. I am indeed looking for time involved and heirloom quality projects. Obviously, there is a niche market for this type of project, and you have a loyal following. I do hope a happy resolution is found!
Jeanne Hurst Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 5:43 pmVisit Jeanne Hurst
Thank you for your honesty about the market of quilting books. I would very much appreciate having a chance to purchase the Christmas pattern if you should decide to publish them. They are wonderful. I am tickled that you have not given up on creating. I do miss seeing you, but I understand why you don’t do many classes outside the state of Utah. Please consider publishing this patterns some how.
Annette Johnston Says:
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:12 pmVisit Annette Johnston
Hi Jeana: Ebooks/patterns. What a unique thought for those of us that are “old souls” to start with. I think the ladies have something there. Or, you could do it through Lulu.com which is a great publication option. You *do* have a loyal following, including me. I’m sure you’re seeing the same growth in appliquers that I’ve been seeing over the past 5 years. It’s quite amazing. A really good way to save money is to applique an intricate quilt and this one just calls to my heart, the little I’ve seen of it. *Please* reconsider. We need really top-notch designers and you’re right at the top of my list!
Nancy Dahood Says:
November 4th, 2008 at 2:41 amVisit Nancy Dahood
Jeana: I also have all of your books and patterns including the Oxmoor house Christmas quilt patterns. I don’t know the cost of producing a pattern or book or what the internet difference is but I would be willing as the others to do the internet and then also buy the book/pattern. I so love your work and your patterns. I would have loved to have been at the retreat but life gets in our way sometimes and I really hope you can find a way to publish the pattern. Thanks, Nancy