New color swatches

This weekend I worked on a project I have been wanting to do for awhile.  It involved a lot of photography, editing, and tediousness, but I'm happy to have created a new selection of color swatches!

 

To compare, this is what my swatches looked like before.

 I think the new graphic does a much better job of comparing colors to each other and hopefully is clear.  I found the best results by photographing 4-6 at a time and editing them together before cropping into the correct size.  That way I got the correct colors in relation to other ones. 

In other news, I bought a new photography studio setup.  I bought a little mini backdrop stand, which is awesome, as well as a white backdrop.  I have another backdrop coming in the mail for me to experiment with.  I also bought two softboxes.  I like the light they give off.  It's diffused and easy to change around. I'm still experimenting with light direction.

 Here is an example of a picture with these lights.  I like this one a lot.

Looking for sewing pattern testers

I have slowly been preparing my patterns for publication, and the first of my patterns is almost ready for testers!  I am just waiting on a scanner so I can scan in the shapes for pattern pieces.  I've already sent this pattern to my first tester, but I had to send her dimensions only, so I'd like to have the scanner before I send it out to other testers.

 This barrel-style clutch with flap is my first pattern. This is my most popular purse and I am happy to offer it as a PDF.

 It can be tricky because you have to sew through several layers of interfacing, including double-sided fusible peltex, the heaviest interfacing.  I use two layers, and that can be finicky.

So if you are interested in being a tester for this clutch, please let me know.  Leave a comment with your email or email me at toriskabags (at) gmail . com

 

I already have written my patterns instructions for three other styles, but I need to take pictures and edit those before offering them.

 Some of my supplies are expensive to buy unless you buy in bulk, so I am willing to send my testers a frame and squares of interfacing to make things easier on them.

 I have never written or sold patterns before, so I'm really hoping to have 5-10 testers for each pattern before I publish them on Etsy.  I'd like testers who have experience in testing patterns and/or sewing purses. Most of my patterns are not suitable for beginners, but are still not too difficult.