THE OOPSIE PAGE

I have an OOPSIE page on this website.

I really dislike that I even have such a page… that I have to tell you that it exists…that I have to update it occasionally…and that it probably doesn’t even have ALL of the oopsies on it!!

But, now that you know about it’s existence, I need to let you know that I just added one more entry to the page for the recently released Well Rounded chart.

ugh

How does an OOPSIE happen?

Most stitchers are gracious to say, ‘it happens, no problem’. For those of you who are wondering just how in the heck something like that happens (& this is, by no means, an excuse) – here is a peek into the journey of a design, specifically – Well Rounded.

• design 2 separate pieces to experiment with the finishes about 4 years ago – sketch, chart, pick colors, order linen, order floss, stitch, change color, re-order floss, re-stitch, make a note on your chart, go back to computer to change master chart with design changes, change colors on master chart, finish in candle pan, find ribbon, pins & woolfelt to embellish finish, make a pattern for the woolfelt leaf, photograph, edit photo, export all images (photos, charts, patterns, color key & instructions) to graphics software to assemble chart. Proof. Double check spelling, floss numbers symbols, decide 2 symbols are too close in shape, go back to software to change, repeat steps 5-9. Proof again. Print, assemble kits, take to event, cross fingers that stitchers like the design & finish.
• 3-4 years goes by
• decide that you are finally ready to expand on the 2 experimental designs, story board it & sketch out 10 more pieces to create a collection with a new and updated finish. Contact dyers within the industry to see if they would go along on this journey with you!
• sketch, chart, pick colors…sound familiar? This time it’s not just 2 unrelated designs but now 12 that all need to ‘go’ together but be individual as well.
• by the time I get to the model stitching, my computer screen is so filled with images & my project files are full of 1st through 5th renditions, that I really consider whether I could use a 55″ monitor (trust me on this, I HAVE looked into it!)
• decide that this will indeed be one of the coveted ‘Market Releases’…(that’s a whole different topic of discussion for sure)
• finalize colors with not 1 but 2 dyers, stitch a color test, change colors, stitch again, finally ready to head off to model stitchers (let me tell you…I have the BEST model stitchers!) Pull the latest rendition of the designs & color key off the printer & ship away…ease your mind that all is good & it’s time to turn your attention to the next 4 designs that I’m working on. (unbeknownst to me, this is where my latest oopsie was created)
• the models return back to me & I am elated to see that they turned out exactly as they looked in my head
• finish the models, stopping every step to take at least 3 photographs to document the process for the tutorial
• photograph the cover, edit, export all the images – this part should sound familiar, but let me tell you, spellcheck won’t tell you that 301 really should be 310.
• I keep a mental list of every detail that needs to be updated and checked for each chart: cover, inventory number (in 3 places), copyright information, directions, finishing instructions, stitch count, linen, threads, substitute threads, charms, add-ons, sources, stitch counts, color key, etc…
• When I make an OOPSIE (& we obviously know that I can make them) it tends to be something new in the process & yet another point in the long list of ‘things to check’ before committing to the printer.

So, why am I going on about the process? Because, the chart for the smallest Autumn design in the Well Rounded pattern does not match the cover piece…I was too quick on the draw to print what I thought was the final design and send it to my models stitcher – it was not! THAT was definitely a new one on me!! Personally, I think both look great, but for your reference, the correction is located on the OOPSIE page.

2018 was a horrible year for OOPSIE’S. We corrected the sails in 2019 and hope to end this crazy year – 2020 – on a good note!

Thank you for taking the time to read this narrative & hopefully you have a better understanding how the process is ripe with opportunities to add to my OOPSIE page!! 😉

 

Cathy, Hands On Design