After hours, days, weeks of staring at a computer screen writing sewing instructions, checking over diagrams and tweeking photos, we simply don’t see it anymore. And that is were you, our beloved pattern tester comes in. Before we release a new pattern, we’ll send it off to a select group of sewers to get it tested. And then …. we impatiently wait for their feedback to reach our mailbox. Your eagle eyes and sewing experience avoid many typos we didn’t spot! If you’ve ever wanted to pattern test, and you just love to correct typos, then read on…
Do pattern testers get paid?
No, they do not. Pattern testing is something you love to do. You get the pdf-pattern for free. You do, however, also get a lot of love and appreciation from us, as wel as any relevant social media shout outs and public displays of affection!
What do we expect from a pattern tester?
First of all, a pattern tester is a confident sewist with solid experience working from a sewing pattern. You need to have the time to look through the pattern, sew it up and provide feedback within 3-4 weeks after sending it out. You don’t need to have a blog or thousands of followers on Instagram or Facebook, although decent some photografic skills are appreciated so we can admire
and share our testers’ creations.
What does a pattern tester do?
Testing a sewing pattern is not just about sewing. The kind of feedback we’re after is mostly technical – do the instructions make sense? Could anything be more clearly explained, or is it unnecessarily long-winded? Are there any typos? Are there any notches/size markings/information missing from the pattern pieces? Do the notches and seams match up? Did you enjoy sewing the pattern? That kind of stuff. We are not really looking for feedback on the design. Mostly because that is a very subjective issue and one that remains our call (and of course, too late to change once it is in the testing stage!). A pattern tester always get to see the sample images or a sketch of the pattern needing to be tested beforehand, so if the design isn’t your cup of tea, by all means you’re free not to test it!
Do pattern testers have to be based in the Netherlands?
No, our test patterns are PDF downloads. So you can be anywhere in the world and we’ll email you the pattern file. However, you do need to be fluent in English in order to be able to properly proofread the instructions. The test pattern will be accompanied by English sewing instructions. Once the pattern is tested and approved, Dutch sewing instructions will become available. But not in the testing phase…..
Do pattern testers have to be a “sample size”?
Not at all, in fact the more variety we can get to test a pattern, the better! Our menswear patterns are multisized XS to XXL (European menswear sizes 40 – 64, that is US menswear sizes 32 – 50) and it is important to us that our patterns fit and flatter as many shapes and sizes as possible. We’d also love to hear if any alterations are needed, and if so, how easy they are to apply to the pattern. So you don’t need to be proportionate to our sizing chart either….
Why are we looking for pattern testers?
Because we don’t have any pattern testers yet! Sleeves & Legs is a brand new pattern company that specializes in modern menswear for (t)all men. When it comes to pattern testing, we believe in the more, the marrier!
So what patterns do you have in store for us?
Spoilers! But we can reveal that we have two patterns in the prepping, one to be released in August (and will be ready for testing in the July/August period) and the second on be to be released in October/November.
Yes please, I’d like to be a pattern tester! What do I do?
Drop us a line at info@sleevesandlegs.com – let us know a little bit about youself, your sewing experience and any images of recent makes or links to your blog/Instagram/Facebook if you have. It is also helpfull for us to know the measurements of the man you’re going to sew the pattern for. That way we can be sure to test a broad spectrum of shapes and sizes as possible.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
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