Wednesday, July 08, 2009

20 Years of Designs


I saw this pattern for sale on Ebay today, and it sent me on a trip down memory lane. You see, this pattern is special to me; it is a pattern that I know and love very well.
This was my very first published design.
20 years ago, this "Framed Flower Basket" was on the cover of Annie's Crochet Newsletter No. 40, the July/August '89 issue. I was so thrilled to actually be published, and to have my design on the cover of the magazine was almost overwhelming. I also had another design in this issue, a night gown yoke in filet called "Flower Filet Nightgown" on page 44.
I look at this picture and I still think it is a pretty good design; if I designed it today I know there are things that I would do differently, but hopefully that just shows that I have grown in skill with time.
It seems so long ago (and in fact it was!) that I nervously walked into the Annie's Design Department in Big Sandy, carrying a black trash bag full of my crochet designs. I met with Deborah Hamburg, who was the head of the Design Department at that time, and showed her what I had brought in. She looked at my designs, and asked me lots of questions about the stitches I had used and where I came up with the ideas. I know now that she was making sure that I actually did design and crochet them; after all she didn't know me from Adam, and I heard later that they had had some problems with people trying to sell designs that did not belong to them. Anyway, she asked me to leave everything with her so she could show them to someone else (I always wondered if it was Annie herself, I never did find out who it was). 
The next day I got a phone call; they bought everything that I had brought in, and had some ideas for some more designs they would like me to make for them.
My career was launched, I was a crochet designer. My dream was coming true.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

That is a very pretty pattern! You are an incredibly talented lady. I think I say that everytime I comment here, don't I? LOL!

Thank you for sharing your story about your start in crochet design. That's really neat. :)

Rosa Goncalves said...

Olá Amiga estou encantada com seu blog com trabalhos lindossss já o inseri na minha lista , a amiga se quiser pode seguir o meu.
Braço bejucasss
Rosa Goçalves

DandiCreations said...

Thanks for sharing that with us Ann. I love coming here and hearing your stories.

Diana

Ann said...

Thank you, TattingChic! I wonder what a tatted basket of flowers would look like? I"ll bet you could make a gorgeous one if you wanted to.

Hi Rosa! I visited your pretty blog, and I am a follower now!

Thank you Hookedonthread! It is such a blessing to be able to connect with other "threadies". It is talented crocheters like you who give my designs life!

Barbara said...

Oh my, that is so pretty! I bet that was a thrilling moment in your life.

Ana Luisa said...

I've been a fan/follower of Annie's Attic since the 80's, even have some of the smallish booklets that were for sale back then (I still have them, except for one).
To read about your accomplishments and success, is awesome, well done on your designing.

Ann said...

Thank you, Barb! Yes, it was very exciting. It was something that I had only dreamed of!

Hi Ana Luisa! I have always loved Annie's patterns, too. I was fortunate to live only about 15 miles from her offices in Big Sandy, so it was easy for me to take my designs in. I have a large collection of AA patterns, but I am always searching ebay for ones I might have missed.

mishap said...

Oh, Oh, I have the particular magazine--guess I have been around awhile too.

crochethuahua said...

I love the story and the pattern! Every time I get an Annie's Attic catalogue I look for your designs and show them to my husband Robert.

Ann said...

You know, Mishap, what really makes me feel old is when I see things that I designed listed on Ebay as "antique!" For some reason "vintage" doesn't bother me, but I don't want to think I am old enough to have designed an antique!

Thanks Crochethuahua! Tell Robert I envy you every time I have to block a doily!

Marie said...

I enjoyed seeing your patterns. In this post, I saw what you said about a yoke for a nightgown. I have a yoke framed that my grandmother made for a gown for one of her daughters. I am so pleased to have this beautiful work framed and hanging over the chest in our guest bedroom. I look for to seeing more from you.