Mar 7, 2017

Sometimes writing things out is a good way to think through stuff and I definitely feel that way about what I wrote last night.

I woke up this morning feeling a little defeated about the whole thing, but also just had a lot more clarity about pursuing an all-fabric version. It’s limiting in the sense that I can’t use any metal or plastic parts, but liberating in the sense that I wouldn’t be relying on other companies for the parts and pieces I need for my own products. Nor would I be relying on those companies choosing to share the compliance information with me that I’d need to get from them on a yearly basis.

I also like that it gives the people buying my patterns a lot more freedom to make the pages their own. They can use whatever kind of fabric or felt they want to and won’t have to go hunting down a bunch of different pieces (which can also get expensive if you’re not buying it as a kit).

And it also means that I can label and market the patterns and kits as being appropriate for all ages, rather than having to say that they’re only for ages three and up. It means some more work for me up front to come up with a few more new designs for pages and tweak some of my previous designs, but overall I think it’ll be a more stable path with a lot more personal freedom and peace of mind.

Anyway, with all that in mind, I went to the fabric store today and bought some of the high quality fabric I’m going to use for the page backings so I can start working on some actual sample pages that, with any luck, I can use in the final patterns. I made a new page this afternoon and I’m really happy with the way it turned out. It’s simple and sweet, but also really timeless and inviting of open-ended imaginative play.

Plus, between you and me, the pages without any plastic buttons or other pieces just look a lot nicer. Maybe this is tooting my own horn a bit much, but in my mind the all-fabric pages are more potterbarn kids/martha stewart/land of nod and less, I dunno, etsy shop tacky? I mean I like the other pages I’ve made. They’re fun. I’m just saying these all-fabric pages I made have a more timeless design overall and I think, as a result, will have a longer shelf life. And in that sense I’m just more happy with them as the creator.

So, full steam ahead on trying to figure out some all fabric versions. Maybe this will even mean I’ll be able to get things ready for sale a little faster too. Wish me luck!