Would you like to create a personal treasure, but haven't a clue where to start? I would be happy to help you design your own "one of a kind" pattern.
This is how it works:
You can
contact me through the "Information Request
Form" on the How to Order page, be sure to include a general idea of what the subject of your rug will
be. Animal, Vegetable or Mineral is a start! If you can email some
photographs of your subject even better! I love to make patterns of
animals!
I have to tell you about one of the patterns I was asked to make. I love this story!
A woman emailed me and asked if I would consider designing
a custom pattern and creating a kit. She wanted to give her 88 year old
father a winter project for Christmas. He is
a rug hooker and prefers the smaller
cuts of wool. She said that he had often remarked that
he wished he would have hooked a rug of his one-room schoolhouse that he
attended as a boy.
She sent me a couple of photographs of the school house. I sent her back a sketch as a possible pattern idea. She and her sister looked it over and found that it just wasn't what they were looking for. But because she had the sketch she had a starting point and was able to articulate to me what it was that she liked and disliked about the sketch as a pattern. I routinely will sketch out 1 or 2 ideas before we hit on the perfect image. So I was pleased to have her ideas.
From our conversation I came up with the following pattern, when I emailed her this photo of it she was thrilled.
I color planned the rug to be a spring time subject with lots of dappled greens
and blues; the school house being a warm brick red. I cut the wool
into #4 size strips and placed them in numbered bags. A color key that
resembles a "paint by number" drawing was included with the pattern and the bags
of cut wool.
I couldn't wait to see the finished product, but more than that; I hope that this rug will bring that thoughtful daughter's family a heartfelt treasure for years to come.
You are most likely wondering what the price is for this type of service. I charge by the size of pattern. You can look at my other patterns and figure a custom pattern will be the same price according to size. I charge flat $40.00 for a custom design fee; this will include up to 2 preliminary sketches, and the drawing of the color key if needed.
Color planning and custom dyeing is available if required. This cost is variable according to individual needs. Depending upon services needed the whole process of designing your rug can take up to 3 weeks.
Shetland School House picture courtesy of Fred Atkinson, Leland MI