Am I being silly?

[Former_Member]

I have added a new product to my shop and have a question. Apart from photo prints and photo greeting cards I have added two cross stitch patterns based on photographs. I am currently stitching a third and hope to get it listed in the next week. Personally, I like the idea of stitching the pattern before selling. I wonder if that is actually necessary. I have seen a bunch of cross stitch patterns for sale that I highly doubt have been tested out by the seller. Am I being silly wanting to make the project before selling the pattern? I hope I am making sense.

[Former_Member]

As a buyer I would like the idea of it being tested out first, so I like that you prefer to test it. However if you are confident that done correctly it will come out fine then it's likely not necessary.

[Former_Member]

It's probably a good idea - if you don't have time, could you get another friend test them?

[JustForGiggles]

I'm an embroiderer and I have to see the design stitches out before I buy. How else am I supposed to know if it Works??? I don't think you're being silly at all. In fact, you're being thorough. I like that :)

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I think it's a good idea for two reasons.

1. You're actually testing it to make sure everything is correct.
2. You can show a finished sample with the listing.

[MADSBEAR]

Certainly not being silly.I would say yay to testing.I sell crochet patterns and I know I worry about some small mistake being there if I don't test it.Its nice to have another person test them since they bring a fresh pair of eyes.(I did try to get my patterns tested initally by other people but then one lady took forever to test my pattern and I was just starting out.Considering that it would have taken only 3-4 hours to make the doll,even after two - three months, the "volunteer" was giving excuses .Finally I just started doing the testing myself.Trust me,it gives you peace of mind.

[Former_Member]

I wouldn't buy a pattern for something without knowing what the end result looks like. So I think I would like to see a picture of your finished piece in with the listing.

[Former_Member]

Of course the patterns should be tested before being put up for sale. That only makes good business sense.

For every pattern that I write, I test it out myself at least a dozen times.

Then I pass it over to my tester group who also tests the pattern.

I do this so that the instructions are written clearly and that I've not missed any steps.

My customers appreciate that my patterns are written to the currently accepted design standards.

[Former_Member]

Thanks all. I feel better now that I am not wasting my time. I was afraid that maybe I was.

[Quiltwear]

The best way to see if something works is to try it. I bet your customers will appreciate it too.

Be sure to add in the description that it was tested by you.